Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite YA Contemporary Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish.  Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices.  I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me! I've been really slack lately in posting memes.  There are a few that I love doing, but honestly, I've been so behind in my reading a reviews, that I just haven't gotten to them.  Fortunately, this weekend has been rather tame in comparison to the past many...  

This week's topic is a tough one for me; "Top Ten Authors In X Genre".  It would be easier for me to choose from genres I really like, but I like a challenge, so I'm going with a genre I don't often read.  It's not that I don't like YA Contemporary, it's just that it happens to be a genre that (in my humble opinion) produced more crap that quality, and I don't have time to weed through it.  That said, there are a few authors in this genre that I will read EVERYTHING and ANYTHING they write, so I wanted to give them props.  (Click each author's name to go to their webpage.) Here goes...

YA Litwit's Top Ten Favorite YA Contemporary Authors

(in order)

10.  Laura Wiess~  I've only read two of her books, Ordinary Beauty and Such a Pretty Girl, but that's all I needed to know that I will read all of her other books, and anything she publishes in the future.  She GETS it.  Her writing absolutely rips your heart out and stays with you long after you are finished reading her books.  If you haven't picked up anything by her, do it now.

  

9.  Terra Elan McVoy~  Terra is a local author, and happens to be the first author I ever attended a signing for, but even if she wasn't, she would be on this list.  Several years ago a bookish friend suggested I read her debut, Pure.  I loved it!  She really understands the mind and motivations of teenage girls, and she writes them in such a great way.  She doesn't dumb down or sugar-coat.  She digs deep into teen relationships with their peers, their significant others, and their parents, explores the highs and lows, and aptly expresses them.  She's real and she has a light and energy that shines through in her books.  I'm actually really excited for her upcoming book, Criminal, too.  I can't wait to read how she writes another genre (Thiller).  It's out in May of 2013.

   

8.  Gayle Forman~  I contemplated leaving her off this list because she only has two well known books out, but I decided not to because those two books are two of the best books I've read in this genre.  I loved If I Stay and Where She Went with all my heart.  I read each one in one sitting, and ugly cried during both- we're talking snot-bubbles and swollen-face.  I love how it all ended up and I can't wait to read her next story, Just One Day, out in January.

  

7.  Maureen Johnson~  Maureen is smart and funny and sarcastic, and I just love her.  She's written about a gazillion books, and I just love the way she writes.  She manages to tackle some tough stuff without it ever seeming heavy.  I laugh so much when I read her stories, but always walk away having gained something.  Also, she is the BEST person ever to follow on Twitter.

      

6.  Lauren Myracle~ Lauren writes both MG and YA and it is all worth reading.  I love that my 11 year old has grown up with her, and that she continues to be her literary idol.  Actually, grown-ups don't come much cooler than LM.  I wish I could be her kid (as does my daughter).  She also happens to be one of the most banned authors out there, but that is because she is real, and I really think teens appreciate that (even if some of their curmudgeonly parents don't).  Her amazing book, Shine, was my favorite book of 2011 (read my review HERE).

      

5.  Kody Keplinger~  It could be that she is practically a teenager herself, by I think Kody Keplinger is one of the most dialed in YA authors around.  I have found her books easy to identify with when I think back to my teen years, and when I talk to kids who have read her books, I often hear that they feel like she could be writing about them or one of their friends.  She is sharp and doesn't hold back.  Add to that the fact that she is enormously talented for someone so young, and there is no other option but to expect amazing things in the future from her!

  

4.  Stephanie Perkins~  There's YA Contemporary and then there's YA Contemporary Romance, and the latter is really not my thing, but I ADORE Stephanie Perkins.  I very reluctantly read Anna and the French Kiss, after much cajoling from nearly every bookish friend I have, and I loved it.  Then I read Lola and the Boy Next Door and it became clear that I would forever read everything she writes.  I'm a total fangirl!  She does YA Contemporary Romance like nobody else.  All others in that category should bow down.  I know that is a bold statement to make after only two books, but I dare you to read them and disagree...

