Hauntingly delicious...

I'll admit - there are three reasons I purchased this book: (1) I was going to meet Jackson Pearce at the Decatur Book Festival; (2) the cover of awesomesauce; (3) the witch. 

I hate meeting authors when I have not yet read their books. I feel like it is almost a betrayal because I cannot let them know how much I enjoyed getting lost in their story. With my hectic school schedule, that was not an option this year. So I decided to save it for fall break when it would be October, my favorite month of the year. 

Let me just say that it was the right decision - the creep factor in this novel makes it worthy of an October read.

Summary (from Goodreads):

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch-like monster in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they stumble upon a sleepy Southern town and are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Sophia molds candied magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel finally start to forget their haunted past - until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, who gives Gretchen a reason to fear Sophia: girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable 'witch' of Gretchen's nightmares. Can Gretchen save herself, the girls of Live Oak, and Sophia?

Of one thing, Gretchen is certain: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

My thoughts:

"There it is - the fear, crawling up through me from somewhere deep in my chest. 

It's darkly comforting and familiar, a friend I despise. I've never known myself 

without the fear - as much as I want it gone, I'm not even sure who I'd be 

if I woke up without it." - Gretchen

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Again, I saved it for October because it seemed like the appropriate time to help me celebrate the creepiest month of the year. There were times when I was reading this and had to put it down and step away. Not because it was bad. Because it was that good. 

Pearce thrusts readers into a retelling of an age-old fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel, and delivers a solid story. As the story begins she uses repetition and alliteration, two strategies often found in children's stories. They helped ease me into the story, providing a rhythm that seemed to calm me as I read the heart-pumping "Prologue." As the story progresses, Pearce abandons the repetition and alliteration because it is no longer a children's tale. This is a tale of survival - a tale of finding one's true self - a tale of facing one's fears.

The development of Gretchen and Ansel as characters is right on target. Pearce leaves nothing to the imagination with these two - except what happened to their sister. Instead, she creates a clout of mystery and intrigue around Sophia and the town of Live Oak, leaving the reader to question what is the true story of the disappearance of eight young girls as well as Gretchen and Ansel's sister.

The story's conclusion is rife with action - making this a unisex read. This is not a story just for girls; it is a story for all readers of all ages.

Readers will feel satisfied long after the story is finished - maybe even question walking next to the woods for a wee bit of time. This is what makes Sweetly worth the read.

Swoon over Anna and the French Kiss

See, isn't she adorable?

I heard Stephanie Perkins speak at the Decatur Book Festival. I was at the panel to see Elizabeth Eulberg, but I enjoyed hearing Perkins as well. She was so adorable, and I was in love with her stockings.  

For this panel it seemed everyone was there to meet her, so I decided that as a future teen librarian it was important that I read her books. After all, it is my responsibility to know what's "hot," right? At least, that is always my justification when I abuse, I mean use, my husband's B&N employee discount. 

I am so glad that I took the time to see what all the fuss was about. The moment I finished the book I knew exactly which students would appreciate Perkins' storytelling.

Summary (from Goodreads):

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

My thoughts:

"I wish for the thing that is best for me."

It is moments like the one above that make me fall in love with this book. To say that Perkins is talented at writing about first true love is an understatement. She captures the feelings, the doubts, the fears with such care and consideration that readers will long feel satisfied, even after they have placed the novel on their shelves.

Anna is a solid character. While I found myself frustrated with her throughout, it was also important to remember that she was a senior in high school. I teach juniors and seniors, and thus have a front row seat to their thoughts, feelings, rationales. Perkins is dead on with all of those in this novel.

Her character development is strong - providing not only a main protagonist but also a cast of supporting characters that lead Anna on her journey of self-discovery and of first love. Etienne St. Clair develops as the perfect foil for Anna. Meredith, Rashmi, and Josh round out the friendship circle, providing readers with a tight nit group of friends to accept Anna into her new school and her new life in Paris, if only for a year. And of course this cannot be a true high school novel without the queen bee "mean girl" Amanda. Her character made me wonder how many Perkins encountered in high school because she was spot on with her. Actually, she was spot on with all of her characters.

