Now I Really Want To Go Surfing

Second Star, Alyssa B. Sheinmel

A retelling of Peter Pan, this one is a beautiful, haunting summer read. It will make you long for the sun and sand and have you grabbing your surf board and wetsuit to catch some waves.

Our main character, Wendy, has just graduated from high school and is the only person that believes that her missing twin brothers are still alive. Her parents and friends believe the story that the police told them, that John and Michael disappeared surfing a legendarily huge wave in January. So, Wendy decides to spend the summer finding her brothers and proving that they're out there.

Her journey brings her to Kensington, a perfect surfing cove home to a family of lost teenagers and a surfing drug dealer with a heart of gold. My favorite part of the book was probably the descriptions of her time at Kensington, with its perfect waves and the family of boys living there. While there, she also learns to surf which absolutely one hundred percent made me want to pick my board up again.

This one is a relatively quick read but it's beautiful and haunting and full of feels and a perfect way to kick off summer. It has a mystical, beautiful feel to it and lyrical, descriptive writing that will put you right there on the beach in California with Wendy, Pete and Belle.

An ideal read to get you in the summer mood and remind you that summer (and first love) are fleeting so you should appreciate them while you can.

Unlike Anything I've Read Before, And Not Just Because of the Giant Grasshoppers

Grasshopper Jungle, Andrew Smith

This book received a lot of buzz in the months leading up to its publication, and with good reason. There were heaps of shiny, complimentary advance reviews and pictures on the front of Indie list, and I must say that the novel doesn't disappoint in the slightest.

After reading Winger, Andrew Smith quickly became an author that I wanted to watch. I thought that he had written a brilliant piece that was able to transition from a light hearted, amusing tale to something meaningful and thought provoking. So, when this one came out, I was curious and excited to read it.

The premise is a bit odd: Austin and his best friend Robby accidentally bring about the end of humanity by unleashing an army of giant praying mantises upon their small town. However, the book is so much more than that and it is absolutely unlike anything else I have ever read, and not just because of the human sized grasshoppers.

The story is funny, multilayered, interesting and surprising, and the end is absolutely fantastically executed.

Some highlights from my point of view:

Austin is constantly questioning his sexuality and Smith doesn't hold back from realistically describing the horniness of a teenage boy.

Despite being about giant grasshoppers, this book feels almost more realistic than anything else I've read. It doesn't feel like sci-fi, fantasy or dystopia but like realistic fiction.

The way that it's written ties all of these little tiny pieces together into a massive web and shows the consequences and interconnections between each piece brilliantly. This aspect is slightly mind blowingly brilliant.

You will laugh out loud at moments like Austin getting in trouble for writing an essay about Catholic boys masturbating in The Chocolate War.

This is one of the most unique and entertaining novels that I've read in a long time, and Smith has created something that is incomparable in my book. The writing style, characters, and plot are incredibly written and this is a novel that has stuck in my mind and which I am constantly recommending to readers. A true delight to read.

A Messy Wonderful Heart Eating Character Study

Sinner, Maggie Stiefvater

Sinner is all of the things that I said above, messy, wonderful, heart eating and much more.

With main characters Isabel Culpeper and Cole St. Clair, this one was bound to hurt at least a little. Revisiting the Shiver universe, this novel answers the dangling question of their unresolved storyline and follows their attempts to keep going, day after day. Cole goes out to L.A. for Isabel, but nothing is ever easy with the two of them, and redemption is a long road for two sinners.

Both characters are gloriously damaged, broken and misunderstood by the world, and Stiefvater does a wonderful job conveying their brokenness as the two of them try to sort themselves out. As Cole tries not to crash and burn (again) on a reality show, and Isabel tries to lose the ability to feel, they gravitate around each other, constantly pulling back together even when logic advises otherwise. Cole obsesses over his inability to lose his past self, and Isabel can't understand why she has to feel everything when it would be so much easier to just let it all go.

At its heart, this is a novel about two broken people trying to find solace in each other, and at its heart it is a character study. Stiefvater is a master of writing complex, realistic, believable characters and this is some of her best work. All of the characters are stellar, from Cole and Isabel to some new favorites of mine, Leon (a chauffeur who becomes a project of Cole's) and Sofia (Isabel's neurotic and endearing cousin).