3.  David Levithan~  I very nearly bumped him up to the number one spot because of his latest book, Every Day (read my review HERE), which now sits near the top of my list of favorite books EVER (it holds a firm position as #1 of 2012), but when you look at the two authors above him, you'll understand...  Still, some of my favorite YA Contemporary novels are by him or co-written by him (A dream of mine?  For him to co-write a book with #9 on this list, his good buddy, Terra McVoy!), and really, if I could, my top three would be a three-way tie because I love them all (almost) equally. Honestly, it is like asking me which one of my three kids is my favorite; It depends on the day and my mood...

         

2.  Ellen Hopkins~  I read every one of Ellen's books the minute they come out, but they usually have such a profound effect on me that it takes weeks, sometimes months to write my review.  Sometimes I never write it because I can't articulate my thoughts. It is a fact that EVERY teen and most adults should read ALL of her books.  She doesn't ever paint pretty pictures, but her books are no less beautiful for it.   If you have never read anything by her, go ahead and put whatever you're reading now down (unless it's Every Day by David Levithan- you have my permission to finish IT...).  I suggest Perfect because it is my favorite of her books (read my review HERE).

         

1.  John Green~  The master of YA Contemporary.  Nerdfighter extraordinaire.  This guy rules, and if I had to guess, I would say that every author on this list would agree with me that he deserves to top it.  He doesn't have as many books under his belt as some of the other authors on this list, but everything I've read by him has had a profound effect on me in one way or another; has changed the way I look at the world and relationships.  In fact, if you look back on my past Top Ten Tuesday posts, you will see his books over and over again.  John Green's books are fantastic and they get better with each new one.

    

So there is my Top Ten Favorite YA Contemporary Authors.  Do you agree?  Did I miss anyone?  I would love to hear your thoughts!  

And one more thing...  I wanted to mention a few YA Contemporary authors to watch out for.  Authors on this list only have one YA Contemporary published (they may have books from other genres, but I'm not counting those), and they were so good, I felt they deserved a mention...

Katie McGarry~ Her debut, Pushing the Limits, was amazing.  It made me finally admit to myself that I didn't actually dislike YA Contemporary as a genre.  If her subsequent books are as good as her first, she has a really bright future ahead of her.  Her next book, Dare You To, a companion to Pushing the Limits, comes out in 2013.  Read my review of Pushing the Limits HERE.

Trish Doller~ Another 2012 debut author who came out with a bang.  Something Like Normal is one of the most compelling YA Contemporaries I've read (read my review HERE).  I can't wait to read more of what Trish has to offer.  Fortunately, we won't have to wait horribly long.  Her second book, All That Was Lost, comes out in October of 2013.

Megan Bostic~ Megan's debut, Never Eighteen, was a touching story that has stayed with me.  It's been a year and a half since I read it and I still think about it sometimes.  I loved her characters and the voice she gave them.  Can't wait to read what she has up next!  Read my review of Never Eighteen HERE.

Jackson Pearce~ Jackson is one of the masters of the Fairy Tale Retelling, so when I found out her first YA Contemporary was coming out, I was leery.  I wasn't sure what to expect, and frankly, I wasn't sure I liked the idea of it.  I was so happy to be wrong because Purity was fantastic, and ended up being my favorite of all her books.  I hope she decides to write more of this genre, because she seems to have a knack for it.  Read my review of Purity HERE.

John Corey Whaley~ In my opinion, his debut, Where Things Come Back, was the most underrated book of 2011 (read my review HERE).  I know it won awards and stuff, but it just didn't get the love, attention, and praise from the blogger community that I thought it should have.  It was brilliant and touching and funny.  Plus, he is just adorable.

