Blog Tour - The Traveling Tea Shop: Part Two

I'm very excited to be part of Belinda Jones' The Traveling Tea Shop Blog Tour! This book is a fun, romantic...and snack-inducing read.  In fact, I found it such a sweet read that I've actually already talked about it yesterday and I'm going to talk about it again today! 

The Traveling Tea Shop
by Belinda Jones

Love Travel series, book eleven

Love isn't always a piece of cake...

Laurie Davis has always followed her passion. After escaping family drama to start a new life in New York City, she’s up for whatever challenges life brings. So when an opportunity arises for her to use her travel industry expertise and serve as an assistant and tour guide for her idol, Pamela Lambert-Leigh, star of television’s Tea-Time with Pamela, she jumps at the chance.

But Laurie’s exciting adventure ends up entailing a lot more than scouting locations for the cake queen’s new cookbook when Pamela’s sassy mother and sulky, rebellious daughter tag along for the trip. As they cruise around bakeries in New England trading local delights like Red Velvet Cake and Whoopie Pies for British specialties such as Victoria Sponge and Bakewell Tarts, more secrets than recipes are revealed.

Now, in between rediscovering romance, learning to forgive family, and finding the best dessert on the East Coast, Laurie, Pamela, and the gang might find there’s nothing a nice cup of tea, a sweet treat, and a little bit of friendship can’t heal… (Description from Goodreads.com)

I truly enjoy books that are FUN to read.  That's why the name of my blog has always been "I Read to Relax." Though I appreciate books that make me think and tackle heavy issues, I generally reach for something light or romantic or escapist first.  

This book had such great, fun elements to it.  Delicious descriptions of food (see yesterday's post), fun adventures in picturesque places, people coming together, and hints of romance.  Aside from drooling my way through the read, I found myself touched by the characters' stories, urging them to find their ways back to each other.  To find peace and embrace the joy that their road trip through New England could bring.  I was very pleased with the way that Jones was able to convey a lightness to the story even at small moments when things were going sour. 

 I think I'll be looking for more of Belinda Jones' books this summer. They seem like great beach reads! 

Author website: http://www.va-va-vacation.com/belinda-jones

Full Disclosure: Review Copy received from Publisher through Netgalley

Blog Tour - The Traveling Tea Shop

I'm very excited to be part of Belinda Jones' The Traveling Tea Shop Blog Tour! This book is a fun, romantic...and snack-inducing read.  In fact, I found it so delicious to read that I'm actually going to talk about this book on the blog both today and tomorrow! 

The Traveling Tea Shop
by Belinda Jones

Love Travel series, book eleven

Love isn't always a piece of cake...

Laurie Davis has always followed her passion. After escaping family drama to start a new life in New York City, she’s up for whatever challenges life brings. So when an opportunity arises for her to use her travel industry expertise and serve as an assistant and tour guide for her idol, Pamela Lambert-Leigh, star of television’s Tea-Time with Pamela, she jumps at the chance.

But Laurie’s exciting adventure ends up entailing a lot more than scouting locations for the cake queen’s new cookbook when Pamela’s sassy mother and sulky, rebellious daughter tag along for the trip. As they cruise around bakeries in New England trading local delights like Red Velvet Cake and Whoopie Pies for British specialties such as Victoria Sponge and Bakewell Tarts, more secrets than recipes are revealed.

Now, in between rediscovering romance, learning to forgive family, and finding the best dessert on the East Coast, Laurie, Pamela, and the gang might find there’s nothing a nice cup of tea, a sweet treat, and a little bit of friendship can’t heal… (Description from Goodreads.com)

So, why do I want to talk about this book two days in a row?  Well...let's just say that not only is this book a great story, but it also meets my own personal favorite criteria for chick lit and cozy mysteries.  It involves lots of amazing descriptions of FOOD!! *drools* So, today I'm going to give you a little taste of the deliciousness of this book and then tomorrow I'll discuss the regular story line in more detail. 

