Author Archives: Laura

• Book Review: “Like a River Glorious” by Rae Carson

  Posted at 3:45 am by Laura, on July 10, 2017

  Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson

  Publisher: Greenwillow
  Published: September 2016
  Genre: young adult, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780062242945
  Rating: ★★★

  Lee Westfall survived the dangerous journey to California. She found a new family in the other outcasts of their wagon train, and Jefferson, her best friend, is beginning to woo her shamelessly. Now they have a real home—one rich in gold, thanks to Lee’s magical ability to sense the precious metal in the world around her.

  But Lee’s Uncle Hiram has survived his own journey west. He’s already murdered her parents, and he will do anything to have Lee and her talents under his control. No one is safe. When he kidnaps her, she sees firsthand the depths of his depravity.

  Lee’s magic is changing, though. It is growing. The gold no longer simply sings to her—it listens. It obeys her call. Will that alone be enough to destroy her uncle?

  Lee, Jefferson, and their wagon train settle down in Glory, California, staking their claim in this territory and protecting their land from other squatters and hell-raisers. The group knows of her ability to sense gold, and they do their best to hide their good fortune from outsiders. But Uncle Hiram hears of Lee’s rising fortune, and will stop at nothing to take her hostage and make her work for his mine. Her magic is growing into something more, and Lee attempts to find a way to save herself and the workers, and destroy Hiram and his mine with her new abilities.

  There may be spoilers contained in this review if you have not read the first in this trilogy, Walk on Earth a Stranger. 

  I finally finished the second book in the Good Seer trilogy. It took a while to get through, partly because everything felt hunky-dory perfect in the first third, and partly because it was difficult to see all the hardship, racism, sexism, cruelty, and misogyny. But I’m still interested and invested in this historical Gold Rush fantasy, and I’m looking forward to Into the Bright Unknown in a few months! (Plus, come on, look at these covers.)

  The first third of the novel, the wagon train decides to settle together on a large plot of land they divvy up among themselves. It’s neat to see how they interact with one another, creating their own miniature town with each person pulling their part of the work. It’s not all perfect — weather, attacks, accidents all happen — but the decisions they made together was almost too quick and conveniently agreed upon. No one seemed to have qualms with anything. However, I did like that they took Lee’s secret in stride, and really rally around her when Hiram’s thugs show up and create mayhem.

  The mine is a totally different story. This shed light on another rarely touched upon aspect of American history. I wanted to look away, but I knew I couldn’t. It’s important. We have to know how people were wrongly treated. Indians, blacks, Chinese laborers, everything they went through is true and very cruel. But it happened. I don’t know how Lee was able to hold back her anger — I was bursting with hatred (and a lot of ick-factor chills from Hiram — ughhhh). Lee handled it all so well, and the heist with the secret group in the miners was incredibly epic.

  There is still a bit of a romance plot in here, and still quite minor. But even still, the love between Lee and Jefferson felt natural, and I really like how they came to their decision at the end of this book. It felt perfect and authentic for them, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes in the next book.

  I’m expecting some more on the romance line, an interesting turn of events with California becoming a state, something happening with Hiram thwarting plans in very dangerous ways, fantastic magical growth and skill for Lee, and positive directions for each member of the wagon train. Let’s see what’s in store in a couple months…

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  This qualifies as book 10 of 12 in the Rock My TBR challenge.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017, Rock My TBR | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: historical fiction, genre: young adult, review, rock my TBR

• Book Review: “What to Say Next” by Julie Buxbaum (ARC)

  Posted at 5:25 am by Laura, on July 5, 2017

  What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

  Publisher: Delacorte
  Publishing Date: July 11
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9780553535686
  Rating: ★★★★.5

  Sometimes a new perspective is all that is needed to make sense of the world.

  KIT:I don’t know why I decide not to sit with Annie and Violet at lunch. It feels like no one here gets what I’m going through. How could they? I don’t even understand.

  DAVID:In the 622 days I’ve attended Mapleview High, Kit Lowell is the first person to sit at my lunch table. I mean, I’ve never once sat with someone until now. “So your dad is dead,” I say to Kit, because this is a fact I’ve recently learned about her.