In addition to the characters, Stiefvater (who I understood took a trip to L.A. as "research" for this novel) makes L.A. into a neon wonderland, a place where pretty and ugly feed off of each other, pop stars have warehouses of sky blue cars and people are always looking out for disasters. The city becomes a character in itself, so vibrant and real that you feel as if you are there, with the sand under your toes and the sun beating down over the black and white cars stuck in traffic.

Fans of the Shiver trilogy will rejoice in small cameos from Grace and Sam, and revel in the return to Isabel and Cole's relationship. Truly one of the best novels Stiefvater has ever written, a masterpiece of heartache, longing and the pain of feeling things too strongly.

Warning: readers prepare yourselves because this book brings the feels. 

Sinner will be on sale on July 1, 2014. 

I Think I'm Ready for College but Maybe Not

Roomies, Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

 Recently, I've been on a streak of books that take place the summer between high school graduation and the first year of college, maybe because I'm a senior now and it feels appropriate but also because I really like books that deal with college. And better yet, this one was half-written by goddess Sara Zarr, which of course meant I waited anxiously for its release from the day that I heard about it.

This story revolves around Elizabeth, or EB, and Lauren, who learn that they will soon be roommates for their freshman year of college. The narration alternates between the two girls, and the email exchange between them is sprinkled throughout the chapters. Each girl had a distinct voice, and I enjoyed getting to know the two of them. Both of them seemed to grow a lot throughout the story, especially as it became clear that there were more similarities between them then they had initially thought.

Although the story centers on the relationship between EB and Lauren, it also looks realistically at their relationships with their friends, families, and boyfriends in the face of going away to college. The authors did a great job depicting the anxiety and questioning that can come with going away to college, as the girls try to figure out where they stand in their relationships if they won't be together anymore. Better yet was the romance between each of the girls and their boyfriends was authentic and masterfully done. I thought that both relationships were well executed because they captured the questioning and back and worth that comes with teenage relationships perfectly. Similarly, I thought that the relationships between the girls and their parents were well done. I loved Lauren's family, and her shifting feelings about them, as well as the growth and change between EB and her mom.

Overall, this was a book that gave a perfect snapshot of that last summer before college, and I would recommend it to anyone who's getting ready to go off to college, or who wants to revisit the glory days. Both authors do a fantastic job, and every word and page felt authentic to me, even if the story is a little bit like a soap opera (but they get points for acknowledging it!).

This Book Will Save Your Life (Or at least change it forever)

This Song Will Save Your Life, Leila Sales




I will confess, I read this book like a wildfire, in one sitting and then I told everyone I knew about it. This book is a piece of treasure, to be passed around on street corners and in warehouse dance clubs and under the table at fancy dinners. I want to preach its gospel on every street corner and hand deliver it to every person out there that it could maybe teach something, anything.

I don't think I'll soon (or ever) forget what I read on these pages. I read it, bookmarked a number of pages to go back to, and then went out and bought my own copy the next morning (after reading well into the night).

It's the story of Elise, a high school student who is irreparably labeled "weird" by her classmates and struggles with the idea that she'll never fit in with them, despite her efforts to educate herself in the ways of the popular. She feels alone enough to almost commit suicide, and her almost is enough to land her on a suicide watch in a hospital. Elise's story felt masterfully real to me. Sales didn't skate over anything in this book, the realities of high school and life and relationships spilled out over the page.

I am always driven to character built stories, and every character in this felt real to me. Elise and her thirst for projects. Char's inability to commit and desperate need to be needed. Sally and Chava's obsession with the lives of those they wish to be. Her parents, who were of the more realistic YA parents I've read recently. They were worried about they daughter but they were trying and they had problems but they worked on them. It was a truly great feeling to see that her parents weren't villains or monsters or absent, they were real people.

But it was mostly about Elise.

