Waiting on Wednesday 4/27

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: The Power of Six
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: August 23, 2011
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 352

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio — and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive. And I'm ready to fight.
Ok, here's the thing. Aliens are cool (in theory), but I've never really enjoyed stories with aliens in them. I find them too cliche and boring. Colour me nuts. Anyhoo, I picked up I Am Number Four on a whim, and I actually quite enjoyed it. Yes, there were parts that were a bit shaky, and there were characters that made me a bit addled after a while, but it was overall a fun and exciting read for me. So, despite the controversy surrounding James Frey and his ridiculous "Full Fathom Five," I am excited for The Power of Six...I choose to support the author behind the story (Jobie Hughes), rather than the crazy mess surrounding its creation. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

The Nightmarys Review

Monday, April 25, 2011

Title: The Nightmarys
Author: Dan Poblocki
Publisher: Random House
Published: August 24, 2010
Genre: YA, Horror
Source: Random Buzzers

Timothy July has been having nightmares. About his brother, who is in a coma after being wounded in Iraq; about his best friend, Stuart, who is behaving like a jerk; about the old biology specimens in jars lining the walls of his classroom; and about Abigail, the new girl who seems to be a magnet for trouble. Or perhaps she is the cause.

Suddenly Timothy’s nightmares are coming true. His brother, his face decaying, approaches Timothy on the street. Stuart ends up in the hospital, terrified that monsters are stalking him. And the specimen jars are tormenting not only Timothy but his teacher as well.

What is the secret in Abigail’s past that is the key to these horrors? And can Timothy figure it out before his nightmares become a deadly reality?
Timothy July has a problem. Actually, he has more than just one problem. Ever since his brother, Ben, went to Iraq, he’s been having nightmares. He doesn’t know what’s happened to his brother because his parents won’t tell him, and it’s affecting their family, his friends and life in general. Enter Abigail Tremens. Abigail is no stranger to problems either. There’s a curse that’s been plaguing her family for a long time, stemming from her grandmother. But their problems and the curse are on a collision course when Timothy and Abigail are forced to work together for a school project. Can they figure out the curse in time to stop it, or will the dangerous web keep growing?

I like horror stories. I’ll just put that out there right now. I like creepy, psychological thrillers that make me terrified of the things that go bump in the night. So, when I found The Nightmarys, I was so excited. First, take that cover. It just screams Bloody Mary (which, because I’m a freak, I love), and the curse element of the book is eerie enough to make up for the younger YA characters. Dan Poblocki knows how to spin a web of intrigue and deceit through the book. Chock full of unsettling images, vaguely horrific descriptions and a whirlwind adventure on a path to destruction, The Nightmarys isn’t your average bedtime story.

Now, here’s where I have a problem though. Creepy and intense premise aside, I felt like The Nightmarys spent more time telling me that Timothy and Abigail had a problem than describing what the actual problem was. Furthermore, both Timothy and Abigail were facing different demons, so to speak, so I found it hard to put the two together because The Nightmarys took about three quarters of the book to describe what the connection between them actually was. Now, that’s not to say that the parts that were described weren’t eerie and dark. I really loved those moments when Timothy’s nightmares were brought to life on the page, but it didn’t happen enough for me. I also felt it was hard to connect with either Timothy or Abigail because they were a bit too young, and they acted every bit as young as they were.

The Nightmarys wasn’t a bad book, per se, but it wasn’t my favourite, and I felt it could have been a lot stronger. I give it a decent 3 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to those who enjoy YA fiction, especially those who enjoy a cross between horror, paranormal and fantasy.

Tuesday Teaser/Teaser Tuesday #45

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



When he looked away, to his horror, every other artifact on the shelves was facing him too. The mouths of the idols slowly opened and closed, as if chanting silent prayers.




And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my current WIP, RACE.



I live in a world where light is dark, dark is light, and the only semblance of sanity comes from those made to kill. In a world as twisted and backwards as mine, even the little wrongs begin to seem right.

Instructions for a Broken Heart Review

Monday, April 18, 2011

Title: Instructions for a Broken Heart
Author: Kim Culbertson
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: May 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher

Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip.