The pacing of the novel is also nicely done. Sometimes in novels like this readers are thrust into elements that are not necessary for moving the plot (or the characters) forward. This was not the case with this novel. Every element was working towards the novel's conclusion. 

While there were elements that were predictable, it was still enjoyable. To say that I loved every page is an understatement, and Perkins has won me as a loyal reader of her work. It is refreshing to pick up a novel and know that no matter what,  I will have warm fuzzies at the end.

I wonder how many teens this book will inspire to look into attending school in Paris so they too can not only find themselves but also find true love?

Why should you read this book? 

The answer is simple - this is what love is about. This is how love should be. This is what should have happened to me while I was at boarding school in Paris. Okay, maybe that part is not true, but the rest is. You should read this book because it is a great story with a hot male character. No seriously, where was St. Clair when I was in high school? Guys were never that hot. They were too busy being guys. Not that St. Clair isn't a guy; he is. He is just a hot one. An "out of my league" sort of guy. Okay, he's not even real. I get it; he is a character. But he is still hot. Did I mention you should read this book because there is a hot guy in it? Swoon!

On a side note: I used this novel as a reward for completing tasks from my "to do" list. I am on fall break, but there are still things I need to accomplish. I was so grateful to finish today's task because I sat in my big, comfy chair at 11 AM and did not get up until I finished this book at 4:30 - I enjoyed it that much. So if you feel as if you just do not have time to read this book (or any book), use chapters as rewards. That is what I did, and it worked wonderfully. I ended up finishing my tasks faster because I was ready to jump back into Anna's world.

In My Mailbox (13)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme sponsored by The Story Siren.  It is a way for bloggers to network and share what books they are reviewing, borrowing, and/or buying.

This week two of my books are repeats because I received them as ARCs.  

Won from Nayu's Reading Corner - thanks Jessica:

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - excited to read this one. It has been getting a lot of positive buzz on other blogs.

Purchased from B&N:

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick - I love Nora and Patch and cannot wait to see where the author takes us. I've read nothing but positive reviews on this book, but of course I have because the series is awesomesauce!

Received as an ARC: 

Wildwood by Colin Meloy - I purchased an autographed copy at the Decatur Book Festival, but then I received an ARC. Look for a giveaway on this soon.

Eve by Anna Carey - I downloaded this from Netgalley and was in the middle of reading it when I received the ARC. So, I put down the digital copy and went for the printed one.

  That's what's in my mailbox this week - what's in yours? Have you read any of the above?

Happy reading to you all!

Note: The two ARCs I received were from the local B&N store where my husband is an employee.

Friendship, Family, and Espionage

Summary (from Goodreads):

It's 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows - a fascinating boy who's not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin's father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary's sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies - Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster.

Together with Ian Schoenherr's breathtaking illustrations, this is a truly stunning package from cover to cover. 

My thoughts: 

Loved every moment of this novel. The plot was inventive, and the reader was magnificent.

Fourteen-year-old Janie and her parents move from L.A. to London in 1952 to escape questions of communism. In London her parents will write for a new Robin Hood series, and Janie will continue being fourteen - just with a new school and new friends.

Instead, Janie becomes friends with Benjamin Burrows whose only dream in life is to become a spy. He has already picked out his first suspected Russian "spy" to watch, and soon Janie and Benjamin are caught up in more than either ever bargained for.

Benjamin's father is an apothecary and expects his son to follow in his footsteps, but Benjamin wants more out of life than selling hot water bottles. Little does he know who his father really is nor why following in his footsteps could lead him to his real future as a spy.

The heart of this story lies with the friendship formed between Janie and Benjamin. At first it seems that readers will follow Janie, but soon it becomes apparent that Benjamin is an equally important piece of this plot's puzzle.

The strength lies with the fast-moving plot. The author does not hold back, thrusting readers into an international tale of friendship, family, and espionage.

