Tag: genre: contemporary

• Book Review: “If I Stay” by Gayle Forman

  Posted at 7:25 pm by Laura, on June 10, 2014

  If I Stay by Gayle Forman 

  Publisher: Speak
  Published: April 2010
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9780142415436
  Goodreads: 3.98
  Rating: ★★★★.5

  Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she’ll ever make.

  It was supposed to be an ordinary day, a drive with her family to a friend’s house — not an extraordinarily tragic day where she  sees her family scattered and bloodied across the road, and herself among them. Mia watches the medics race her from the scene to the hospital’s ICU, witnesses the hoards of family and friends rushing to see her. Mia, the quiet and serious girl who applied to Juilliard for the cello; Mia, daughter with now-dead parents’ love for music running through her veins; Mia, the oddball girlfriend to cool soon-to-be-rockstar Adam; Mia, who must now decide to join her family or live a full life.

  

  Do you ever wonder what would happen to your friends and family when you die? Do you ever wonder how they would react, what they’d say and do? It’s so morbid a thought, but Forman runs with this idea, and the idea of choosing whether or not to live, and witnessing the procession of love while debating this difficult decision.

  My heart ached through the entire book. Mia’s loving family of musicians — the rocker parents and their community of free-spirited punks, the quiet Gramps and comfortingly chatty Gran, the adorable spitfire of a brother Teddy — was equally foreign and familiar. Their love for one another ran as deep as their love for music. Music is a big part of the makeup of my family as well, and reading this book felt like coming home. The heart of their love, of the music, felt authentic — names and songs and compositions were dropped left and right, but it never felt pretentious or assuming; it was simply a fact, a part of their conversations, a true part of their lives. To witness the collision and the subsequent aftermath was jarring and heartbreaking, and only made stronger for each seamless flashback Mia had when contemplating whether or not to pass on or fight for life.

  Though a romance is in this book, this book is not a romance. It is about death, life, and music. It is about difficult decisions, about fighting for what you love, for who you love. Her whole life, Mia felt like that odd one out in her punk rock family — the only one to enjoy classical music, to choose a classical instrument. Then she stumbles across Adam, and for the life of her she can’t figure out why he’s remotely interested in her. Adam, in her eyes, is fully realized: he knows who he is, what he wants, and his rock career is already taking flight. But his devotion to her, his complete and unconditional love, is so deep that it’s not just a “high school” relationship. Mia’s parents are right when they say they’ve fallen in love the adult way. Mia and Adam have their flaws, and they fight and struggle and work hard at their relationship, picking through the insecurities and restoring faith in one another. It’s beautiful — which makes her comatose state even more heartbreaking. Who is she without her parents and little brother? And yet, who is she without Adam, without her cello, without music?

  What would you choose?

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 3 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Rebel Belle” by Rachel Hawkins

  Posted at 4:44 pm by Laura, on May 29, 2014

  

  Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins 

   

  Publisher: Putnam
  Published: April 8, 2014
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780399256936
  Goodreads: 3.97
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper’s destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

  Just when life can’t get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she’s charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper’s least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David’s own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

  With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y’all beg for more.

  Harper Price, Pine Grove’s Queen Bee of Extracurricular Activities, would love nothing more than to continue her perfect life running SGA, preparing for Cotillion, racking up activities to win over colleges, and become Homecoming Queen. But a trip to the ladies’ room during the Homecoming dance proves to be more than she ever bargained for: the school janitor gives her powers as he dies on the floor, and she ninja-destroys her history teacher. Once a Paladin, she discovers she’s charged to protect David Stark, the school’s student journalist who always writes nasty things about Harper. He’s an Oracle, and they are bound together for life — and it seems their lives may be shortened in just a few weeks, as David’s prophecy of impending doom lands on Cotillion night.