Red Velvet Cake at the Waldorf Astoria 

Where to start?  Have you ever had a book make your mouth literally start to water? I have. This book did it to me.  When a book is about people traveling throughout New England to discover the best tea time treats available, I knew to expect a little of this, but Jones does an amazing job describing the cakes and goodies.  Red Velvet Cake happens to be my all-time favorite treat and let's just say that when they stopped at the Waldorf Astoria to make it from scratch, well, my mouth watered so bad we're lucky there isn't really an online cake delivery service... MMMMMMM.... 

I found it so very interesting to read not only the descriptions of how to many of these delicious treats are made, but also to learn about some things that were first made here in New England, but that I'd had no idea originated so close to where I live! Truly fascinating. I love learning that type of thing when I read.  I found myself make mental notes to stop by some of the places she mentions the next time I'm gallivanting about New England to try the ultimate examples of lots of my favorite sweets. 

My advice, when you read this book, read it with a full belly. Otherwise, you may end up finding yourself scrounging through the cupboards for something sweet to munch on... 

Stay tuned tomorrow for more about the Laurie's non-food adventures along the Traveling Tea Shop's tour of New England! 

Author website: http://www.va-va-vacation.com/belinda-jones

Full Disclosure: Review Copy received from Publisher through Netgalley

BEA Adult Reviews: Little Mercies

Little Mercies 
by Heather Gudenkauf

Veteran social worker Ellen Moore has seen the worst side of humanity; the vilest acts one person can commit against another. She is a fiercely dedicated children's advocate and a devoted mother and wife. But one blistering summer day, a simple moment of distraction will have repercussions that Ellen could never have imagined, threatening to shatter everything she holds dear, and trapping her between the gears of the system she works for.

Meanwhile, ten-year-old Jenny Briard has been living with her well-meaning but irresponsible father since her mother left them, sleeping on friends' couches and moving in and out of cheap motels. When Jenny suddenly finds herself on her own, she is forced to survive with nothing but a few dollars and her street smarts. The last thing she wants is a social worker, but when Ellen's and Jenny's lives collide, little do they know just how much they can help one another. (Description from Goodreads.com)

I've never read anything by this author before...I was a little nervous because I knew it had to do with a terrible accident.  I tend to "read" happier audio books when I can because I end up crying as I drive in the car and then I end up at work all gross-looking, LOL. This book, though, was a little less traumatic than I'd expected and well worth the listen.

At first, the two tales, Ellen's heartbreaking accident putting her daughter in mortal danger, and Jenny's sad attempt to survive the streets on her own when her Dad goes to jail, don't seem to have anything connecting them other than a common location.  Then as Gudenkauf starts to weave things together, more and more pieces fall into place, bringing readers into one large and satisfying story.  Even though horrible things are discussed and happen throughout, both Ellen and Jenny find that there IS good in the world and the people around them.  There is a heartwarming sense of hope that pervades the book and when things conclude, I was smiling through my tears.  

I look forward to reading more of Gudenkauf's books eventually. 

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for AudioFile Magazine, Signed copy received from author at 2014 BEA 

BEA YA Reviews: Let's Get Lost

Signed YA ARCs that I received at BEA 2014

So, I decided to try and review my BEA books in some kind of order that actually made a little sense... both to me and hopefully to all of you! I've already covered the picture books, an early reader, and a middle grade title, and though I haven't finished all my younger books yet, I really wanted to read this summery looking YA book, so.... here you go! 


Let's Get Lost 
by Adi Alsaid

Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost. 

Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named LEILA. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most. 

There's HUDSON, a small-town mechanic who is willing to throw away his dreams for true love. And BREE, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday—and a few stolen goods along the way. ELLIOT believes in happy endings…until his own life goes off-script. And SONIA worries that when she lost her boyfriend, she also lost the ability to love. 

Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth— sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way. (Description from Goodreads.com) 

This book is sort of a perfect summer read.  It's easy to read.  Alsaid has a fluid, funny, poignant writing style that had me flying through the pages. And yet, as I read, I found myself wanting to linger.  Alsaid has a magic way of capturing small moments.  The ones that we usually only have a second to appreciate before we have to move on, and making them feel important and lasting.  