  When an unlikely friendship is sparked between relatively popular Kit Lowell and socially isolated David Drucker, everyone is surprised, most of all Kit and David. Kit appreciates David’s blunt honesty—in fact, she finds it bizarrely refreshing. David welcomes Kit’s attention and her inquisitive nature. When she asks for his help figuring out the how and why of her dad’s tragic car accident, David is all in. But neither of them can predict what they’ll find. Can their friendship survive the truth?

  Kit’s father recently died in a car accident and she’s not ready to handle everyday life just yet. She knows David will be quiet and give her space and peace, so she sits down at his lunch table. David knows Kit’s dad just died, but he doesn’t quite understand why she of all people sat down at his lunch table of all places. The two form an unlikely friendship, with his very literal and honest view of the world and her need for straightforward conversation and understanding. When Kit asks David to help her solve the unsolvable (the hows of the accident), in a semi-rhetorical question for assistance, David will stop at nothing to find the answer. But will their friendship survive the truth?

  I laughed, I cried, I hugged my ereader. There are no words to describe the emotional rollercoaster this put me through. Kit’s situation could’ve easily dived into woe-is-me territory, but her grief was handled so well. Meanwhile David, the one who put me through the rollercoaster, is just trying to understand life and not let his autism get in the way.

  This has so much in it that’s so good and crucial for people to read. The switched perspectives — the “normal” one in grief and finding solace in another, the autistic one learning how to be a friend and finding joy in social interactions — really lent itself to the story. You see the social hierarchy in schools and how easily one can rise and fall. You see teenagers from different families putting loved ones on pedestals and watching parents or siblings not live up to that image, realizing we’re all human. You see the extent of bullying someone for being different, and on the flip-side you see the love and devotion to someone for their unique abilities and brilliant mind.

  I’m in awe. I could go on for ages about how much I wanted to work with autistic children back when I studied psychology (I believe autistic people are brilliant and wonderful and see the world in such beautiful, unique ways), but I’ll not do that. I’ll instead insist that you read this book when it comes out. It’s important that you do. You, too, will be speechless.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Delacorte for review.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, review

• Flipping Through the Pages: Spring Rewind 2017

  Posted at 5:15 am by Laura, on July 3, 2017

  

  Instead of participating in the Monthly Rewind meme, every three months I’ll update the world on my life from the previous season. Enjoy the Seasonal Rewind!

  Through the Lens

  

  

  

  One of my friends had a very lovely, private wedding (or engagement party? She’s having a big to-do this time next year, so it was quasi-engagement party, quasi-wedding because she and her husband signed papers), and the cupcakes were too pretty and delicious not to take a picture! Rossetti has been joining me for a lot of my reading this spring, and I love her company. Finally, The Alice Network was my first 5-star read of the year and I was absolutely blown away by the writing, the story, the characters, the plot…

  Life Highlights

  The biggest news is that I was recently promoted to Associate Literary Agent!

  I talked a little bit about Book Expo in an If We Were Having Coffee post, but I also recently went to ALA! The morning was spent attending as many panels as possible for the library, and the afternoon was spent wandering the exhibit floor and documenting Jared Reck’s first public appearance and galley signing. Big day for this agent/librarian.

  Finally, the Beau and I went on a mini trip to see his friends for a pub crawl. Two couples in the friend group are moving out of state within a few weeks of each other, so we all got together and went on a massive bar crawl. It started off with 7 people, and somewhere in the night we had 25+ total. So much fun — and a mandatory brunch the next day was just what the doctor ordered. It’s so hard when you/your friends move away. They’re going to neat places in the country, so hopefully this means more travel opportunities.

  Tunes on Repeat

  Maybe I should eliminate this bit of the feature, because it’s just not happening for me. I’m not into what’s on the radio (and I’m already missing out on John Mayer’s latest, Ed Sheeran, and the 1D solo boys’ music), I’m listening to audio books for the library in the car, and (to be completely honest) what I have listened to is mostly choral music that most of you aren’t all that interested in. Unless you want to hear something? Let me know. Feast your ears on this, in the meantime.