At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself.
Jessa is riding high before her class trip to Italy. She's got an amazing boyfriend, great friends and the opportunity of lifetime to explore a gorgeous historic city coming up. So, when Jessa finds her boyfriend in a less than appealing situation, she's crushed. It seems as though everything that could go wrong is doing so, and she's certain her trip is ruined. Jessa didn't know just how great her friends were until now though. Giving her an excuse and a reason to step outside of her comfort zone, Jessa has the chance to be someone new in Italy, and moreso, she has the chance to find herself again.

While contemporary was never my favourite thing before, truly I'm finding a wonderful and eclectic mix of books to satiate my contemporary appetite now. Instructions for a Broken Heart doesn't have the most original of premises - cheating guy, good best friend, chance to find oneself etc. - but author Kim Culbertson has delicately balanced a strong setting, a great cast of characters and a coming-of-age story that anyone can relate to. Laugh out loud funny, tender and sweet, Instructions for a Broken Heart is one of those books that makes me feel like the character might just be me or my best friend.

The strongest part of Instructions for a Broken Heart was the main character, Jessa, in my humble opinion. It is so easy to draw a character that becomes weak and spineless in her situation, but Jessa's personality was perfectly played. She hesitates, she's flawed and she has self-doubt, but it's not in the crippling "woe is me" sense of the word. Jessa wants to find happiness and she wants to have a great time in Italy. The way the list gives her a chance to step outside herself, introduce a cast of fantastic secondary characters and show us a world of adventure was a skill in and of itself, making me enjoy and relate to Instructions for a Broken Heart that much more.

All in all, Instructions for a Broken Heart was a sweet, heartfelt and extremely approachable book. It exceeded my expectations, which were already high. I give it a strong 4.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Tuesday Teaser/Teaser Tuesday #44

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


He stayed there next to her, leaned his body against the edge of bridge. Jessa liked the way the stone curved with her body, as if the designers of the bridge knew how many people would lay against it, stare out at the water, wonder where is had all gone wrong.


And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my current WIP, RACE.



My mind is a maze of confusion and panic as I count the steps as though they're my lifeline. But there are voices singing to me as I step downwards, telling me to go no further - telling me that what lies beneath is only darkness and death.

In My Mailbox 4/10

Sunday, April 10, 2011

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books!

Now, as you probably know by now, I'm in Africa, which means I'm thousands of miles from my mailbox. If you're missing the big picture, I have zero clue what's in my mailbox right now. For that reason, I've decided to show you my new best friends here in South Africa - and they can suffice as my "mailbox" for now. We're headed back to Pretoria (home) tonight, so I'll catch up on all my blogging shtuff.






You know, just a boa constrictor and a corn snake...around my neck.







Yup, that's a meerkat. I named him Timon, and yes, this was in the wild.









Just an elephant that later sprayed me with water. I died, then I died again.






This is from our porch in Zebula. If you look to the right, there are zebras. Yes. It is that cool.

Hex Hall Review

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Children's
Published: March 2, 2010
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 323
Source: Personal Copy

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
Sophie's always known she was a freak, so why not own it, right? When yet another of her spells goes wrong, Sophie's only chance at a normal life with others like her is at a boarding school called Hecate Hall, or to its students, Hex Hall. Sophie isn't pleased she's been condemned there, and she's even less pleased to see the offbeat school in person, meet the students and discover half her life has been a lie. But there are silver linings...her vampire roommate, though odd, is pretty nice and there's a crushworthy boy just lurking in the foreground. There are mysteries in Hex Hall though, and Sophie's past and future are tied to them, making normal seem like a very lofty goal.

Again, I'm late reading Hex Hall, mainly because when I first started reviewing, it was really hyped. You know me and hype - we don't get along so well. Anyway, I finally decided to read Hex Hall, and I was actually pleasantly surprised. The author, Rachel Hawkins, has a decidedly unique writing voice. It's conversational, easy to follow and allows one to easily access the characters' minds, especially Sophie. I read fast, but Hex Hall, though fairly long, is a fast read with a steady plot, plenty of twists and turns and a lovable heroine that kept me on my toes throughout.