Leila is a catalyst in this book, driving the five teens who meet her to consider the larger things in life.  What's great about the book, though, is that even while she's changing them, drawing them into a better, deeper place in their own lives, she's gleaning things from them, as well.  Reading I found myself thinking, whistfully usually, about life and the relationships we build in it.  It was almost philosophical and done in such a way that felt natural and not at all pointed or studied.  

I loved the way that Alsaid was able to explore what could be such heavy, emotionally-laden chapters in these characters lives and yet managed to keep the whole tone of the book uplifting.  Engrossing and enjoyable. This is the type of book you want to read while enjoying the summer sun. 

About the Author:

Photo by Peter Ross.

Adi Alsaid was born and raised in Mexico City. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las
Vegas. While in class, he mostly read fiction and continuously failed to fill out crossword puzzles, so it's no surprise that after graduating he packed up his car and escaped to the California coastline to become a writer.

He's now back in his hometown, where he writes, coaches high school and elementary basketball, and has perfected the art of making every dish he eats or cooks as spicy as possible.

In addition to Mexico, he has lived in Tel Aviv, Las Vegas and Monterey, California. A tingly feeling in his feet tells him that more places will eventually be added to the list.

I was lucky enough to meet Adi Alsaid at the 2014 Book Expo in New York City this year.  He was super nice and now that I've read Let's Get Lost, I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes out with next!

Full disclosure: Signed ARC received at 2014 BEA 

What's On My Hold List?

Picture from YaBookNerd's blog,
because, though, I started this meme
she created a much cuter pic for it!

Welcome to the March 2014 edition

of

"What's on My Hold List?"

One of the most beautiful things about working in a Library is that I have the ability to put lots of things on hold and read them *before* I buy!! These are some of the books that I'm currently waiting for, though I may buy one or two of them after reading, as well.

I cannot believe how long it feels like it's been since I shared my hold list with you all! So, here you go... 

These are the books I'm waiting for right now:

The Prince and the Guard
by Kiera Cass
The Selection Stories

Rebel Spring 
by Morgan Rhodes
Falling Kingdoms, book two 

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
by Gabrielle Zevin

Wild Things 
by Chloe Neill
Chicagoland Vampires, book nine

The Winner's Curse
by Marie Rutkowski
The Winner's Trilogy, book one

You can click on each title to go to their Goodreads page for a description...

So, these are the books I'm waiting anxiously to get my hands on...what are you waiting for??

Roomies

Roomies 
by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

When Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment at the beginning of summer, she shoots off an email to coordinate the basics: TV, microwave, mini-fridge. She can't wait to escape her New Jersey beach town, and her mom, and start life over in California.

The first note to Lauren in San Francisco comes as a surprise; she had requested a single. But if Lauren's learned anything from being the oldest of six, it's that you can't always get what you want, especially when what you want is privacy.

Soon the girls are emailing back and forth, sharing secrets even though they've never met. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives...and each other. (description from Amazon.com) 

I LOVE the concept for this book. It's a great and interesting way to look at that time period when so many teens' lives go through a really significant change. Leaving high school and starting college is terrifying in some ways and having to try and adjust and make new friends can be totally intimidating.  Add into all of that, some personal drama and you've got a great storyline for a book.  

The best part of this book, though, is really the format.  The alternating chapters reveal what's happening in each girl's life as the summer progresses and through their emails to one another, they filter their stories into the versions they want to tell each other. I love that the book ends right as they actually meet in person at school for the first time!

So many topics get covered in this book. Family, friendships, romance, pressure to have sex, homosexuality, truth/lies, and pressures about where life is going... This book touches on all these topics in a lighthearted and yet very authentic feeling way. I would recommend this book to just about anyone. 

Full disclosure: eARC received from Netgalley

Gold Star Review: The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars 

by John Green

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Wow.

I have to be honest here and admit that I was afraid to read this book. Though it's gotten rave reviews from just about anyone who has ever read it, I was terrified of how "sad" this book would be... I tend to shy away from books dealing with death, cancer, war, etc.