Jesse Andrews~ His debut, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, is one of my favorites of 2012.  Hands down my favorite humorous book of this year.  I laughed so hard I peed a little several times while reading it.  I like witty, and Jesse Andrews has wit in spades.  Read my review of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl HERE.

Lauren Oliver~  Lauren is best known for her Dystopias (Delirium and Pandemonium) and her MG Fantasies (Liesl & Po and The Spindlers), but her YA Contemporary, Before I Fall, is actually some of her best work.  I would love to see Lauren write more in the genre.

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED copy of Lauren Oliver's fabulous new book, THE SPINDLERS! Click HERE to enter! US/CAN. Ends 10/20/2012.**

Commentary and Review: Skinny by Donna Cooner

Publisher:  Point

Publication Date:  October 1st, 2012

Find your voice.

Hopeless. Freak. Elephant. Pitiful. These are the words of Skinny, the vicious voice that lives inside fifteen-year-old Ever Davies’s head. Skinny tells Ever all the dark thoughts her classmates have about her. Ever knows she weighs over three hundred pounds, knows she’ll probably never be loved, and Skinny makes sure she never forgets it. 

But there is another voice: Ever’s singing voice, which is beautiful but has been silenced by Skinny. Partly in the hopes of trying out for the school musical—and partly to try and save her own life—Ever decides to undergo a risky surgery that may help her lose weight and start over.

With the support of her best friend, Ever begins the uphill battle toward change. But demons, she finds, are not so easy to shake, not even as she sheds pounds. Because Skinny is still around. And Ever will have to confront that voice before she can truly find her own.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Review:

Skinny was a difficult book to read, but a powerful one nonetheless.  Usually YA books concerning weight and food issues deal with anorexia and/or bulimia; Skinny deals with the opposite- Ever is 15 years old, 5'6" tall, and is over 300 pounds.  Ever deals with anything and everything negative that happens in her life by eating.  She knows she shouldn't have that fourth muffin or that second Snickers, but she can't help it.  Add to that the vicious little voice in her head who goes by the name Skinny.  Every time something happens that Ever doesn't like, Skinny pipes up to mess with Ever's head.  When Ever has something horrible happen to her in public, as a result of her weight, she makes the decision to undergo Gastric Bypass surgery.  This book follows Ever on her journey to, through, and post surgery.  It celebrates her triumphs, but also makes the reader aware that this was no risk-free, easy fix, which was really important, in my mind.  There were a couple of issues that plagued me though...  The first is a biggie- Ever isn't very likable.  She is actually pretty mean and self-absorbed.  She has a negative view of herself and has put up walls because of it, and much of the time, those walls were made of pure vitriol.  That said, Ever did come around some, but I never really felt like I liked her much.  Sure, I was rooting for her, but I still didn't like her much.  Second, I felt like the whole thing had a little bit of a fairy-tale element that I think detracted from what the story COULD have been.  The romantic element was a bit cheesy and I felt like Ever had a little bit too easy of a time adjusting socially after the surgery- high school is NOT like that...  Aside from those issues though, I think Donna Cooner did a great job with the feelings.  I've never been overweight, so I can't be sure, but in the end notes it says that she had similar success with Gastric Bypass.  I'm sure that is one of the reasons for her intimate knowledge of Ever's mindset, and I think that's awesome because this book needed to be written.  The best part for me was when Ever confronts Skinny in the end because I never expected what came with it.  Really powerful!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is primarily a book for girls, and it is a book all tween and teen girls should read.  It's pretty clean, and although there are some intense emotional moments, the content is fine for 5th grade and up (ages 10+).