The character development is spot on with interesting twists and turns throughout. Even the novel's conclusion is tightly woven together and will leave readers satisfied. That was my one true fear: how would this end and leave me satisfied? Meloy accomplished just that, and The Apothecary is going to have a strong hold on childrens literature for years to come.

I did this as an audio, and the reader was fantastic. She enhanced my experience with the characters and with the plot, creating imagery that I would have been robbed had I read it in print. With that said, I have read the print version contains beautiful illustrations, and I plan to check them out to see if the illustrator captured on paper what I captured in my mind.

Eve, the savior of humanity?

Title and author: Eve By Anna Carey

Date: October 4, 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

ISBN: 9780062048509

Source: NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her. 

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life. 

In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in Eve’s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure.

My Thoughts:   

An interesting read, Eve brings to light a future that is quite possible, and only a few years away. The idea of a plague wiping out the population is what makes this story terrifying.

Eve is thrust into a life she has never known. While she may be the Valedictorian, she has not acquired the knowledge necessary for survival in the wild. That is, until she meets Caleb. Their relationship shows her that she is tough, that she is capable, and that she is ready to take on whatever the wild may bring.

I found the ending quite a surprise and yet not at the same time. At the novel’s conclusion I had flashbacks to certain parts of the novel that I realized were foreshadowing what was to come, and this made me smile. I almost felt “tricked” because as an English teacher I should have honed in on it; instead, I found myself dismissing those tidbits of information.

As a whole I enjoyed the novel. The author does a great job developing the plot at Eve’s level, not the reader’s. The novel lulled in places for me because I was ready for more action, but Eve was not. This was an interesting tactic because many contemporary dystopian novels are all about the action, but this is not. This is very much character-driven in a different way than the others. Think a milder version of The Hunger Games. While I found HG full of action, it too was character-driven. For me, this makes Eve a strong contender in the dystopian genre.

I don’t know what the author has planned in the second novel, but let me just say that I am ready to see where she takes us next.

Eve is currently available at your local bookstore. Definitely check it out!

P.S. When you finish the novel, look back at the cover carefully. It will come full circle.

Think John Hughes on paper

Title and author: Ditched: A Love Story By Robin Mellom

Date: January 10, 2012

ISBN: 9781423143383

Source: NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.

Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.

Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.

Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom. 

And then ditched her.

Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag's moving car...

But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.

Filled with humor, charm, and romance, Ditched: A Love Story by debut novelist Robin Mellom will have readers dreaming of love on their own prom nights.

My Thoughts:   

This is one of my favorite reads of this year. It is clever, it is fun, and it is a stroll down memory lane. Think Pretty in Pink meets The Hangover meets Say Anything. This novel is a true page turner. Readers will find themselves captivated by the events as well as a bit grateful that their own prom nights did not end up like this one. Or did it? 

Justina is a delightful character. She wants one thing – to be herself. Okay, she wants more than that. A side of Ian would be lovely, but when she wakes in a ditch and begins to piece together the pieces of prom night, Ian may no longer be an option. 

Ditched contains a cast of likable characters. From Ian to the ladies in the convenience store and even the characters readers are meant to despise will find a place in your heart because all of them fill a void in the night, a void in the reader’s mind, a void that will be pieced together page by page.

The strength in this novel lies with the plot development. Mellom is skillful in her weaving of this story. The pacing is lovely, and it did not lull in a single spot. All moments revealed in the novel were a necessity for the satisfying conclusion to this modern brat-pack tale. 

Moments of triumph, of heartache, of laughter, of reminiscence are packaged between the pages. The most valuable lesson readers will walk away with at the novel’s end? Never listen to your mom when it comes to color coordinating for prom.

A great, wholesome read for teens and lovers of YA, Ditched must be added to your “I must read this” pile. It is worth every single page.

A Wonderfully Wicked Read-a-Thon - YES!

It seems like I have spent the last nine weeks of my plan playing catch up. I have not been able to read as much as I would like, and I've been so tired that a nap sounds better than even dessert. I know! The horror of choosing a nap over eating a dessert, but that is how bone tired I have been.