Am I glad I read this book finally? YES. It was amazing. This book is going to be known as John Green's masterpiece someday. This book deals with teens with cancer in the perfect way. They are not children, they are not adults, they are real teenagers. They play video games, they question life, they fall in love. They egg cars, they meet their favorite author...they die.

While this book deals with the gritty realism of terminal illness, not shying away from the horrific realization that everyone's time comes eventually, it also deals with the subject with the perfect balance of love and hope. Even as I cried through parts of the book, when I turned the last page I was left smiling. 

I am so glad that I finally read this and feel that just about anyone would love this book. It is a novel that really everyone should read. Teens, adults, everyone would get something out of it. I am going to be upfront, though, and say that I probably will not go see the movie.  I have a REALLY hard time with this type of movie... I usually end up crying so hard I make myself sick (I mean, come on people, I cry at Christmas commercials - can you imagine me watching this?!) plus this book is perfect as is and I really don't want to ruin that experience. 

Just in time for Christmas, we're going to top off this review with a pretty little gold star! 

Full disclosure: Audio book borrowed from Library, book purchased for my Kindle app

Lost in the River of Grass

Lost in the River of Grass
by Ginny Rorby

A science-class field trip to the Everglades is supposed to be fun, but Sarah's new at Glades Academy, and her fellow freshmen aren't exactly making her feel welcome. When an opportunity for an unauthorized side trip on an airboat presents itself, it seems like a perfect escape–an afternoon without feeling like a sore thumb. But one simple oversight turns a joyride into a race for survival across the river of grass. Sarah will have to count on her instincts—and a guy she barely knows—if they have any hope of making it back alive. (description from Amazon.com)

Oooh. I was already kind of terrified of the Everglades and now, boy, I don't ever want to step foot in them without a majorly seasoned tour guide. This book was one dangerous encounter after another. I loved how as Sarah faced the possibility of death over and over, she became more and more capable. She is truly a survivor. One who when push comes to shove, must learn how to become more able on her own...one who will do whatever she must to survive.

If you like survival stories, ones that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is a good one!

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my Library

What's On My Hold List?

Welcome to the October 2013 edition

of

"What's on My Hold List?"

One of the most beautiful things about working in a Library is that I have the ability to put lots of things on hold and read them *before* I buy!! These are some of the books that I'm currently waiting for, though I may buy one or two of them after reading, as well.

I realized that I haven't done one of these posts since MAY! Wow. Being busy over the summer really put a cramp in my style...LOL. But, I'm happy to bring back this monthly post! Hopefully, you can let me know what you guys are all waiting for, too...

Allegiant
by Veronica Roth
Divergent, book three

Dead is Just a Dream
by Marlene Perez
Dead Is, book eight

Father of Lies 
by Ann Turner

In the Age of Love and Chocolate
by Gabrielle Zevin
Birthright, book three

Long Live the Queen 
by Kate Locke
Immortal Empire, book three

Summer of the Wolves 
by Polly Carlson-Voiles

You can click on each title to go to their Amazon page for a description...

So, these are the books I'm waiting anxiously to get my hands on...what are you waiting for??

Never Say Die

Never Say Die 
by Will Hobbs

When the motto of your village is "never say die," you have a lot to live up to. . . .

At home in Canada's Arctic, Nick Thrasher is an accomplished Inuit hunter at fifteen. About to bring home a caribou for his ailing grandfather, Nick loses the meat to a fearsome creature never before seen in the wild. It's half grizzly, half polar bear. Experts will soon be calling it a "grolar bear."

Returning to his village, Nick receives a letter from the half brother he's never met. A former Grand Canyon river guide, Ryan Powers is now a famous wildlife photographer. He'll soon be coming to Nick's part of the world to raft the remote Firth River in search of huge herds of migrating caribou. Ryan also wants to learn what Inuit hunters are saying about climate change in the Arctic. He invites Nick to come along and help him find the caribou.