Commentary:

 What really struck me, what I found most thought-provoking about Skinny, was that even though Ever was teased some by the kids at school, most of the bullying Ever endured came from within.  Ever's biggest bully was herself and her internal dialogue with Skinny.  October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and I was going to re-post a review of a book on the subject, that I have so much love for, called Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories (read that review HERE), but as I read Skinny, it started to dawn on me that for some of us, WE are our own biggest bully.  I was never really bullied in school, but I sure beat myself up when I didn't measure up to my own impossible standards, and I think there are A LOT of people out there like me; especially girls and women.  Destructive self-talk is so damaging to the soul, but it is never addressed as "bullying", even though is often has the same end result- depression, suicide, emotional scarring...  Some of the most "perfect" people I know have some of the lowest self-esteem and are some of the most emotionally damaged, but it all comes from within.  I guess what I'm saying is that in honor of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, to make sure that you are not only working to prevent people from bullying other people, but also thinking about how you treat yourself and how those around you do the same.  Sometimes a kind word is all that is needed to battle that bully inside someone's head...

A big shout out to Amy at Lady Reader's Bookstuff and Jodie at Uniquely Moi Books for hosting an awesome National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month event!  For more great posts and giveaways, stop by either of their blogs!

Review: A Mutiny In Time (Infinity Ring, Book #1) by James Dashner

Publisher:  Scholastic

Publication Date:  August 28th, 2012

Scholastic's next multi-platform mega-event begins here! History is broken, and three kids must travel back in time to set it right! 

When best friends Dak Smyth and Sera Froste stumble upon the secret of time travel -- a hand-held device known as the Infinity Ring -- they're swept up in a centuries-long secret war for the fate of mankind. Recruited by the Hystorians, a secret society that dates back to Aristotle, the kids learn that history has gone disastrously off course. Now it's up to Dak, Sera, and teenage Hystorian-in-training Riq to travel back in time to fix the Great Breaks . . . and to save Dak's missing parents while they're at it. First stop: Spain, 1492, where a sailor named Christopher Columbus is about to be thrown overboard in a deadly mutiny!

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Back in January, when I heard that James Dashner was writing the first book in a series similar in format to The 39 Clues, I knew that I had to check it out.  I've been reading The 39 Clues with my son for about 8 months and although they aren't my favorite books (he LOVES them), I love the idea behind them, and I love how each one is written by a different popular MG author.  I also love that they have an interactive, internet-based component; If anything is going to get video-game obsessed boys reading, it's books that incorporate technology.  Well, this new series, Infinity Ring, is set up the same way, but this time the series is written by popular YA authors.  Obviously, this first book, A Mutiny In Time, is written by James Dashner, author of the acclaimed Maze Runner trilogy.  I love his writing, but if I'm honest, I have to say that I'm most excited for books two and three, which are written by Carrie Ryan (The Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy) and Lisa McMann (Wake trilogy, Cryer's Cross, etc.), respectively.  Now that I've read the first book, I'm even more excited for future installments!

Much like The 39 Clues, history plays a huge role in this series, but at the same time, it is vastly different.  The setting is an oppressive dystopian society where everything you do is monitored by the government, where people who question it just disappear.  But it's more than that; They have altered things so that natural disasters abound and everything is just not quite right with the world physically.  Dak and Sera are different from other kids their age; Dak is a total history nut and Sera is a complete science genius.  They understand each other and because of that they have an intense bond of friendship.  When Dak's parents, brilliant scientists themselves, go out of town, Dak and Sera break into their lab to find out what they've been working on and find the Infinity Ring.  When they find it, it doesn't work, but Sera's brilliant mind figures out the missing piece, and chaos ensues!  This device makes time travel possible, and for their government, this development could change everything.  They are recruited by a secret organization called the Historians.  They have been waiting centuries for the opportunity to go back and set history right, to change the "great breaks", and now is their chance.  First stop?  1492, on board the Santa Maria, to make sure that Christopher Columbus discovers the New World...