I will say that I don't think Hex Hall, speaking generally, is the most original story (ie - school for magic, hot boy, new students, vamps, mean girls yadda yadda), BUT Hex Hall does present these common items in a unique and interesting way. Sophie's dialogue was consistently tangible to me. She uses slang, she's snarky and her sarcasm was something I could totally relate to. Furthermore, Hex Hall had secondary characters like the hot guy, Archer Cross, who managed to step outside of his stereotype into something a little more, and Sophie's vamp roommate was a great twist on a lot of vamps in YA fiction. Mixed together with an intriguing mystery, Hex Hall is a fun and inventive tale that had me rooting for and laughing with Sophie the entire time.

I'm surprised to say this, but Hex Hall quite lived up to its hype. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, docking points only for the underlying common themes, but I definitely recommend it. I think it would be enjoyable for those who like YA, especially paranormal books with vampires, werewolves and witchcraft.

Stay Review

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Title: Stay
Author: Deb Caletti
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: April 5, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 320
Source: Galley Grab

Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....
Clara knows all too well what it means for someone to be dangerously co-dependent. It started as love, and a love far greater than she had ever known, at that, but it quickly grew into something deeper and more serious. Christian loved Clara, but he loved her to the point of possessiveness, and Clara's world became constricting and pained, despite the supposed "love" that was bestowed upon her. While he put her on a pedestal far above others, the dark lining simply meant she had farther to fall when her world crumbled beneath her. Clara needs to learn that loving herself is far greater than being the true object of one's eye.

Stay is my first stab at work by author Deb Caletti. I've heard wonderful things about her work, and I was eager to try it based on the premise. There's something haunting and more powerful about stories involving love gone wrong, but they can easily become cliche and overbearing. I can happily say that Stay defies the odds and exudes far more emotion than I could have hoped. It made me cringe, it made my cry and above all else, it made me think about self-worth. If a book can make me reflect upon my own life and my own choices, then the author has made the story ring true.

Clara was a twisty character in Stay...but this is not to be confused with twisted. She felt a sense of power in the love Christian felt for her, and it was understandable. To have that sort of love must truly build one up. She had a unique and unusual voice that completely separated her from the author's voice, which was utterly refreshing. Clara spoke in a way that was upfront, open and honest, but reading the meaning in her words was much like peeling and onion. The hidden layers beneath the words themselves took her story and character to the next level. I was also completely refreshed by her father, a secondary character with a true and defined personality. He clearly respected his daughter, but he gave her the freedom to make her own mind. Christian's character was the counterpart - eerie, dark and more haunting because of Clara's upfront approach to her situation.

I'm on a roll with contemps, it seems, and I'm so happy to have read Stay. Raw and powerful, Stay is fast-paced read but exudes both depth and feeling. I give it a firm 5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday 4/6

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Ashes, Ashes
Author: Jo Treggiari
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: June 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 352

A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park.

But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.
Two words: Dystopian fiction. Besides this contemporary kick I'm on (which I owe to Raw Blue), I have this fascination with dystopian books. There's something about the fact that a world can be so bleak but still have glimmers of hope and peace that I love. Ashes, Ashes, if it lives up to the premise, sounds dark and extremely promising. Plus, there's a touch of mystery thrown into the mix with the MC's identity, so I'm sold! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

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Soooo I know I'm super slacking on blog comments right now, but please bear with me, guys! I'm currently on my way for a holiday in South Africa to visit family, so things should be settled by tomorrow night. Thanks for staying loyal and lovely! :)

Author Interview - Megan McCafferty of Bumped

Monday, April 4, 2011



I got Megan McCafferty's new book, Bumped, through the Cornucopia of Dystopia blog tour, and was extremely excited by the newest addition to the YA dystopian genre. Unfortunately, Bumped was not my favourite book, despite my fangirl-esque take on Megan's Jessica Darling series.