  Bookmarked in the Community

  1. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro @ Belle of the Literati — For Kelly’s 30th birthday, this adventurer went on her own and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro! Her experience was incredible. Read about it here!
  2. The Intimidating TBR Tag @ The Bookish Beagle — Morgan’s TBR post was both intense and awesome. I fully plan to do this tag at some point (…just like I fully plan to read all those books on the TBR pile at some point…*ducks*)
  3. On My Nightstand @ What Sarah Read — In a similar vein, Sarah started a new feature called On My Nightstand to showcase some books she’s interested in reading immediately.
  4. When the Movie is Better Than the Book @ Writer of Wrongs — Gillian went there. She went there and admitted what we all know to be true: sometimes, the movie is better than the book. *gasp*
  5. Library Dreamin’ @ Alexa Loves Books — What does your dream library look like? I gotta say, my dream library looks a lot like Alexa’s IRL library…

  Popular Posts on Scribbles

  1. Book Review: Hunted by Meagan Spooner (ARC) — I LOVE this book, and it makes me ridiculously happy to see this was such a popular post!
  2. Book Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (ARC) — IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK YOU MUST REMEDY THAT NOW.
  3. If We Were Having Coffee… — This post is always so popular. For random updates, feel free to read my unedited, walls down, conversational post. In this one, I talk about Band of Brothers, Book Expo, Forge of Empires, and my never-ending war with chips and queso.

  Cherished Reads

  

  

  

  

  Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee ★★★★★

  The Alice Network by Kate Quinn ★★★★★

  The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams ★★★★.5

  What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum ★★★★.5 (review to come!)

  Cherished Quotes

  “Why don’t you sit with the others?” I ask her.
  “I find the company of a book much more interesting.”
  — Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

  Emma suffered daily for friends and neighbors. [The Allies] were doing it for strangers, throwing themselves on that beach, slaughtered tillt he sea ran dark, and another wave came, and was slaughtered, and another, whole cities of men. They have never met Emma, she would never meet them, and still another wave.
  It was so humbling, Emma clung to the tree and did not think she could continue to breathe. The weight of their sacrifice might crush her. Here they had died, and up the beach they were still dying, in flocks and willingly for the idea that she, Emma herself, and her friends and family and neighbors, ought to live in freedom. Who on earth deserved such a gift?
  — The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan

  My hands are flapping again. Tears are running down my face. I am losing control.
  Slipping into a vertiginous vortex. I used to think loneliness was being stuck
  with only the one voice in your head. I was wrong.*

  Here’s the thing about making a friend that I didn’t understand before I started talking to Kit: They grow your world. Allow for previously inconceivable possibilities.*
  — *the following quotes taken from uncorrected proof of What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

  Progress Update on Reading Challenges

  Required Library Books: 10 / 22

  The Light Between Oceans || The Husband’s Secret || W is for Wasted
  The Miniaturist || The Astronaut Wives Club || The Burning Room
  Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet || The President’s Shadow
  Orphan Train || Still Life

  Fun Library Books: 8 / 5 // Complete!

  Heart’s Blood || The Bear and the Nightingale || The Silver Gate
  Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies || A Window Opens
  Alex, Approximately || The Baker’s Secret || Troubled Waters

  Flights of Fantasy / Marillier & Gabaldon Challenge: 2 / 9

  Heart’s Blood || Son of the Shadows

  Classics & ReRead: 0 / 2

  Rock My TBR: 10 / 12

  Caraval || You and Me, Always || The Miniaturist
  Son of the Shadows || The Sun is Also a Star || Outrun the Moon
  The Secret Life of Violet Grant || This Adventure Ends || The Alice Network 
  Like a River Glorious

  Impulse Buys: 5 / 5

  You and Me, Always || Flight of Dreams || Wait for Me
  The Hate U Give || The Map That Leads to You

  Overall Challenge: 32 / 50

  Random Obsessions

  On TV: Grantchester is back!

  

  I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF SIDNEY CHAMBERS. He’s making poor life choices so far this season (go AWAY, AMANDA.), but I love him all just the same.

  On Film: I mentioned watching Band of Brothers for the first time in my If We Were Having Coffee post, and weeks later I’m still blown away by the show. So let’s add Wonder Woman to the mix! OH MY GOD. When we left the theater, I said to The Beau, “This must be what it feels like to be a white man!” I FELT POWERFUL AND UNSTOPPABLE. More female superheroes, please!!!

  In the Shopping Bag: Shopping? What is shopping? All my money went to travel, conferences, and hotel fees. Wah wah.

  Miscellaneous: I mentioned it before and I’ll say it again: Forge of Empires. I’m seriously obsessed with this app. People have described it like Sim City, and I can’t tell you if it is or not but I’m enjoying every second of it. Have you played it?