I am now less than 24 hours from starting fall break. Last year I traveled for nine days during fall break AND I was in Grad school, so it was not really a break. This year - my hubby and my little man will be at work/school and it will be just me...me and my books. YES! So, I have decided to join the Wonderfully Wicked Read-a-Thon. Why? Because I love books, because I love all things witchy and Halloweeny, and because I love books. 

I've never done a Read-a-Thon before, so I hope this goes well. Bring on the books! I am loaded with so many I have purchased/received that have been longing for my eyes. I cannot wait.

Stay tuned as I chronicle my reading adventures via Twitter: #WWReadathon
 

Mean Girls invade 7th grade

Title and author: Life Was Cool until You Got Popular by Sarah Billington

Date: Sept. 1, 2011

ISBN: Kindle Edition

Source: Sarah Billington

Summary (from Goodreads):

Thirteen year old Kaley’s best friend Jules is an alien clone. That has to be it. Because Jules wouldn’t dress like that or act like that…and she definitely wouldn’t be friends with Meg-a-bitch. 

Kaley can't wait to start at her new school with her best friend Jules. Jules was away in Europe all summer (worst summer of Kaley's life!) But it's cool, now school is starting and everything is going to be awesome. However as the school bus pulls up on that first day, Kaley barely recognizes the silky hair and glossy lips as Jules gets off with the cool kids and with their arch-nemesis Meg, the popular girl (God only knows why) who made Kaley and Jules's lives miserable in elementary school. In Europe, Meg had somehow won over Kaley's best friend and Kaley finds herself frozen out.   

Life Was Cool Until You Got Popular is a first person MG told through Kaley’s eyes, chronicling the initial pain and incomprehension of what happened to destroy their friendship. But that doesn't last long. Kaley decides that underneath the bleached blond clone with the personality transplant, Jules is still in there. Somewhere. And she is going to get her best friend back! 

My Thoughts:   
Kaley is a delightful heroine in this novel. From the start she is loveable as a character, and the reader will find his/herself rooting for her…and at times for Jules as well.

The author takes care with the angst of starting anew: new school, new friends, new interests, etc. This is a natural part of process called “growing up,” and this realistic portrayal is what will delight readers the most.

The heart of this novel revolves around Kaley trying to win her friend back. At times I found myself becoming frustrated with her, wanting her to just move on to better things, and better friends. After all, if Jules was truly her friend, would she be so hateful to Kaley, or most importantly, allow others to be? (Think Mean Girls times five).

Billington has created the ultimate monster in the character Meg. It makes me wonder if she herself had to contend with such a character in middle school. After all, haven’t we all encountered the one person in school whose sole purpose was to make our daily school lives a living nightmare? I loathed Meg. I loathed everything about her character. In her, the author truly captures a realistic side to the true angst of growing up female.

Since the author has provided us with such a wretch in Meg, she also offers up delightful characters, creating a nice juxtaposition in those who come into Kaley's life. These characters help bring Kaley full circle as a character, and they provide the strength that helps with the pacing of the novel. My personal favorite is Travis, and that is all I will write about him. BUT, I do hope Billington writes a follow-up because I really want to read more about him. 

And did I mention the cat fights? No? Ah, well...they are good and funny and clever. This part of the plot was reminiscent of The Parent Trap camp scenes at the start of the film.

While I enjoyed the book as a whole, I do have a single complaint. It’s a small one, I promise. The book was sprinkled quite lightly with the use of profane words. I do not mind it in literature. I do not fear language at all. As a matter of fact, I enjoy using those words myself. But it bothered me in this particular novel because it seemed so out of place in where it appeared. There was only one character that truly pulled it off for me—Jamie. But when it was used by another character, it seemed contrived. Please don’t let this scare you off from reading the book. It is in there ever so lightly that I would have missed it, but Jamie’s phrase is so comical that it actually enhanced him as a comic relief to the realistic topic at hand. 

Like realistic fiction before, Life Was Cool until You Got Popular will strike a chord with readers of all ages, not just the tweens. For readers of Naylor’s Alice books, Rennison’s Georgia Nicholson books, or Myracle’s The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life, they too will enjoy this novel.