After some communication back and forth, Megan was kind enough to offer to answer questions specifically regarding my qualms with Bumped. It's quite probably the most insightful author interview I've ever had, and I truly thank her for her generous answers and understanding and respect of my review.

While Bumped was not for me, I highly recommend you seek the book out yourself to form your own opinion of the book. After all, that's the beauty of the book blogosphere - we all have our own opinions, and who knows...someone's least favourite might be someone's new favourite.
1. In a dystopian genre that's fast-becoming filled with unique stories, what do you think sets Bumped apart from the rest?

There aren’t too many satirical YA novels. BUMPED is a send-up of the extreme thinking that fuels the culture wars.

2. Bumped displays an extraordinary amount of slang and foreign terminology in the first few chapters, only relaxing about halfway through the book. What do you think this slang should lend to the reader?

I love playing with words. The slang is intentionally over-the-top, much of it playing off of t-shirt slogans like “my eggo is preggo” found on mommy-to-be blogs. I also appreciate when an author doesn’t resort to info dumping and allows readers to figure things out as they go along. Yet I understand how the first chapters might be confusing or annoying for some readers…I just hope not to the point that they give up on the book altogether.

I want readers to consider the influence of language on culture and vice versa. Both Melody and Harmony have been (nearly) brainwashed by their belief systems and the most obvious impact is on how they communicate. When in doubt, Harmony falls back on Bible quotes because she’s been programmed not to think for herself. As she is emboldened to question her upbringing, she relies on Scripture less and less. And in the very first scene, Melody is rehearsing “fertilicious” slang because, deep down, she’s extremely uncomfortable with being a Surrogette and yet is expected to serve as a reproductive role model. She hopes that by saying it, she will believe it, and be it. There’s less slang as the book progresses because Melody is rebelling against the worldview that encourages it.

3. What do you think separates Melody and Harmony, despite the obvious being their upbringing and their backgrounds?

Identical twins can have very different dispositions. So Melody is book smart, but lacks people skills. She’s hard-wired to be cynical and quick to judge, qualities that have been encouraged in a cutthroat culture where her attractiveness, intelligence and achievements are commodified. Despite her preachy background, Harmony is more open-minded and big-hearted by nature. She’s also better attuned to people’s emotions, a skill that serves her well as she tries to break free from her past. Both girls have a long way to go in figuring out who they really want to be because they’ve been living up to others’ expectations for sixteen years.

4. In an age where Teen Mom, The Pregnancy Pact and teen pregnancy in general are highly publicized in the media, was Bumped meant to be ironic or a twist on the way society regards it today?

Ironic! Absolutely! 16 & Pregnant, and to a slightly lesser degree, Teen Mom, do a commendable job of showing how incredibly difficult it is to be a young mother. Every girl on these shows greatly underestimates the challenges of raising a baby. I don’t see how anyone who has actually watched those shows could think MTV is promoting teen pregnancy. (Just like I don’t understand how anyone can read BUMPED and think the same.)

The problem is how our 24/7 media culture has turned these young moms into tabloid cover girls, or has enabled Bristol Palin to profit as a poster mom for abstinence. They are demonized and glamorized, and these extreme reactions are what inspired me to satirize the so-called “teen mom phenom” in BUMPED.

5. Bumped is marketed to the YA genre. Do you think it is appropriate for the younger YA readers?

BUMPED is appropriately labeled as 14-and-up. It’s a cautionary tale of what can happen when society promotes casual sex. It’s pro-love and pro-faith. These are positive messages for readers who are ready to receive them. Will all 14 year olds get it? No. There will be 24-year-olds who won’t get it either. But that’s the risk I’ve taken in choosing to write this type of book in this particular way.

6. In Bumped, how did you balance the character development versus the world development?

Melody and Harmony have spent their whole lives as repositories for their parents’ hopes and dreams. It was challenging to reflect their lack of personal development but still make them relatable characters worth caring about. I decided to micro instead of macro, structuring BUMPED as a day in the life of two girls going to the mall, going to school, going on a date in this baby crazy world. Their true personalities come through in the choices they make as this ordinary day turns extraordinary.