  

  Oh, my. This book was hilarious and action-packed and made me want to rewatch all of my favorite Buffy episodes. It’s a similar concept at the core: adorable popular girl is granted superpowers and must protect people (in this case, one person) to the death. Throw in some excellent Southern culture, Harper’s adorable speech patterns, and David’s snarkiness, and you’re in for a treat. Grab a nice cool glass of sweet tea and enjoy.

  What I loved most about Rebel Belle was Harper herself. She’s overloaded with activities, schoolwork, and maintaining her relationship with boyfriend Ryan. She works hard to show her parents that she is still alive, even if her sister is not. And, most importantly, though she is the popular girl in the school, she’s not nasty. Harper is just as friendly as she is intelligent and into fashion. She’s a great blend of girly girl and brains — a bit like Legally Blonde. Even the way she would research her new powers was completely realistic. If you were to discover you suddenly had superhuman fighting skills, what would you do? Research superheroes, of course! What is a Paladin, what are origin stories, when will her coach arrive? She’s so brilliant. Go, Harper!

  I love this book. I want to befriend Harper, but since I can’t, I’ll clutch this book and anxiously wait for the sequel!

   

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 1 Comment | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Second Chance Summer” by Morgan Matson

  Posted at 11:26 am by Laura, on May 21, 2014

  Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson 

  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 
  Published: May 7, 2013 (paperback)
  Genre: young adult
  ISBN: 9781416990680
  Goodreads: 4.13
  Rating: ★★★★

  Taylor Edwards has a tendency to run away when things get tough. But when her father is diagnosed with stage four cancer, Taylor knows this is one situation she can’t outrun.

  To have one last summer together, Taylor’s parents decide to take the family back to their old lake house in the Poconos. Even though Taylor was twelve the last time she went to Lake Phoenix, the people she left behind are still there — like her former best friend Lucy, who’s still hurting from a long-ago betrayal, and her first crush Henry, who’s gotten five years cuter.

  With nights full of fireflies and fireworks, the summer holds the possibility of forgiveness, and maybe even love. Taylor wants to hold on to the moment instead of walking away, but she knows the end of the summer is getting closer — and that time is running out to make the most of her second chance.

  Taylor is good at running away. Her brother’s a genius and her sister’s a talented dancer, and even though Taylor feels like the forgotten middle child with no extraordinary abilities, she knows she’s good at running away when things become too difficult. But she can’t do that now, with her father diagnosed with terminal cancer. The Edwards decide to spend one last summer at their lake house, and while Taylor is nervous facing old friend and new coworker Lucy, and tongue-tied around old crush and new neighbor Henry, she will do anything to make her father happy and proud. Morning breakfasts and life questions, star-gazing, movies on the beach, ice cream runs and bike rides — these are the things that number the days as Taylor works hard on second chances.

  The first slip I pulled from my TBR jar was this book, and I’m so glad it was!

  I’ve heard wonderful things about Matson’s work. My first experience with Matson’s writing was actually through her other pen name, Katie Finn, and the premise of the two books seemed too familiar and I was beginning to worry (same pizza preference, weird situation with friends from several years ago, lake house, etc). But I shouldn’t have. This book is miles away from what I expected.

  Second Chance Summer is about self-discovery, overcoming fears, facing reality even in the darkest times, and embracing the happy moments fully. Taylor grows from a scared, insecure teen into a determined young woman. Not only did she work extra hard to quit running away when facing the inevitable, she strived to make amends with Lucy and Henry — who, quite honestly, were very understanding and wonderful characters. Though Lucy and Taylor have changed a lot in the last five years apart, the root of their friendship was very tangible, making it easier to reconcile the past. Henry, too, was a reassuring presence for Taylor, the basis of their relationship built on those years of separation and growth. From shifts at the snack bar to fireworks on the docks, you watch Taylor slowly piece together who she is and what she wants to be.