  Looking Towards the Future

  Lots of traveling coming up this summer! In July I’m heading to Nashville for a writers conference. Hope to hear some great pitches while I’m there. In August I’m traveling with The Beau to Iowa to visit family and some of his high school friends. And then in September, Jared’s book publishes! HURRAY! Oh, and it’s wedding season for like…a bazillion people, and I’m really looking forward to dancing many nights away!

  What have you been up to this season / this month? Any new obsessions or good reads or great music? Share some of your favorites here, and let me know if I should check out any great blog posts! 

   

  Posted in books, This Season's Rewind | 3 Comments | Tagged books, personal, recap, rewind, this season's rewind

• Mini Reviews

  Posted at 4:10 am by Laura, on June 28, 2017

  Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn

  Publisher: Ace
  Published: October 2010 
  Genre: fantasy
  Rating: ★★★   
  Summary: Zoe Ardelay receives astonishing and unwelcome news: she has been chosen to become the king’s fifth wife. Forced to go to the royal city, she manages to slip away and hide on the shores of the mighty river. It’s there that Zoe realizes she is a coru prime ruled by the elemental sign of water. She must return to the palace, not as an unwilling bride for the king, but a woman with power in her own right. But as Zoe unlocks more of the mysteries of her blood—and the secrets of the royal family—she must decide how to use her great power to rise above the deceptions and intrigue of the royal court.
  

  Mini Review: So many people have praised Shinn’s writing, and I have to agree. She’s created a brilliant fantasy world, one that feels wholly unique and full and developed. The use of elemental magic isn’t all that original in magical worlds, but the way Shinn used elemental magic for specific individuals in certain families (primes), and others with the spirit of certain elements (like personality descriptors), was really neat. Though I found the court scenes in the second half of the book to be a little dull, I can’t blame Shinn on that — I’m generally not a fan of royal politics. I’m in love with the world enough that I fully plan to read the next book in this series!

  This qualifies as book 8 of 5 library books in 2017.

  Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

  Publisher: William Morrow
  Published: April 2013
  Genre: historical fiction
  Rating: ★★★.5
  Summary: Nearly eighteen, Molly Ayer knows she has one last chance. Just months from “aging out” of the child welfare system, and close to being kicked out of her foster home, a community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping her out of juvie. Vivian Daly has lived a quiet life on the coast of Maine. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past. As Molly helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, she discovers that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.

  Mini Review: I was far more invested in Vivian’s narrative than Molly’s, probably because the book’s historical focus was so fascinating. I’m not as familiar with this moment in American history. How often do we get to read about the Great Depression outside of the major cities? What’s going on in the Midwest, in the heart of the country, with ordinary people? Not only that, but I had no idea the orphan trains began as early as the 1850s. Watching the development of the American foster care system (and adoption system) and seeing how it hasn’t exactly changed too much — more paperwork and regulations does not necessarily mean a better experience — was certainly eye-opening. The story ties up nicely, but truly, I found the historically-set narrative far more engaging. Kline knows how to keep the pages turning!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: historical fiction, mini review, review

• Book Review: “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn

  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on June 22, 2017

  The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

  Publisher: William Morrow
  Published: June 2017
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780062654199
  Rating: ★★★★★

  1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She’s also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie’s parents banish her to Europe to have her “little problem” taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

  1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she’s recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she’s trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the “Queen of Spies”, who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy’s nose.

  Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn’t heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth …no matter where it leads.

  Eve Gardiner’s stutter has held her back for ages. Everyone assumes she’s a half-wit — except for one man who can tell she’s sharp, cunning, and intelligent. She’s recruited to work as a spy in a restaurant run by a collaborator in France, and trained alongside Lili, who manages an entire network of secret agents. Thirty years later, Charlie St. Clair is on a mission to find her missing cousin, and runs away from her mother and their travel plans to get rid of her Little Problem in Switzerland. Recruiting Eve’s assistance, Eve and Charlie work together to find Charlie’s cousin, come to the truth of the disbanding of the Alice Network, and seek revenge on the man who brought these ladies together across the years.

  All the stars. All the awards. I haven’t read historical fiction like this in a long time. The voice, the plot, the structure, the characters…oh my goodness.