Here are a few of the gems that stuck out to me:

       "My entire childhood, I embarked on projects. Big, all-encompassing projects. When I was eight years old, my project was a dollhouse... When I was eleven I became fascinated by collages... My last project was becoming cool. That one didn't work so well. I don't know why, exactly. I put as much effort into becoming cool as I ever put into my collages, but my collages turned out beautiful, while becoming cool turned out ugly and warped."

 

"My parents separated when I was four years old, and Mom blames the dissolution of their marriage entirely on Dad... She felt that I was now old enough to understand what went wrong between them- which is reprehensible, by the way. You are never old enough to hear details about your parents' marital problems."

And maybe my favorite:

"Sometimes people think they know you. They know a few facts about you, and they piece you together in a way that makes sense to them. And if you don't know yourself very well, you might even believe that they are right. But the truth is, that isn't you. That isn't you at all."

 

 

This book made me feel a lot of feelings, and I was truthfully barely comfortable with some of the depth of emotion I felt because Elise's situations and emotions were so relatable and right that they were nearly overwhelming.

 

Pick this book up today, and be ready to see the world in a slightly different (or very different) lens.

 

-April 

Books To Look Forward to in 2014

Although I think that every year will be a good year for reading, I see 2014 as an especially spectacular one. Many of my favorite authors are publishing new books, and there's a lot of really exciting stuff out there. That said, here are the books that I'm looking forward to the most in 2014!

The Blood of Olympus, Rick Riordan

I have always and will always read everything that Rick Riordan writes. Percy Jackson is so unique and funny and wonderful that he deserves to be known as one of the best YA writers of the last decade but I think that the Heroes of Olympus series is his best work. Maybe it's because the characters are closer to my age, but I like the way that his writing has evolved as his characters have aged. the novels are longer and more complex, the subject matter more mature and more intense, but the still feel like the Rick Riordan we know and love. After the chaos of the last few books in the series, I have an equal mix of excitement and dread for this final book. I'm sure it'll be spectacular but probably also heart wrenching and wild.

          October 7, 2014.

We Were Liars, E. Lockhart

This one I've actually already read but I think that the internet and best seller lists are going to explode when it's released. E. Lockhart has written another intricate masterpiece, and proven her brilliance yet again. I was struck by every little detail in this novel, from the little epithets about the characters to the swoon and the intricate plot. The story was so well crafted and all of the characters created so carefully that everything comes together perfectly. I have an enormous amount of respect for E. Lockhart's versatility, from Frankie Landau-Banks (one of the best YA novels ever) to the Boy Book series, which I enjoyed immensely, to this incredible piece of work. I see this as the book of 2014.
                                            May 13, 2014

Ruins, Dan Wells
                 
 I have told many people that I was shocked by my enjoyment of the first Partials book. When I read the description, it didn't sound like my cup of tea, but for some reason that I don't recall exactly, I decided to give it a try and I am very happy that I did. I read the first two books in one sitting each, and I think that their unique storyline and inventive world are well executed. I am very much looking forward to this third installment, and I expect   that it will be just as good as the other two. Let's see if Kira can manage to bridge the gap between humans and Partials, save both species and final understand who she really is.
                                    March 11, 2014

The Young Elites, Marie Lu

This one doesn't have a cover just yet but it has a title and a teaser of a summary. It sounds like another intense fantasy/dystopia by Marie Lu so naturally, I would do anything to get my hands on it. I have long been an advocate of the Legend series, and I thought she did a terrific job carrying the momentum through the series and creating a dystopian trilogy that was different from anything else on the market. Therefore, I am eagerly awaiting the fall release of this one to get started on another series by her, especially because I'm still sad that the other one had to end.