  But as great of a summer with friends can be, Taylor is never completely unaware of her father’s deterioration. With each passing week — and soon, each passing day — Taylor learns about the man behind the booming lawyer voice and silly puns, and tries to not notice his weight loss, his wincing, his skin. They share ice cream runs after picking up corn and black licorice from the grocery store; a stray dog, with Taylor’s help, becomes his constant companion; they swap placemat questions at a breakfast diner; they laugh at deadpan humor; they share music tastes and watch favorite movies. Every moment was laced with happiness, longing, and sorrow, and by the end there’s no point in wiping the tears from your face because they’ll keep coming anyway.

  Second Chance Summer is deep and powerful in a very understated way. It’s a beautiful and light summer story mixed with the reality of the mortality and inevitability of life. Very few YA books can create such strong, conflicting emotions and weave them seamlessly throughout. For naysayers out there who claim YA is filled with garbage, hand them this book. Sometimes, YA is more than any adult fiction could be.

  Last but not least: Murphy, adorkable love-struck Warren, the slumber party scene, and Casablanca.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 3 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell

  Posted at 6:34 pm by Laura, on March 17, 2014

  Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 

  Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
  Published: September 10, 2013
  Genre: young adult, new adult
  ISBN: 9781250030955
  Goodreads: 4.22
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

  Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan…. But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

  Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

  Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

  Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words…and she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

  For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

  Cath is a famous Simon Snow fan. At least, in the fandom. She’s written several fanfics about Simon Snow, and her latest mammoth creation is regarded as the final book in the series. But Cath is horrible in real life social situations. Her twin sister, Wren, is anxious to start college and experience all the new opportunities; Cath is terrified of meeting people. At first she likes that her roommate leaves her alone, but her ever-present friend Levi constantly tries to bring Cath out of her shell. She thought her Fiction Writing class would be phenomenal, but her professor scorns fanfiction. And to top it off, Cath’s father tends to experience extreme manic episodes, and this is the first time he would be on his own without his twin daughters. Cath begins college a terrified, anxious girl, entirely dependent on a fictional world to help her get by — and transitions into a more confident woman, a journey beautiful one to behold.

  

  I don’t even know where to begin with this review because this book spoke to me on so many levels! Maybe I should begin with the levels.

  As a fangirl . . . I was deeply ingrained in the Harry Potter fandom. From age 11-15 I was constantly checking forums for theories about the books and characters, reading fanfiction, participating in “ship” discussions — everything. I didn’t like to admit it to my friends because speaking about it made it seem stupid. But really, it was a joy playing around in JKR’s world. That’s exactly what Cath does with this HP knock-off world of Simon Snow (which, by the way, the blatant Harry Potter (and Twilight! Ha!) references cracked me up!). It’s so strange and liberating reading a book about something millions of people experienced secretly and openly. I loved how Cath’s fanfic had such a huge following — it reminded me of Cassandra Claire (note the spelling) and her Draco Trilogy. Anyone remember that? Man.

  As an anxious person . . . Cath has extreme social anxiety. While I can handle social situations fairly easily, it was such a relief to read about a character who truly does have difficulty interacting with people and day-to-day life. She over-thinks every scenario with any trip she needs to take. There’s a good portion of the beginning of the book where Cath is scared to go to the dining hall, and therefore doesn’t know where the dining hall is located. She’s not afraid of getting lost, but looking stupid: where to pick up a tray (if there is a tray), where to stand in line (if there are lines) for food, where to check out, where to sit, if it’s okay to sit alone (and how to sit alone and look normal, not lonely), etc. Reagan, her roommate, handles these situations so perfectly. She literally drags Cath everywhere with her, forcing her to experience college life without actually pressuring her to do anything.

  As someone hesitant about relationships . . . Sometimes the whole insta-love thing works, and it can be beautiful and magical and wonderful. But let’s be honest — more often than not, insta-love doesn’t happen, and someone is extremely nervous in the relationship (or pre-relationship). Cath, slowly but surely, begins to like Levi. She’s not sure how to handle it, considering she’s confused about the Reagan-Levi dynamic and she’s intimidated by the fact he’s a junior — and in college years, that’s like a decade older than her and a million times more experienced. And she handles these emotions like any anxious, nervous person would: she refuses to think about it and dwell on it. As the reader, you notice she likes him because she’s mentioning his habits, his quirks, his expressions: all signs of observational skills. What’s fantastic about this is that Levi isn’t traditionally handsome. He’s not some huge hunk of sculpted meat and brilliant brains and touching sensitivity — he’s a nice guy. It’s so beautiful. So beautiful, it makes me want to cry.