7. Bumped presents a world that is, essentially, rather grim, but the tone of the book is almost light and fluffy in comparison. How did you choose to balance the two?

I don’t do grim. It’s not my thing. I can see why readers might be surprised when they catch themselves laughing out loud at some of the slogans and expressions. But it’s the contrast between the “light and fluffy” tone and the grim setting that should make the world of BUMPED even more horrifying. If you feel like shaking these girls and yelling, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?” then I’ve succeeded.

Again, thank you so much for answering my questions, Megan, and I appreciate your honest and very informative answers!

Bumped Review

Title: Bumped
Author: Megan McCafferty
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Published: April 26, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 336
Source: Tour/Cornucopia of Dystopia

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
Melody and Harmony were born into a world where teen pregnancy is as valuable as money in society. Melody never knew Harmony, but now they've found each other and must learn to come to terms with the upbringing the other has received. Melody has a goal - she wants to bump and receive all the status and money that comes with it. Harmony, however, wants nothing more than to be the perfect wife and mother. But despite their different lives, their identical looks are going to send them on a journey together that's both a blessing and a curse - pretty much the same as their chance meeting.

Bumped is another big-name book in the wave of new dystopian novels taking over the YA market. Written by veteran author Megan McCafferty, known for her popular and well-written Jessica Darling series, Bumped presents a world that puts an all new spin on the media craze we see today. Whereas we watch shows such as Teen Mom and The Pregnancy Pact, Bumped turns this phenomenon on its head, making teen pregnancy a valuable, enviable and coveted turn of events. It's a unique twist on the dystopian genre - slightly creepy and eerily fascinating, but definitely and completely one-of-a-kind. 

Promising premise aside though, I have to admit that Bumped fell flat for me. From page one the book is cluttered with the slang of the world Melody and Harmony live in. In fact, it was so jarring that I actually put it down to attempt to digest who the characters actually were. Furthermore, Bumped is written from both Melody and Harmony's POVs, alternating by chapter and furthering my confusion. Now, don't get me wrong, the irony of the world of Bumped is not lost on me. That said, I felt it was contrasting with an overtly perky voice that didn't fit a story that, I'm assuming, was supposed to be somewhat serious. I'm a fan of Megan's other books, so I was surprised this didn't work for me.

Now, I'm not saying that Bumped is a bad book, but I'm confused about the audience of Bumped, as well as what I was supposed to take away from it. If it was supposed to be ironic, or a play on what we see today, I would want that to be more apparent and not masked by slang and dialogue that just didn't work for me. I hate giving bad reviews, but I give it a 2.5 out of 5 for the original premise and the author's talent, alone. I would still recommend it to fans of an upper YA audience, as well as those who enjoy dystopian novels.

In My Mailbox 4/3

Sunday, April 3, 2011

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW
(ARC - Thank you, Sourcebooks)

Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip. 
At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself.

FOR REVIEW
(ARC - Thank you, Jabberwocky)

On a sunny Wednesday morning in October, a day that would mark the end of one life and the beginning of another, I found out my grouchy next door neighbor was the walking dead. When you turn around expecting to see something familiar, and instead see something else altogether, it takes a little while for your brain to catch up with your eyes. I call it the 'Holy Crap Factor.'A" Forced to flee his home and family, twelve-year-old Will Ritter falls in with the Undertakers--a rag-tag army of teenage resistance fighters.

BOUGHT
So Shelly by Ty Roth
Published: February 8, 2011

Until now, high school junior, John Keats, has only tiptoed near the edges of the vortex that is schoolmate and literary prodigy, Gordon Byron. That is, until their mutual friend, Shelly, drowns in a sailing accident.

After stealing Shelly's ashes from her wake at Trinity Catholic High School, the boys set a course for the small Lake Erie island where Shelly's body had washed ashore and to where she wished to be returned. It would be one last "so Shelly" romantic quest. At least that's what they think. 