The Geography of You and Me, Jennifer E. Smith

I have always been known to fall for at least a few contemporary romance novels each year, and Jennifer E. Smith captured my imagination with just the titles and covers of each of her books let alone the cute and imaginative stories. The characters were fun and entertaining and not always perfect, which is a good quality in a YA narrative. Both stories were just a little bit outside the realm of everyday possibility but in a way that just made them all the better. Props to her, and I think that this new one will just add to the legacy that she's creating as one of the best new YA romance writers, right up there with Stephanie Perkins and Sarah Dessen.
                April 15, 2014

Isla and the Happily Ever After, Stephanie Perkins
                                                      
Speaking of Stephanie Perkins and my undying love of her work, the conclusion to her group of companion novels (I won't call them a series) is finally appearing in print. I feel like I've been waiting for this series for eternity, but I will love her books forever and this is probably the book that I'm looking forward to the most. (Except for those written by a certain Ms. Stiefvater). I fell rapidly in love with every character in each of her books and I am one of those people that felt almost equally besotted with Anna and Lola, plus the Anna/ Etienne appearance in Lola made me cry with happiness. My expectations for this conclusion are high, and although I will probably cry when it ends, I will probably also reread it so many times that it won't ever really end.
         March 13, 2014





Sinner  and Raven Boys III, Maggie Stiefvater


As I mentioned before, I think Maggie Stiefvater's books will top my list in 2014. I really think she's the goddess of YA literature and I would follow her to the ends of the Earth. (Do you hear that Maggie?! I'm a willing participant for a trip to the end of the Earth in your hell tinged Camaro!!) Sinner sounds brilliant, and, as Cole and Isabelle were always sort of my favorite Shiver characters, I think the idea of a story wrapping up their loose ends is a magnificent undertaking. I'm certain that this will live up to anticipation and I think the fact that she waited until she felt that she had a story is a good indicator of the care that went into its writing. Better than that though, is the anticipation of the third book in the Raven Cycle. I have not read the first two books more times than those of any other series, and the characters feel like my family. I am eagerly RAVENOUSLY awaiting the release of this third book, which I will probably read more than ten times in 2014.
            Sinner- July 1, 2014, RBIII- Probably September 2014

Grasshopper Jungle, Andrew Smith

People on the internet are already buzzing about Andrew Smith's new book, although it's not out for another month. This seems like a promising sign. Yesterday, I said that his book Winger was one of the best and most unique books that I read in 2014, and from what I've heard about this one, it will live up to that legacy. It sounds a little eccentric and a lot fun and I think that it could be another step in revolutionizing YA lit. His novels depart from every norm that YA has, and he is forging a path into new territory. This one looks enormously fun and tremendously memorable, and I won't be surprised if I don't get anything done on February 11 because I'm busy reading.
          February 11, 2014





Revealed, Margaret Peterson Haddix

This one doesn't have a cover yet, but it does have a title and it does have my massive anticipation. I have long been a disciple of Ms. Haddix, and I think that this series is her best work. Her research is impeccable and the storyline is fascinating and well thought out. Before each book, I find myself trying to imagine what historical period they could be sent to next, and also what Jonah's true identity is. I recommend these books to people all of the time, often using the completely true selling point that I'm still reading them even though I'm not an 8-12 anymore. The stories are complex and full of twists that are shocking and gut wrenching and brilliantly executed. Gosh, now I'm stuck daydreaming about where they could go next......
         Supposedly appearing in February 2014, despite the lack of a cover

To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Jenny Han

To say that I'm excited about this book would be an understatement. I feel head over heels for her from the first page, first glimpse, of The Summer I Turned Pretty and I've enjoyed everything that she's written since. The premise of this one sounds light hearted and real and funny and I think it's going to be one of the best new contemporary romances of the year. The idea of accidentally mailing letters to past crushes hits home in weird ways (sending draft texts to boys accidentally, whoops) and I have faith that she'll be able to pull it off well.
        April 22, 2013








There's my roundup of the books I'm most looking forward to this year, each of which promises that this will be a good year for YA. Any that I missed? Post them in the comments, I wouldn't want to miss anything good!

My Best of 2013

Reading lots of books has always been my thing, and I average about 130 books a year. That said, here are my Best of 2013. Some of them may not have been published in 2013 and some of them may not have been published yet at all.