  The writing is phenomenal. I love Rowell’s style, and there’s something about her voice that makes every scene hilarious, terrifying, emotional, and heartfelt all at once. It’s raw and honest and real. I don’t know how else I can explain this magnificence of this book, and so I’ll close with saying I’m clutching this book to my chest and never letting go.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: fiction, genre: new adult, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Panic” by Lauren Oliver (ARC)

  Posted at 11:15 am by Laura, on February 22, 2014

  Panic by Lauren Oliver 

  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Publishing Date: March 4
  Genre: young adult, thriller, contemporary
  ISBN: 9780062014559
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★

  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.

  Heather and Dodge, participants in a thrilling post-graduation game where the winner takes all, have different reasons for entering Panic. Heather jumps in to prove something to herself. Dodge, in a sense, plays for revenge. But Panic must be kept a secret from the adults and police of Carp — a small, poor town in the middle of nowhere — because Panic is the only chance any of the students have to escape and start a fresh, new life.

  First of all, this is not dystopian and it is not another Hunger Games. Yes, it sounds like THG, and yes it sounds dystopian, but this is a thriller contemporary novel through and through. The high school graduates of Carp of years past devised a daring, life-threatening game where the winner takes $50,000 — money raised from the school population, $1 donated from each student for every day of high school attendance — and escapes the awful, poor, messed up town. The winner can do whatever they want: go to college, get surgery, travel the world, pick up and leave, become athletes or actresses, you name it. These students are desperate, and they will put their lives on the line for that chance to escape.

  And that’s what fuels Panic, the desperation of the participants. Heather is deeply insecure, feels unloved and worthless, and she enters Panic blindly thinking she’ll catch the eye of her ex-boyfriend, when in reality she realizes she entered to prove something to herself and to the world. Every participants has a sad, angry, desperate story, and it fuels them throughout their frightening game. Jumping off tanks, crossing highways blindfolded…anything for the $67,000 pool for this year’s winner.

  So why 2 stars? While this was well-written, dirty and gritty, honest, and filled with intense emotion, it just wasn’t the book for me. I continued reading because I love Oliver’s work, but this particular book was not meant to be read by me. Maybe I’ve never felt this angry, scared, insecure, or desperate, or maybe I’ve had a sheltered upbringing, or maybe I just never interacted with people in these dire situations. Who knows? This is not a reflection of the book’s quality, but rather my enjoyment of the book.

  Thank you, Edelweiss and HarperCollins, for providing the book for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 2 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: fiction, genre: thriller, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Just One Year” by Gayle Forman

  Posted at 6:32 pm by Laura, on February 1, 2014

  Just One Year by Gayle Forman 

  Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
  Published: October 2013
  Genre: young adult
  ISBN: 9780525425922
  Goodreads: 3.88
  Rating: ★★★★

  After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem’s story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson’s own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

  Willem wakes in a hospital, cut and bruised, with no recollection of the last few hours except a nagging feeling that he’s forgotten something, someone, very important. When his memory comes back, he’s desperate to find Lulu, a girl who stopped his heart and changed his world in one day. But she’s not in Paris anymore, and he has no idea how to find her because “Lulu” isn’t even her real name. From Mexican resorts to Indian film studios, from a best friend’s couch to his uncle’s loft, Willem travels the world and looks deep inside himself, his parents’ complex relationship, and Shakespeare to find the answers. And the answers all point to the mysterious American girl in Paris.