Barely down the river, disaster strikes. Nick and Ryan are both thrown into the freezing river and find themselves under a ceiling of solid ice. With nothing but the clothes on his back and the knife on his hip, Nick is up against it in a world of wolves, caribou, and grizzlies. All the while, the monstrous grolar bear stalks the land. (description from Amazon.com)

I actually enjoyed this book a lot. It was full of action and danger.  It was a book that made me look things up, but not like I was learning stuff in school, more like I was just so curious to see if the nature-related stuff was real or not.  This book made me think about how we're affecting the environment and how that will reflect back and affect us later on.  I liked how Nick stays true to his heritage, even as he thinks about the larger world.  This book was very different from what I normally read, but it was a good one! 

Full disclosure: Borrowed through interlibrary loan

I Represent Sean Rosen

I Represent Sean Rosen
by Jeff Baron

Sean Rosen knows what he wants. A ten-million-dollar deal with a big Hollywood studio. The only problem is, he's a kid. And he's busy with school. And he lives far from Los Angeles or New York City. But Sean does have a laptop and a phone, and he's smart. He's about to have the ride of a lifetime as he discovers the ins and outs—and dos and don'ts—of becoming one of the youngest movie moguls the world's ever known. (description from Amazon.com)

Funny at times, but ultimately not as good as I'd expected. This book was a fairly quick read, but I didn't really feel enthusiastic at all once I'd read it. Sean never really learns not to lie and doesn't have to face any real consequences for all of his deceptions... I kind of found that disappointing and unrealistic. If you love books where you really see inside the character's head, you might like this one, but I don't think it'll be a hit with everyone.

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my library

Waiting on Wednesday: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created and hosted by Breaking the Spine and highlights books that bloggers are all itching to get in their greedy little hands. LOL.

My choice for this week is:

To All the Boys I've Loved Before 

by Jenny Han 

Publication date: April 22, 2014

Description (from Goodreads):

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

Guitar Notes

Guitar Notes
by Mary Amato

On odd days, Tripp Broody uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar. Eyes closed, strumming that beat-up instrument, Tripp escapes to a world where only the music matters.

On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she’s trying to become even more perfect—she’s already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes for him in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected.

What starts as a series of snippy notes quickly blossoms into the sharing of interests and secrets and dreams, and the forging of a very unlikely friendship.

Challenging each other to write songs, they begin to connect, even though circumstances threaten to tear them apart. (Description from Amazon.com)

I really enjoyed this book! I'm not much of a musician, though I used to play the clarinet eons ago, but I do know what it's like to feel passionately about something and not always have other people understand. Or to have people too much pressure on you just because you are good at something.

I loved the two perspectives of this book and I loved reading the notes that Tripp and Lyla left for each other. It was very cool to see how their friendship developed and how they supported each other completely. I highly recommend this book to any middle or high school age reader!

Full disclosure: Borrowed through interlibrary loan

Mini Reviews: The Death is Terrifyingly Close Edition

Lair of the Serpent
by T. Lynn Adams
Tombs of Terror, book three

A humanitarian trip to Cambodia turns deadly when Delilah, a young medical volunteer, is kidnapped. When Jonathon arrives in the jungle and discovers that his friend is missing, he recruits the locals to search for her. Every clue points to the followers of the Naga Mani--- a sacred stone with legendary powers that only work with a human sacrifice. With time running out, it's up to Jonathon to rescue Delilah. (Description from Amazon.com) 

While the premise for this book was very exciting, I found it didn't really capture my attention all that well. It wasn't until Jonathan reached the Naga Mani that I found myself unable to put the book down, and that was pretty much at the end... I think some readers would be totally into it, but it just wasn't the book for me. 