The Dream Thieves, Maggie Stiefvater

The Dream Thieves picks up where The Raven Boys left off, and delivers a plot built upon the cryptic last line of the first novel. The expectation of a more Ronan- centric plot line thrilled me, and this book delivered. As implied by the title, the story centers around Ronan’s ability to take objects from his dreams and into real life. With the multiple perspective writing style utilized by Stiefvater, the reader is also able to witness the internal struggles of Blue, Gansey and Adam as they are each forced to face their hidden demons. New villains the Gray Man and Joseph Kavinsky are delightfully deceptive, and each bring out fresh storylines and unexpected turns that keep the plot progressing. Ronan delves deeper into his abilities, Adam struggles with defining his identity and his role in awakening the ley line, Gansey worries about how to deal with the growing chaos surrounding their hunt, and Blue’s psychically predicted love for Gansey grows. Stiefvater’s character centric style allows the reader to feel intimately connected to each of the main characters, who defy the traps of typical teenage stereotypes and stand out as unique. Stiefvater is endlessly creative and may actually be the goddess of young adult literature.  She is able to write unique plots with fascinating, multi-layered characters that have qualities that are relatable, despite their supernatural circumstances. Hats off to you, for writing a sequel every bit as good as I'd hoped.

Eleanor and Park, Rainbow Rowell

I read this book in one day, moved about twice the whole time and immediately decided that Rainbow Rowell is one of my favorite authors. This book captured my heart and had me overflowing with love for the characters right from the beginning. Every word was wonderful and it truly is a work of art. This story hits hard, but in all the right ways, and it captures feelings that are more real than almost any other book I've ever read. These characters aren't perfect, and they aren't cool or gorgeous but they are so right. Rainbow Rowell should just write and write and write and I will read every page. This book made me feel everything. I don't think there are words for my feelings. Perfection.

 Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell









To continue my ode to Rainbow Rowell, I have Fangirl. Rainbow Rowell is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I loved Eleanor & Park, and although Fangirl is quite different, I loved it just as much. I savored reading it, trying to make the story last because the characters were all so perfect. Cath's fan fiction obsession was so real that I was practically googling Carry On, Simon to get reading. I related to Cath more than almost any other character that I've ever read, and her story was so real and raw and realistic that I could have kept reading and reading and still been happy. Also, I occasionally laughed out loud. Also also, I wrote about this book in my college application essay because it's that important to me.

Just One Year, Gayle Forman

I have now read four Gayle Forman books in one sitting per book. This one lived up to my expectations, and finally answered the questions I'd been left wondering about for far too long. The close misses in this were torture, even though I knew how it would end, but I loved hearing Willem's side and experiencing his voice. It was charming and occasionally painful and perfect and my only complaint is that I wish she would write a sequel so I could know what happens next! Willem's story was just as compelling as Allyson's in my opinion, and the journeys that each of them undertake to find each other and find themselves are executed perfectly.

Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire , Elizabeth Wein











I have told many people that they need to read this book and I have also told many people that it was the best book I read last year. There is no other word for Elizabeth Wein than brilliant, and this book deserves every bit of the press that it receives. It's difficult to put into words the emotion that I feel for this book because it is so incredible and unlike anything else. The characters, especially Verity and Maddie, are spectacularly drawn and the historical backdrop is flawlessly executed. This is a piece of literature, and I want to preach its gospel to everyone I see and hand a copy to everyone that walks into my bookstore. If you haven't read this, I expect that you stop reading right now, acquire a copy, and read it before  you do anything else.











I think Elizabeth Wein is brilliant. This story was certainly vastly different from Code Name Verity however I loved it just as much. I was wowed by Rose, happy to see Maddie again and impressed yet again by Wein's writing style. She is truly a master story teller and I absolutely loved this novel, despite its intense subject matter. At some points all I wanted was to help Rose out, but she didn't need the help because she was pretty damn incredible. My heart, much like that of the Grinch, swelled three sizes while reading this book because I was overflowing with emotion for these characters. There is nothing else like this out there, and I think it's a story everyone should read.

Winger, Andrew Smith










When asked in September what my favorite books from the summer were, I responded that they were Winger  and The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont before realizing that both of those books take place at boarding schools and include major plotlines around gay characters. Still not sure what that says about me. I started this book as a refreshing change of pace from my usual reads. It then turned into so much more than that. I felt a seemingly inexplicable draw to Ryan Dean and all of his confusion and frustration and hilarity. He felt so real to me.  As the story drew on, I became more and more emotionally invested in the characters and events leading up to the concluding moments. The ending was beautifully written, even if the shift from semi light- hearted to serious was sudden and almost rushed. This book was a complete departure from any of my reading norms but it was also unforgettable.