  

  While not as breathtaking as Just One Day — and I’ll only say that because I felt very much like Allyson and not like Willem, a spontaneous yet lost traveler — Forman packs another powerful punch in this world-traveling search for love and individual growth. Willem and Allyson were so incredibly close to running into one another throughout the novel, and it pained me to see them turn around or glance in a different direction and completely miss that connection. It was also fascinating to see the other side of the story: what happened to Allyson’s suitcase, how Willem came to find out about her letter, how Willem deduced where Allyson would be. They each, in their own books, pieced things together with scraps of memory, and it just made the whole concept of love — and finding the one — even more powerful.

  Shakespeare’s influence is stronger in this novel than the last, if that’s even possible. While Allyson’s story pieces together various plays to help her explain her life, As You Like It, or more specifically Orlando’s life, takes a hold of Willem throughout the novel. That play is his story, Orlando’s pain his Willem’s pain, and Willem’s role in the play in Amsterdam is intensified ten-fold because he’s no longer acting the role, he is the role.

  Bram and Yael’s story come together as well. Though Forman never states things point-blank, it is clear what Willem wants from love, what he perceived his parents’ relationship to be and his role in it. His parents’ story is so like his and Allyson’s, and it pains him to think that after his father’s death Yael no longer wants to see Willem. While that’s not the case at all, it’s so heartbreakingly beautiful to watch Willem’s childhood perception of his parents change into something else entirely — still an all-consuming love, but not one that blocks out the most wonderful proof of their love.

  Touching, heartbreaking, joyful, and humorous, Just One Year expresses Willem’s side of the year of growth, and how one day can truly imprint and change one’s being for the better.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Just One Day” by Gayle Forman

  Posted at 1:57 pm by Laura, on January 28, 2014

  Just One Day by Gayle Forman 

  Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
  Published: January 2013
  Genre: young adult, romance
  ISBN: 9780525425915
  Goodreads: 4.12
  Rating: ★★★★★

  When sheltered American good girl Allyson “LuLu” Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem de Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

  For three weeks, Allyson and her best friend experience a whirlwind tour of Europe for students post-high school graduation. Allyson is less than enthused with the results, and decides to take up Melanie’s challenge of breaking free from her monotonous routine: they ditch a Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of Hamlet for an underground street version of Twelfth Night. It is here that Allyson meets Willem, a Dutch actor who lives a nomadic life of “accidents.” And the next day, the two have their own “accident” when they run into each other on a train to London. Charmed by Willem’s spontaneity and eager to try something new, Allyson decides to run off to Paris with Willem for just one day. But the next morning, Willem is gone. Allyson thought Paris would be her only adventure, but it’s only just beginning.

  

  I’m sure many people relate to Allyson. And I bet nearly all the raving reviews are about how much they are Allyson — the over-scheduled, straight-A, not-so-spontaneous, somewhat insecure, dependable, reliable good girl. And I am one of those reviewers. I am joining the masses.

  Allyson tried so hard to break free from her parents’ expectations, to be who she believes herself to be, and her time with Willem showed her that she can live her life however she’d like, that she has the capability to make her own decisions. The fear and panic that would rise in her — whether it was when she got lost or when she jumped to conclusions about Willem — is exactly something I’d do. Her depression, empathy, and concern are very real gut reactions to major events that were positive at the time and later colored by some unseen force. She’s so real. And I think it’s because of Forman’s portrayal of Allyson that so many of us see ourselves in her.

  That aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the Shakespeare connections littered throughout. Either they’re blatant — like Allyson’s college class and her reading partner Dee’s remarks — or they’re subtle, helping the reader predict the outcome of the novel with themes and familiarity of Shakespeare’s plays. Even the characters showed growth, changing from one Shakespearean role to another as the novel progresses. It was so artistic, so fantastic, that I was excited to see more and more as Allyson’s quest solidified.

  On a different note, this is what I’d imagine New Adult should be. Not the erotica stuff that litters the shelves, but college and post-college experiences that show the growth from dependent teenager to independent adult. Allyson is about to enter her first year of college, and we watch her as she rises in Europe, falls her first semester, finds her footing second semester, and lands on solid ground the following summer. That experience, right there, is so very real and true to the university lifestyle and self-identification.