  Quinn’s novel is written in parallel narratives across two timelines and in two perspectives. That, I think, is what kept the pages turning and the investment in the characters so deep. There are several parallels between the two wars already, so writing Eve’s storyline in third person and Charlie’s in first person helped differentiate the stories. Eve was also such a firecracker, and Charlie was breaking out of her socialite shell and into who she really is. These women were ahead of their time, and all it took was support and confidence from another encouraging person to help them become their true selves.

  Eve is intelligent and cunning, and utilized her stutter in such a brilliant way as she spied on the German patrons of her creepy boss’s restaurant. The things she went through to pass on messages to Lili and Uncle Edward (the code names of her spy network’s superiors) is just…remarkable. And frightening. To know that so many women in history were spies and did these things and experienced this is just mind-boggling. I cried. Quite often.

  Charlie is a brilliant mathematician, but no one will take her seriously as a single woman. She’s constantly thwarted in her efforts without a husband by her side. After meeting Eve and working alongside her in her mission to find her beloved cousin, Charlie musters up the courage to forge her own path in life, consequences, leaps of faith, and all.

  What struck me most about this novel was the power of female bonds. So many fierce women are in here, and while they do not all get along with one another, they understand how difficult it is (especially in this time in history) to simply live life as a woman. The consequences of speaking one’s mind or standing up for oneself, dealing with abuse or torture or pregnancy, and being used or abandoned are some of the issues all women faced. Women, in history and now, understand this unspoken bond of sisterhood through adversity. It was powerful. This novel made it all the more moving.

  If you love WWI and WWII stories about fierce women facing all sorts of hardship and adversity and rising above it all, this is for you.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, review

• Book Review: “This Adventure Ends” by Emma Mills

  Posted at 4:45 am by Laura, on June 19, 2017

  This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills

  Publisher: Henry Holt BFYR
  Published: October 2016
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9781627799355
  Rating: ★★★★

  Sloane isn’t expecting to fall in with a group of friends when she moves from New York to Florida—especially not a group of friends so intense, so in love, so all-consuming. Yet that’s exactly what happens.

  Sloane becomes closest to Vera, a social-media star who lights up any room, and Gabe, Vera’s twin brother and the most serious person Sloane’s ever met. When a beloved painting by the twins’ late mother goes missing, Sloane takes on the responsibility of tracking it down, a journey that takes her across state lines—and ever deeper into the twins’ lives.

  Sloane was something of an outsider in New York, and she liked it just fine. But she attracts the attention of Vera, a smart and glamorous social media star, and her twin brother Gabe, a rather broody and sarcastic boy. Soon enough she’s enveloped into their friend group, one with code words and intimate social gatherings and intense loyalty to one another. When Sloane finds out about the twins’ mother’s death and the importance of her artwork, she takes it upon herself to find the most important painting of her collection and return it to the twins’ home.

  Emma Mills never fails to make me laugh with all the self-deprecating humor and sarcasm, and she never fails to make me think more deeply. Her characters are smart and well-written, and I thoroughly enjoyed this friendship story. The emotional drama in the story was valid in their appearance, development, and resolution, and the strong bonds of unconditional love and respect was deeply moving. It’s not all hunky-dory for this cast of characters, but it’s never too woe-is-me and never too happy-go-lucky. It’s just right.

  Though we’re by Sloane throughout the novel, I was invested in all of the characters. Vera’s energy is such a pull, a light in Sloane’s life as she adjusts to Florida life. Gabe may be serious and grouchy-looking most of the time, but he’s immensely loyal to his friends and will do anything for them and their happiness. Remy is an honest and heartfelt guy, deeply emotional and unwavering in his faith. Aubrey is standoffish at first, but she’s not in any way bitchy (which I greatly appreciated) — and you know exactly why she acts this way around Sloane. Even Sloane’s father, a Nicholas Sparks-type author of women’s romance, is hilarious and supportive and has the best — the best — obsession with a werewolf TV show and dives deep into the fandom and fanfiction world.

  If contemporary character-driven stories are your thing, Emma Mills is definitely the author to read and follow. And, if you haven’t already, you should read her Jane Austen-inspired debut First & Then as well! Friendship, loyalty, art, and weekend adventures abound in this novel, and I cannot wait to read more from Mills!