We Were Liars, E.Lockhart

E. Lockhart is so, so brilliant and she has written another masterpiece. I love it and will treasure it and reread it over and over. She built an incredible piece of literature, playing with the reader and mesmerizing them. So incredible. Everyone should read this and then find someone else who's read it and talk about it with them. I was shocked and enthralled and thoroughly devoured and then spit out by this book. It played with all the little pieces in my head and mixed up all my feelings in a crazy abstract swirl. I won't reveal too much because it's not out until May but I swooned and cried and played crazy mind games with this book and I concluded that E. Lockhart is either a genius or an evil supervillain who toys with her readers' emotions.

Gorgeous, Paul Rudnick

At first I found myself annoyed by Becky's inner monologue, but by the end of the book I was fully wrapped up in the story and anxious to know how it would end. In the first few chapters, I felt like the author was trying too hard to make Becky into the sassy, plucky teen heroine but eventually I adjusted. I enjoyed the storyline for the most part although there were occasional parts that bothered me and I flew through most of the story, curious about the ending. Overall I was satisfied and woul...more This book is funny and unique and almost a fairy tale if fairy tales were snarky. At first I found myself annoyed by Becky's inner monologue, but by the end of the book I was fully wrapped up in the story and anxious to know how it would end. In the first few chapters, I felt like the author was trying too hard to make Becky into the sassy, plucky teen heroine but eventually I adjusted. I enjoyed the storyline for the most part although there were occasional parts that bothered me and I flew through most of it, rabidly curious about the ending. Overall I was satisfied and would recommend this to others for something a little different and a really, really fun piece of writing. Kudos to Paul Rudnick for building a creative story that provides intelligent and funny social commentary and goes in an utterly unexpected direction.

Wonder, R.J. Palacio










Wonder is truly a wonder. This book could be cliche, or a little cheesy, and maybe it is but I still thought that it was beautiful. I understand why schools are recommending this, and we've been telling everyone at my book store to pick it up. Completely worth buying in hardcover. I made my mom read it and my best friend read it and tell everyone else I know about it. It's a little more middle grade than young adult, but Auggie's story will strike a chord with anyone and everyone.   Each little detail made his story that much more real and he was so easy to fall in love with that I felt like my heart was breaking from the very first page. The different perspectives were written and utilized masterfully, and this is really a work of art.

The Selection, Kiera Cass










 This book captivated me. At first I was unsure how I felt about America and her unwillingness to enter the Selection. Truthfully, I never warmed up to her romance with Aspen and kept forgetting his name as the story went on. So that subplot and her initial refusal to consider Maxon bothered me, but as soon as she left Carolina, I was trapped in the story. I loved the details of the Selection and the other girls and I fell head over heels for Prince Maxon. My stomach fluttered the first time they kissed and I was thrilled with the way the story developed. I was finally happy with America after she tells Aspen she's in it for herself and no one else. Overall, the palace, the dresses and the characters drew me in and enchanted me right through the end of the story and I'm already looking forward to the sequel. Maybe it's because I've always wanted to be a princess and wear gorgeous dresses and fall in love with a prince, but I fell in love with this world and as soon as I finished, I wanted to go back.

In addition, I have a few honorable mentions of books that I reread this year by authors that I love, an one book that I didn't count because it's an adult book. On the reread boat, I reread John Green's The Fault in Our Stars several more times, and it's still one of the most fantastic works of YA literature out there right now. I also journeyed back through my favorite Sarah Dessen books, including This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, and What Happened to Goodbye. When I'm in the mood for realistic fiction or something that just feels like me, I love to pick up her books and reread them because they mean something different to me every time. I also reread The Hunger Games in the wake of the second movie, and I found myself racing through them with great intensity even though it was probably the fourth or fifth time I'd read them. One final honorable mention is The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont, which I didn't include because it's an adult book but it is truly incredible an unforgettable and brilliant and you should all go read it.

-April