  I do not have the words to continue. This novel is near and dear to my heart. I’m itching to begin Just One Year (Willem’s point of view!). Trust me when I say that if you want the full human experience, this is it. I should not have to italicize one more word.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 3 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Top 5 Books of 2012

  Posted at 10:26 am by Laura, on December 24, 2012

  It was very difficult to narrow down which books I wanted in the top five. Cassandra Clare’s second in the Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Prince, and Kate Morton’s The Secret Keeper had to be cut. To see a full list of what I read in this year’s challenge, feel free to browse here.

  2012 was a mix of contemporary and dystopian young adult with Victorian gothic literature. I read my absolute favorite genre of all time and explored a new and booming genre with relish. Here are my top five books of 2012, in no particular order!

  

  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

  The first and only novel by John Green written from the point of view of a teenage girl in the midst of heartbreaking cancer is full of life, wonder, and awe. The characters are charming and a joy to read, and as a previous Indianapolis resident I was so happy to watch all their adventures across my home city.

  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

  Every person on this planet needs to read this book. I convinced my mother to read it — and it sparked hours-long discussions on Soviet history, her old Latvian friends, and the state of the Baltics today. I convinced history buffs to read it — and they are discussing untouched topics with their history professors. I convinced a friend who never reads nonfiction or YA, and she was moved to tears. This book, true accounts of Soviet Russia’s mass slaughter of the Baltics during and after WWII wrapped up in a fictional character, is beyond words. It is a must-read.

  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

  Enchanting and riveting, this masterpiece is set in the late Victorian age as two magicians compete in a fierce challenge within a spell-binding circus. The characters, the setting, the dream-like qualities, and the love are so moving, you’ll never want to leave Le Cirque des Reves.

  A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

  Diana is supposed to be an American professor in Oxford, nothing more. But her magic draws attention to other creatures only heard about in myths, including the very predatory Matthew cannot seem to stay away. This is not the ordinary academic professor romance, nor are the witches and vampires sweet and kind. History, magic, alchemical texts, Oxford, Massachusetts, genetics, and chemistry merge together in this great, intelligent romance.

  Delirium by Lauren Oliver

  Hunger Games brought me back into the YA genre, and Delirium kept me in. I’m a hopeless romantic, so a story about forbidden love will always draw me in. However, Oliver does not make this dystopian cheesy or cheap. Love is forbidden because love is a disease. Love clouds judgement, causes unnecessary illness like fevers, sweat, lack of appetite. This concept is so beautifully written, and the characters so well-developed and intuitive, I could not put this down.

  Posted in books, Update Post | 3 Comments | Tagged 50 book challenge, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads

• Book Review: “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

  Posted at 8:41 pm by Laura, on January 31, 2012

  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

  A phenomenal #1 bestseller that has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for nearly three years, this memoir traces Maya Angelou’s childhood in a small, rural community during the 1930s. Filled with images and recollections that point to the dignity and courage of black men and women, Angelou paints a sometimes disquieting, but always affecting picture of the people—and the times—that touched her life.

  I had to read this for my advanced nonfiction writing course, and my peers were surprised when I said I had not read it before. Apparently it’s assigned a lot in high school English classes. My high school, though extremely academic and well-educated, was a bit biased and stuck underneath a bubble. It’s a predominately white, rich community, and in no way intended to create a curriculum that was – by not having black literature – racist. What wasn’t there or didn’t happen in this community, wasn’t or wouldn’t be acknowledged. I didn’t realize how sheltered it was until I came to college.

  That said, all I knew about this memoir was that the narrator was raped as a young girl. I went into the text feeling a sense of dread, as well as a bit of “gosh, another writer rambling about all her troubles, that’s so new” attitude. I was pleasantly surprised instead!