Boyfriends with Girlfriends Review

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Title: Boyfriends with Girlfriends
Author: Alex Sanchez
Publisher: S & S Childrens
Published: April 19, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemps, LGBT
Pages: 224
Source: Galley Grab

Lance has always known he was gay, but he's never had a real boyfriend. Sergio is bisexual, but his only real relationship was with a girl. When the two of them meet, they have an instant connection--but will it be enough to overcome their differences?

Allie's been in a relationship with a guy for the last two years--but when she meets Kimiko, she can't get her out of her mind. Does this mean she's gay? Does it mean she's bi? Kimiko, falling hard for Allie, and finding it impossible to believe that a gorgeous girl like Allie would be into her, is willing to stick around and help Allie figure it out.
Lance, Sergio, Allie and Kimiko are the teens next door living and loving in suburbia, doing their best to navigate high school, relationships and their identities all at the same time. Lance has been out for a while, Sergio swings both ways and has been comfortable with it, Kimiko can't believe a girl like Allie might be in her league after all. These four friends are on a collision course that will, inevitably, bring them together as friends or tear them apart based on stereotypes and prejudices in society. All the while though, the four must learn and come to terms with who they really are inside and what that means for those around them.

I'll just say this outright - Boyfriends with Girlfriends is far from my comfort zone in YA literature, but when I made the decision to read more contemporary fiction this year, I meant that in its entirety. I have no qualms with LGBT storylines and, in fact, find them to be some of the most poignant within the genre of YA fiction. Alex Sanchez takes a decidedly upfront approach in Boyfriends with Girlfriends, never mincing his words or hiding behind hidden agendas. Preaching tolerance, growth and the overwhelming need for everyone to be comfortable with who they are, Boyfriends with Girlfriends is brimming with a message that is powerful and needed in society today.

There are two sides to what I just said though. Some books take a delicate tone when directing a reader towards a message. Boyfriends with Girlfriends was not one of these books. It was extremely direct from page one, illustrating very vividly that whether one is bi, gay, curious or straight, we are who we are. None if it is a cop-out and none if it is a lie. In a book like Boyfriends with Girlfriends, I think this approach works, and though it's not my favourite take on literature, I got what I was supposed to get from the book. The characters were likable and approachable (especially Sergio - his confusion was accessible and believable), the relationships between families and friends were honest and true to form, but I have to say that it was all a bit overshadowed by the prominence of the message. It's not a bad thing, but I prefer subtleties, if you know what I mean.

All in all, Boyfriends with Girlfriends was a good book. No, it wasn't my favourite by a long shot, but it had a strong message that I think is often lacking in YA fiction. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy the YA genre, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and LGBT storylines.

I received this eARC free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Friday Fix #52 - Meet Chloe!

Friday, April 1, 2011



The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory rule (you can't get out of it!) - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here are the Chloe from YA Booklover Blog!

The Most Random Questions in the World...


1. Why are obituaries found in the "living" section of the newspaper?

Because there isn't enough room in the automobile section ;)

2. Can crop circles ever be square?

Wikipdedia claims they can also be referred to as crop formations, so I would take this as a.... yes?

3. What do you do if you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

I'd say pull the animal off the plant. Unless that's the only plant the animal can eat, and then the plant is pretty much screwed if it doesn't grow teeth soon enough.

4. If milk goes bad if you don't refrigerate it, why don't we refrigerate the cows?

Something tells me that cows don't have the thickest of coats and that they might not do too well in a fridge. Plus that would have to be one massive fridge. But hey, what do I know?

5. If someone dies of a heart attack in the electric chair before being electrocuted, do they save him/her?

Yes! Because the point of the electric chair is to make them suffer, so they must save the person from dying an easier death and force them to fulfill their punishment.



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Thank you so much for participating in the Friday Fix, Chloe! I'm so glad to finally "meet" someone who knows more about crop formations than I do. To all of you, be sure to check out Chloe's awesome blog, YA Booklover Blog...she has fab reviews and so much more!

In unrelated news, check out today's stop for The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Today we're visiting Ginger's blog, GReads! Be sure to check out her review, interview and international giveaway!

In further unrelated news, be sure enter to win an ARC of Awaken (ends 4/15), and it's open internationally!

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