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  This qualifies as book 9 of 12 in the Rock My TBR challenge.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017, Rock My TBR | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, review, rock my TBR

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 6:52 pm by Laura, on June 7, 2017

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American, even if I am an Anglophile.

  Lately I’ve posted book reviews and left it at that, so it seemed like it was time for another one of these posts! And because it’s approaching summer (oh god), I’m gonna use tea gifs! Sound good? Good.

  

  If we were having coffee…I would tell you how I’ve read so many books for fun this year so far, but seem to fall behind on writing reviews for them now. Not that reviewing isn’t fun, or that blogging is a chore. Neither of those things! I’m just…reading more than usual? Both as an agent and as a reader. It’s a great feeling finally going through my TBR, checking out books from the library, and setting out little monthly goals on Instagram. The pressure to read the hottest ARC seems to have fallen away, and I’ve become more selective on ARCs in general, too.

  If we were having coffee…I’d strongly suggest you watch Band of Brothers. It’s an HBO one-season series set in WWII about the 101st Airborne, and it came out in the early ’00s. The Beau strongly suggested we watch it together sometime, and I was a little wary. As much as I love war books, the movies can get intense. And yet, as intense as Band could be, the writing and cinematography and deep character development really grabbed my attention and I couldn’t stop watching. Have you seen this show? It’s so good!

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you how I sold a manuscript and acquired a new client all within the same month and it made me so happy. My other clients are also working on new projects that I’m super stoked to share with the world. Keep sending good vibes to the Team Laura sector of #TeamTriada. Going out on submission with new material is super exciting for all involved!

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my trip to NYC. The excuse was Book Expo — bought a badge and everything — but I was rarely at Javits (and only received one galley from the floor. All the other galleys that came home with me were directly from editors’ desks to my hands, and that feels far more meaningful). I spent the majority of my time traveling all over Manhattan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings, mid-morning and afternoon imprint-wide meetings, and agency meals. It was so neat to put voices and faces to names, to see and meet the editors in person after years of exchanging emails and phone calls. All in all, this trip was far more fun and productive than previous NYC visits. This was also the first time the agency was all together, in person, in one room. Isn’t that nuts? I loved every second of it.

  Though I’m not a fan of the city itself (cities in general, let’s be honest — they stress me out), I was happy to be with enthusiastic bookish bookworms gushing over the latest novel, our cats, the news, dream travel destinations, and the delicious food in front of us. (That’s one thing cities have going for them: the variety of restaurants and cafes!) PLUS I was reunited with Lindsey @ Bring My Books and ran into Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books a few times. Oh, and flailed about Outlander and Sam Heughan with Sasha Alsberg when she was on her way to see her publisher. Haha!

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d show you what a complete nerd I am by whipping out my phone, opening up the Forge of Empires app, and gushing about the game. Guys, I just reached the High Middle Ages (nearly there to the Late Middle Ages) and I’m so poor now because I’ve purchased so many homes, production buildings, and supply buildings. Time to crank up the supplies!

  If we were having coffee…I’d grumble about my lack of self control when it comes to chips and queso. Oh my god. It’s just bad. Really bad. Like, I crave salt (and cheese) all the time. It’s my baseline. And I love sugar, too, so I’m all sorts of messed up in cravings. But chips and queso is my vice, my sin, my guilty pleasure. About a year ago I tried giving it up and doing more yoga instead but THAT DIDN’T WORK BAHAHA. Help me.

  If we were having coffee…I’d ramble on and on about this trip to Greece I’m going on next summer. I’ve been to cooler climates in Europe, so heading to the Mediterranean in the summer will certainly be something new to experience. Scenes from Mama Mia! and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants keep dancing in mind. Blue skies, white buildings, lots of water, great culture…Have you been to Greece? Any tidbits, advice, or fun facts?

  

  Short, quick, and something to break up all the reviews. Anything new in your life? Have you seen Band of Brothers? Did you go to Book Expo or Book Con (and if so, what’d you snag)? Are you into any particular app game? Comment below!

  If we were having coffee, what would we talk about? Let’s chat!