This book is full of action.  From the beginning it is adventure and turmoil, and it doesn't ever end.  Earthquakes wreak havoc on class trips to the Smithsonian, government agents and secret societies battle, often with kids caught in the middle, technology rules, and then... We are thrust into 15th century and everything is different for the characters, but the adventures only intensify.  Boys will be drawn to this series because of this, but because Sera is smart and pretty kick-butt, girls will enjoy it too.  There is danger around every corner for our characters and it kept me on the edge of my seat- I read this book in a day.  And speaking of characters...  I've already touched on Dak and Sera, but there are some other great ones as well.  There is Riq, a slightly older boy- smart, attractive, and constantly at odds with Dak.  Then there are the Historians- adults who help the kids on their quest.  They exist both in the present and in the past.  Some are obvious, while others are not, and since I don't want any spoilers in this review I will just say that the adults really add to the story, and give it a touch more plausibility (as much as can be given to a story about time travel).

The only thing that nagged at me a little was some of the language used to describe some of the tech and physics.  Some of it was over my head (and I am a science nerd), so I can't imagine it will make sense to most MG and YA readers.  I'm sure most fans of The 39 Clues will pick this book up, and I'm not sure some of the younger fans will follow those parts as well.  I think as the action picks up, they won't care, but they may be lost for a few chapters.

Overall, I think this book is a fantastic beginning to what promises to be a ridiculously popular series.  I'm eager to read my copy of book number two, Divide and Conquer, by Carrie Ryan.  It releases on November 6th, so keep you eyes peeled for my review in upcoming weeks!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation:  Other than some violence, this book is squeaky clean.  This book is suitable for any age you consider The 39 Clues appropriate for.  I would say 2nd or 3rd grade and up (ages 8+).

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED copy of Lauren Oliver's fabulous new book, THE SPINDLERS! Click HERE to enter! US/CAN. Ends 10/20/2012.**

ARC Review: The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

Publisher:  Candlewick Press

Publication Date:  September 25th, 2012

A feast for the brain, this gory and genuinely hilarious take on zombie culture simultaneously skewers, pays tribute to, and elevates the horror genre.

Seventeen-year-old Nero is stuck in the wilderness with a bunch of other juvenile delinquents on an “Inward Trek.” As if that weren’t bad enough, his counselors have turned into flesh-eating maniacs overnight and are now chowing down on his fellow miscreants. As in any classic monster flick worth its salted popcorn, plentiful carnage sends survivors rabbiting into the woods while the mindless horde of “infects” shambles, moans, and drools behind. Of course, these kids have seen zombie movies. They generate “Zombie Rules” almost as quickly as cheeky remarks, but attitude alone can’t keep the biters back.

Serving up a cast of irreverent, slightly twisted characters, an unexpected villain, and an ending you won’t see coming, here is a savvy tale that that’s a delight to read—whether you’re a rabid zombie fan or freshly bitten—and an incisive commentary on the evil that lurks within each of us.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

FINALLY!  A real, true, blood-and-gore, zombie book!  The zombies are actually the ones of lore!  You know?  The shambling, mindless, human flesh-eating, living-dead?  You know?  You get bitten and you become one?  As a firm and unwavering member of Team Zombie, I have to say that this book rocked!  It is all of the aforementioned, but it is also SO much more!  Where do I even start?  How about with my favorite part of The Infects... 