  Angelou wrote this piece simply, carefully, and entertainingly, while incorporating huge ideas and deep questions. A range of topics within a chapter would include the use of language, the complexities of family and familial love, race, the boundaries of race, sexuality, gender, and social interactions. My favorite parts of this memoir were moments when the narrator struggled between a love for reading – literature by white people, she’d always point out – and a desperation for reality – such as the power struggles between men and women, whites and blacks, children and adults.

  Despite all its merits, I do not think I will pick this up again. I enjoyed it for the sake of its academic purposes, and I can easily understand why high school teachers put this on reading lists for students. My general distaste for reading nonfiction is showing.

  Rating: ★★ of 5

  GoodReads: 3.96 of 5

  Posted in books, Reviews 2012 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: nonfiction, goodreads, review

• Upcoming Books! [2]

  Posted at 2:09 pm by Laura, on January 29, 2012

  Here’s a glimpse from the news this week about upcoming and newly published books!

  The Baker’s Daughter by Sarah McCoy was published January 24th, a good historical and contemporary novel interweaving two stories.

  

  Summary: In 1945, Elsie Schmidt is a naive teenager, as eager for her first sip of champagne as she is for her first kiss. She and her family have been protected from the worst of the terror and desperation overtaking her country by a high-ranking Nazi who wishes to marry her. So when an escaped Jewish boy arrives on Elsie’s doorstep in the dead of night on Christmas Eve, Elsie understands that opening the door would put all she loves in danger.
  Sixty years later, in El Paso, Texas, Reba Adams is trying to file a feel-good Christmas piece for the local magazine. Reba is perpetually on the run from memories of a turbulent childhood, but she’s been in El Paso long enough to get a full-time job and a fiancé, Riki Chavez. Riki, an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol, finds comfort in strict rules and regulations, whereas Reba feels that lines are often blurred.
  Reba’s latest assignment has brought her to the shop of an elderly baker across town. The interview should take a few hours at most, but the owner of Elsie’s German Bakery is no easy subject. Reba finds herself returning to the bakery again and again, anxious to find the heart of the story. For Elsie, Reba’s questions are a stinging reminder of darker times: her life in Germany during that last bleak year of WWII. And as Elsie, Reba, and Riki’s lives become more intertwined, all are forced to confront the uncomfortable truths of the past and seek out the courage to forgive.

  ~

  Mr g by Alan Lightman, newly published, a playful story about the Creation – as told by God.

  

  Summary: Barraged by the constant advisements and bickerings of Aunt Penelope and Uncle Deva, who live with their nephew in the shimmering Void, Mr g proceeds to create time, space, and matter. Then come stars, planets, animate matter, consciousness, and, finally, intelligent beings with moral dilemmas. Mr g is all powerful but not all knowing and does much of his invention by trial and error.
  Even the best-laid plans can go awry, and Mr g discovers that with his creation of space and time come some unforeseen consequences—especially in the form of the mysterious Belhor, a clever and devious rival. An intellectual equal to Mr g, Belhor delights in provoking him: Belhor demands an explanation for the inexplicable, requests that the newly created intelligent creatures not be subject to rational laws, and maintains the necessity of evil. As Mr g watches his favorite universe grow into maturity, he begins to understand how the act of creation can change himself, the Creator.

  ~

  Some debut novels and upcoming plans for future publications include:

  • Tracy Guzeman’s The Gravity of Birds, a novel that begins when a famous artist reveals the existence of a previously unseen painting to an art history professor and an art authenticator, sending them on a search for two reclusive sisters that will reveal a thwarted love affair, breathtaking betrayals, and unexpected connections between them all.
  • Jeniffer Estep’s Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series books 8-10, featuring a killer with elemental magic powers who navigates between justice and murder-for-hire in the underworld.
  • Burt Bacharach’s memoir Anyone Who Had a Heart, covering his professional success and personal difficulties, written with Robert Greenfield.
  Posted in Upcoming Books | 0 Comments | Tagged books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: nonfiction, upcoming books

• 

• 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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