Full disclosure: Review copy received from VOYA 

Rootless 

by Chris Howard 

17-year-old Banyan is a tree builder. Using salvaged scrap metal, he creates forests for rich patrons who seek a reprieve from the desolate landscape. Although Banyan's never seen a real tree--they were destroyed more than a century ago--his missing father used to tell him stories about the Old World. Everything changes when Banyan meets a mysterious woman with a strange tattoo--a map to the last living trees on earth, and he sets off across a wasteland from which few return. Those who make it past the pirates and poachers can't escape the locusts . . . the locusts that now feed on human flesh. But Banyan isn't the only one looking for the trees, and he's running out of time. Unsure of whom to trust, he's forced to make an alliance with Alpha, an alluring, dangerous pirate with an agenda of her own. As they race towards a promised land that might only be a myth, Banyan makes shocking discoveries about his family, his past, and how far people will go to bring back the trees. (Description from Amazon.com) 

This book drew me in from the first pages.  In Banyan's world the sea has overtaken us, the only food is popcorn, and death lurks around every corner.  I found it utterly dark and captivating.  I look forward to the next book! 

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my library 

Trapped

by Michael Northrop

The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive. . . . Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision. . . . (Description from Amazon.com) 

In the same way that I reacted to Pfeffer's Life as We Knew It, this book made me shiver and curl up tight against my doggies.  I found myself so sucked into this book that I read it all at once, unable to turn the pages fast enough. I cried and I honestly worried about how many of the kids would actually survive... utterly compelling. 

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my library 

Between the Lives

Between the Lives
by Jessica Shirvington

The perfect life or the perfect love. You choose. For as long as she can remember, Sabine has lived two lives. Every 24 hours she Shifts to her ‘other’ life – a life where she is exactly the same, but absolutely everything else is different. In one life she has a sister, in the other she does not. In one life she’s a straight-A student with the perfect boyfriend, in the other she’s considered a reckless delinquent. Nothing about her situation has ever changed, until the day when she discovers a glitch: the arm she breaks in one life is perfectly fine in the other. With this new knowledge, Sabine begins a series of increasingly risky experiments which bring her dangerously close to the life she’s always wanted. But just what – and who – is she really risking? (Description from Amazon.com) 

Though this book had moments that felt predictable, the characters and plot drew me in so deeply that I found myself not caring. Sabine's lives are both fascinating in their own ways and the fact that she lives two, well it makes for some deep thinking... at first, I found myself thinking how great it would be, but as Sabine explains to the person she tries to convince, it's actually an awful prospect as you get older.  Is it right to be married to one person, someone that you truly love, in one life and to have someone else in another? Could you spend every day of your life lying to everyone around you?

What seemed a dream opportunity slowly begins to feel like an oppressive nightmare.  

Until the day that Sabine realizes she might have the opportunity to choose just *one* of her lives... And then the day that she meets who might be the true love of her life... after that everything changes.  

This book was emotionally captivating, and even as I found the ending to be just a little too pat logically, my romance-loving, eternally optimistic heart kept telling me to ignore that and when I did, I found myself exceptionally pleased with how things ended... 

Romance lovers, check this one out! Unfortunately, the actual print book is not out here in the US, yet, but if you are an audio book fan, you can check this one out now. (Another note - if you listen to the audio book that's out now, it's an Australian production with an Australian narrator...reading a Bostonian character. That can be a little disconcerting. If you can get past that, though, the story is great!) Otherwise, I'll try to remember to let you all know when the book finally comes out here. 

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for AudioFile Magazine

Every Day

Every Day
by David Levithan

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day. (Description from Amazon.com) 

This was a real page-turner for me! I opened this book and three hours later flipped the final page. I was captivated from start to finish.

Levithan creates a fantastic character in A. You have no idea (as s/he doesn't) whether A is a boy or a girl, what s/he looks like, you only have a sense of his/her personality. What an intriguing concept! What a great way to get down to the real root of a character.

I loved, too, that Levithan did not let A take the easy route in any of his/her choices. The book ends perfectly in a very realistic and believable way. Though we may want true love to triumph at all time, logistics become a huge factor in real life. I was rooting for Rhiannon and A all along, but I really loved how Levithan wrapped things up...

Definitely worth picking up if you haven't already.