• Characters:  This book had some really awesome ones!  Actually, there are too many great ones to detail in this review, but I will touch on my absolute favorites... First, there is Nick/Nero.  This dude rules.  He is a reluctant hero; a guy who is SO much cooler than he thinks he is.  He is smart, funny, and quick on the uptake, but the best part of Nick/Nero is the voice inside his head.  It's The Rock, people!  You know, Dwayne Johnson, the hot-stuff wrestler-turned-actor?  And he was funny!  Then, of course, there were the other Inward Trek guys; they had nicknames like Heavy D, Idle and Billy, Estrada, and Tripper, just to name a few.  Each one had his own gigantic personality, often providing comic relief, or at the very least, a victim for the zombies to dine on.  Add to the guys, a camp of Inward Trek girls with similarly sized personalities, and you have a recipe for some seriously awesome banter to go along with the flesh eating.  I also loved Nick/Nero's little sister Amanda, who has Asperger's and is a kick-ass video game savant.  She added an element of humanity to the story, and although it wasn't necessarily needed, it was a nice touch.  Then there was the book's antagonist, Win Fuld.  He's the type of guy you love to hate!  The author's description of him made my stomach turn, he was so repulsive, but in a fun way! :-)
• The World:  What better place to fight zombies than in a mountain wilderness.  There are plenty of dark places for the undead to hide, and very few other people for them to eat.  A bunch of kids on a character building trek?  Perfect targets.  And what if they happen to stumble upon a ridiculous hunting lodge at the top of the mountain, and it were full of girls?  Bonus!  The world was great.  A perfect setting for this story!
• The Plot:  Evil corporations? Check.  Zombies created from fast-food?  Check.  Government/Corporate cover-ups?  Check.  Zombie/human romantic arc?  Check.  Witty humor?  Check.  Blood, guts, and gore?  Check.  This story was great.  Not only did it have great plot points and fantastic pacing, but it had so many laughs.  The chapter names were fantastic, as were the nicknames.  There were also many extras that enhanced the story like the obvious, yet still fun to read, "Zombrules" scattered throughout,  the police incident reports pertaining to most of the Inward Trek guys, a Fresh Bukket takeout menu, and my favorite, the interview with a zombie expert at the end of the book.  This is a story made up of lots of little things, assembled in a way that makes for a really awesome ride!

Overall, I have to highly recommend this book to anyone who likes zombie books.  Even if you aren't on Team Zombie, if you like to laugh, and enjoy subtle humor and/or pop-culture references, you should give this one a go.  As I closed this book, I had an intense feeling of satisfaction that I rarely have upon finishing a book.  I have to put this up there as one of my biggest "Surprise! I'm an awesome book!" books of 2012.  Bravo, Sean Beaudoin!  I am looking forward to reading more of what you have to offer!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is very graphically violent (duh!).  There is also a bit of profanity, many lewd remarks, and references to sexual acts and encounters.  I would say this book is best for grades 8 and up (ages 13+), and generally speaking, would appeal more to boys than girls. 

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED copy of Lauren Oliver's fabulous new book, THE SPINDLERS! Click HERE to enter! US/CAN. Ends 10/20/2012.**

ARC Review: The Blessed by Tonya Hurley

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  September 25th, 2012

From the author of the New York Times bestselling ghostgirl series, the start to a captivating and haunting teen trilogy about three girls who become entangled with an enigmatic boy—a boy who believes he is a saint.What if martyrs and saints lived among us? And what if you were told you were one of them?

     Meet Agnes, Cecilia, and Lucy. Three lost girls, each searching for something. But what they find is Beyond Belief.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

**Thank you to Southern ARC Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book!!**

I've been trying to write this review for a few weeks, but just keep coming up with nothing. This is going to be a very short review, because honestly, I still have nothing.  You see, I really didn't like The Blessed.  I like the idea of it; the plotline COULD be good, but the execution just didn't work for me, and it's been difficult for me to pinpoint why.  The writing was fine.  The story was okay, and when it was going well, I was sucked in.  Unfortunately, those times were too few and far between.  I was looking back on my notes I took while reading this, and one thing it wrote jumped out at me... "Reads like an acid trip.  Disjointed. Too many snippets.  Jumps around too much.  Way too many lost pieces of time."  That pretty much sums up my feelings toward this book.  The characters were really difficult to follow, the story went everywhere and nowhere at once, and I never really felt like I knew what was going on. In the end, it all comes together some, but it took WAY too long to get there.  I think 100 pages could have easily been shaved off of this book and it wouldn't have lost a thing.  In fact, I think it may have been better if that had happened.  Don't get me wrong, I think this book will appeal to some, but with hindsight being 20/20, I would have skipped it.