  Posted in Update Post | 7 Comments | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• Book Review: “The Baker’s Secret” by Stephen P. Kiernan

  Posted at 3:45 am by Laura, on May 25, 2017

  The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan

  Publisher: William Morrow
  Published: May 2017
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780062369581
  Rating: ★★★.5

  On June 5, 1944, as dawn rises over a small town on the Normandy coast of France, Emmanuelle is making the bread that has sustained her fellow villagers in the dark days since the Germans invaded her country.

  Only twenty-two, Emma learned to bake at the side of a master, Ezra Kuchen, the village baker since before she was born. Apprenticed to Ezra at thirteen, Emma watched with shame and anger as her kind mentor was forced to wear the six-pointed yellow star on his clothing. She was likewise powerless to help when they pulled Ezra from his shop at gunpoint, the first of many villagers stolen away and never seen again.

  But in the years that her sleepy coastal village has suffered under the enemy, Emma has silently, stealthily fought back. Each day, she receives an extra ration of flour to bake a dozen baguettes for the occupying troops. And each day, she mixes that precious flour with ground straw to create enough dough for two extra loaves—contraband bread she shares with the hungry villagers. Under the cold, watchful eyes of armed soldiers, she builds a clandestine network of barter and trade that she and the villagers use to thwart their occupiers.

  But her gift to the village is more than these few crusty loaves. Emma gives the people a taste of hope—the faith that one day the Allies will arrive to save them.

  In a small French village off the coast of Normandy, a baker cunningly helps the people of her town stay alive during the German occupation. Emma has lost all hope of the Allies coming to save them, and so defies the Nazis by baking more bread in secret, using an undercover network to make sure each person can last another day. Little does she know that, as hopeless as she feels, she herself is sustaining the life of the village and feeding the people hope, hope until the Allied Forces are able to storm the beaches just over the hills.

  At the time I read the novel, I’d just finished watching the HBO series Band of Brothers. It was like a weird coincidence, finishing up a stunning and heartbreaking show following the 101st Airbourne paratroopers from training for D-Day, D-Day, through V-E Day, and then starting a novel set primarily on June 5 and 6, the day before and of D-Day. We even meet some of these men as they push the Germans out of the village and help the French take back their homes and livelihoods.

  I was especially moved by Emma and her quiet resilience. Even though she’s lost all hope, she is desperate to survive at all costs. She was an inspiring character. She is defiant and ruthless by necessity, but full of heart and love for the people of her village — even the ones she genuinely doesn’t like. The way she was able to play the Germans and create her little secret network was brilliant.

  The story is told in little vignettes as Emma bakes throughout the day on June 5 — vignettes about characters in the village, village history, instances that occurred during the German occupation, and flashbacks and memories leading up to June 6, 1944. It was a literary, lush, engaging read, yet a quick one as well thanks to the vignette style. Fans of Guernsey Literary and the HBO Band of Brothers show would enjoy this novel. Anyone interested in WWII occupation stories or French underground networks would find something to love as well.

  This qualifies as book 7 of 5 library books in 2017.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, review

• Book Review: “When Dimple Met Rishi” by Sandhya Menon (ARC)

  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on May 17, 2017

  When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

  Publisher: Simon Pulse
  Publishing Date: May 30
  Genre: young adult, contemporary, romance
  ISBN: 9781481478687
  Rating: ★★★★

  Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

  Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

  The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

  Dimple wants nothing more than to be away from her family, immersing herself in college life and web development and all things coding. Rishi wants nothing more than to continue honoring his cultural roots, experiencing that big sweeping romance his parents had when they were arranged to be married. Little do they know, once their parents got wind both teens were interested in the same summer program, the arranged marriage between them would start taking flight earlier than expected.

  I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic comedy. Everything about it screamed nerdy cute fun flails, and I especially loved the cultural elements in here. Though the novel did fall into some stereotypical YA tropes, I let it slide in favor of the great story beneath it all.

  First, Dimple is such a fierce, determined, energetic young woman eager to embark on her own adventures and govern her own life by her own rules. I wanted to squeeze her in a hug every time she spoke up about feminism, females in the tech industry, and combining two cultures (being American and being Indian) instead of ignoring one and embracing another. I understood where she came from…but I also understood where Rishi came from! He’s such an artistic, romantic soul, who has to live up to his parents’ expectations. The difference is that he doesn’t find it to be a burden, at least not at first. As their romance blossoms, they both learn from one another — Dimple the importance of tradition and respect, Rishi the importance of independence and openness.