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my Library

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

Please Ignore Vera Dietz
by A. S. King

Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to? (Description from Amazon.com) 

Okay, I give you this review full of trepidation.  Why, you ask? Well, not only have I been recommended A.S. King's books by, well, just about every librarian I know, but this book in particular has been lauded over and over.  It won a Printz Honor and has made COUNTLESS award nomination lists.  One of my librarian friends (Heather, you know who you are!) actually grew up with A.S. King and has been hounding me because I'd never read any of her books.  

So, what's the problem? ...the book didn't really do it for me. *braces for shouting and slapping* 

I liked it...mostly, but I in no way experienced the deep love that I had been anticipating.  I have no idea of that's in part due to the high bar I set for the book or because I listened to it on audio, so couldn't completely immerse myself in Vera in the fifteen minutes here and there that I was listening... I just didn't get it.  

I found Vera to be a very real and fully formed character. I liked the storyline and thought that it was very thoughtful...but I was never "wowed." 

I am hoping to pick up ASK THE PASSENGERS soon. I've heard again that this is a stellar book, so hopefully that one will hit me the right way. If not, I guess it may be that A.S. King's books aren't for me. We'll have to see... 

Full disclosure: Audio book borrowed from my Library

This Week's Library Loot (12)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire fromThe Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

My Library Loot:

Boundless
by Cynthia Hand
Unearthly, book three

Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Companion 
by Neil Gaiman

I Represent Sean Rosen 
by Jeff Baron

Poison Most Vial 
by Benedict Carey

So, that's what I picked up at my Library this week... did you swing by yours?

Four Secrets

Four Secrets
by Margaret Willey

"I don't know if all schools are like mine, but at North Holmes they have this thing that can happen, from out of the blue, and there is even a code word for it it's called getting stung."

Katie, Nate, and Renata had no farther to fall.
"They become like scorpions; they sting you till you die."

But when they hit the bottom of the social ladder, they found each other. Together, they might be able to change things. To stop the torment.

"We were united. We were going to take a stand."

So they made a plan. One person seemed to have everyone's secrets and all the power. If they could stop him...

"We needed first of all to get Chase alone. Away from his friends."

But secrets are complicated, powerful things. They are hard to keep. And even a noble plan can go horribly wrong. 

"What a dark and terrible place this school is." (description from Amazon.com)

This one will suck you right in. 

It starts with Katie, Nate, and Renata being in juvenile detention for having kidnapped Chase and keeping him hostage for almost a week. Told in alternating chapters from each of their perspectives, you slowly learn what happened. Why they ever thought this idea might work and how they got caught. You find out that they each had a secret...a secret that they'd do almost anything to keep everyone else from finding out... 

I couldn't put this one down.

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my Library

Pinned

Pinned
by Sharon Flake

Autumn and Adonis have nothing in common and everything in common. Autumn is outgoing and has lots of friends. Adonis is shy and not so eager to connect with people. But even with their differences, the two have one thing in common--they're each dealing with a handicap. For Autumn, who has a learning disability, reading is a painful struggle that makes it hard to focus in class. But as her school’s most aggressive team wrestler, Autumn can take down any problem. Adonis is confined to a wheelchair. He has no legs. He can't walk or dance. But he’s a strong reader who loves books. Even so, Adonis has a secret he knows someone like Autumn can heal.

In time, Autumn and Adonis are forced to see that our greatest weaknesses can turn into the assets that forever change us and those we love. (description from Amazon.com)

I actually was not that fond of this book. 

 While I liked the fact that Autumn liked Adonis and didn't care at all that he's in a wheelchair, Adonis was pretty much a jerk through the whole book. Even when he comes to appreciate her for who she is, he still wants to keep it a secret that he likes her. No girl should have to settle for that. 

 I also had a hard time reading this book in Autumn's voice, because I kept correcting her speech in my head (example - she would say "I don't read good and teacher keep pushin'" and in my head I would read the sentence then replay it in my head as "I can't read that well and my teacher keeps pushing me to try harder."). It just became exhausting. Ugh.

Not on my recommended list.

Full disclosure: Borrowed through interlibrary loan