  Second, the diversity in this novel isn’t a problem that needs fixing. There’s no agenda here. It’s open and honest and a character of the story. It’s not an issue, it’s just another life we have the privilege to experience and learn about. First generation Americans have that tough in-between role to play: living up to parents’ expectations within the “old” culture and traditions, and living up to friends’/society’s expectations within the “new” culture. Too often first generation Americans are asked, “Where are you from?” And in many ways, that’s shared in this novel too. I highly recommend reading this if you want to add more diversity to your TBR. Experience America through another’s eyes, and experience another culture’s expectations within America through two different perspectives. It’s bound to start conversations!

  Though some major YA tropes do occur in this novel (all possible relationship milestones occur within six weeks, to give you an idea without blatantly spoiling), it didn’t take away from the entertainment and enjoyment of a feel-good contemporary romcom on a sunny California campus with a bunch of app-development nerds.

  When Dimple Met Rishi is perfect for fans of Anna and the French Kiss. Get your hands on this book ASAP!

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Simon Pulse for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 6 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: romance, genre: young adult, review

• Book Review: “Always and Forever, Lara Jean” by Jenny Han

  Posted at 3:50 am by Laura, on May 15, 2017

  Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

  Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR
  Published: May 2017
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9781481430487
  Rating: ★★★★

  Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding.

  But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy helping plan her father’s wedding, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. She watched her sister Margot go through these growing pains. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

  When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

  It’s senior year, and Lara Jean is having a wonderful time with Peter, her friends, and her family. She’s nostalgic and excited for the future all at once, which leads to a lot of stress baking to perfect her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Will she get into her dream school? How will she and Peter continue their relationship in college? How will she cope being away from home for college? As change trickles in one after another, creating rocking waves in previously calm waters, Lara Jean must decide what she wants to do and who she wants to be in this first step of adulthood.

  There are no spoilers if one has not read To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before or PS I Still Love You, though I still highly recommend reading those books!

  What a great conclusion to a beautiful contemporary trilogy about sisterhood and growing up. When Jenny Han announced writing a third book for her intended duology, I admit I was a little worried. I felt Lara Jean’s story ended in a good place in the second book. But  Han was right: Lara Jean had more to tell, more experiences to share, and this book tied everything back full circle. Thanks, Han!

  This trilogy speaks to me on so many levels. Lara Jean is such a crafty, nostalgic, smart, quiet, good, loving girl. She likes the fine things in life, expresses her emotions through art and baking, and enjoys frank conversations with her sisters Margot and Kitty. In many ways, Han and Dessen (to toss in another contemporary classic) create characters that speak to me now as an adult and who I was as a teen. I especially appreciate the very sisterly, clean but informative discussions about love, heartbreak, sex, periods, the whole gambit.

  Though Lara Jean isn’t dealing with the sort of drama that plagued her in the last book (and boy, social media can really be a burden for teens today), she does need to think about life as an adult away from home. She will have so many freedoms and responsibilities, making her own rules based on her wishes and values. Choosing a college is one of them, especially if the college choice may or may not be influenced by her love for her devoted boyfriend. So many college-bound seniors battle between wanting to stay together and choose the same college, when the right thing is to choose the college best suited for one’s future and career. It’s a tough place to be in, and Lara Jean is facing those growing pains head on.

  The Song sisters are experiencing growing pains as well. Margot continues to flourish studying abroad, but it’s jolting to come home to several changes, including a new stepmother. Lara Jean wants to keep the peace, while at the same time allow the wedding to distract her from bigger decisions in her life. She can be quite pushy and teasing without realizing, and others notice. Kitty, who barely remembers their mother, is thrilled to have a proper mother figure in her life, though there’s concern she will “forget” her Korean culture. The bond between these three is impenetrable, and they will always find home base with one another.

  I’m not here for the romance. I’m here for the sisters. I’m here to watch Lara Jean come of age and navigate this brave new world all on her own. I’m here to see her come full circle and start another chapter in her life. It all began when her sister left for college and she felt unmoored by the loss — now it’s her turn to leave for college. And I am pleased to see what she decided to do with her life!

  Thank you, Jenny Han, for bringing these wonderful sisters, especially Lara Jean, to life!

  .

  This qualifies as book 8 of 12 in the Rock My TBR challenge.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017, Rock My TBR | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, review

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• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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