My Rating: ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There is some mature content.  There is some sexual content, drug abuse, language, and violence.  I would say this is for ages 14 and up (9th grade+).

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED copy of Lauren Oliver's fabulous new book, THE SPINDLERS!  Click HERE to enter!  US/CAN.  Ends 10/20/2012.**

Another AWESOME Giveaway, You Say? Win a SIGNED Copy of THE SPINDLERS by Lauren Oliver

SO... Who else has eagerly awaited Lauren Oliver's newest book, The Spindlers?  I know that when she told us about it at her signing for Pandemonium early this year, I was excited!  My son and I had the opportunity to read this fabulous book early (Thanks HarperCollins Children's!!), and we both LOVED it.  In fact, it is my favorite of her books yet (read my gushy, love-fest, review HERE)!

  

When I heard that she would be doing a release-day signing near me, I was stoked!  She was amazing, as always. Engaging, personable, and real.  She didn't even get offended when my son wanted a picture with her, but wouldn't stand too close because "all girls have cooties". Totally worth the 45 minute drive in rush-hour traffic!  Benjamin got his copy signed, and I got one signed for one of ya'll!  So, go ahead and read my REVIEW, then fill out the Rafflecopter below!

Lauren reading from The Spindlers

Lauren and Benjamin

Best of luck!

ARC Review: Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Publisher:  Greenwillow Books

Publication Date:  October 2nd, 2012

Inhale. Exhale. 
Breathe. 
Breathe. 
Breathe . . .
The world is dead. 
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

**Thank you to Southern ARC Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book!!**

The synopsis of this book made me think this book could turn out either way- really cliche and painful to read, or really excellent; I had a feeling that there was not going to be any middle ground.  I was right...  The YA publishing industry is churning out Dystopia like nobody's business after the wild success of The Hunger Games, and I don't blame them- it sells.  That said, I've been becoming increasingly more wary of the genre, looking at it much like I did the Paranormal Romance genre in the wake of of Twilight's success, and I admittedly go into reading a new Dystopia with a little bit of an attitude problem.  Sometimes I think I may even be more critical of the books within the genre than I am of books in other genres because of it, and I feel bad because it is unfair to the author.  I am thankful to Sarah Crossan for writing a great Dystopian that hasn't been written, because I hate feeling guilty...

Breathe is a breath of fresh air.  (Sorry, I like puns, and that was just begging to be written!)  It is a YA Dystopia for the more intellectual, environmentalist set.  It is well researched, but at the same time, is written on a level that makes it possible for those who aren't into science to read and enjoy it.  It's also plausible.  Of the many books I've read in this genre (it is still one of my favorites, despite my misgivings), this one is one of the most conceivable scenarios I've read.  As humans, we consume; even when we are producing, we are not only consuming in the process, but creating something (or someone) that consumes.  We routinely kill off and pollute the very things that produce the oxygen that we need to survive, and I could totally see us dependent on corporate or government intervention in the future to meet this basic need if we continue the way we are.  No to get all soap-boxy...

So I have made my point clear that I think the plot is plausible, but is it well executed?  For the first few chapters, I was unsure.  My first impression was this that was going to be be an "evil greedy corporations" manifesto.  While there was a little of that, it was well balanced, and I thought it rang pretty true to to the direction our society is going in.  There was a lot of thought-provoking dialogue, not a lot of black and white, and tons of action to counter what could have ended up being a message-heavy book (read: kids won't like it).  It was well paced, told in alternate POVs, which really amped up the anticipation factor.  I also really liked the way the characters were drawn.  I liked that some of the villains were real people, and that some of the heroes were jerks.  Quinn's dad was a total villain in his job, but was a good dad; Petra, the leader of the rebel sect, was really a nutty bitch without much regard for people at all.  Both had good reasons for doing the things they did, even if I couldn't respect their reasoning.  As for the main characters...  I liked them.  A couple were a bit annoying at times, and the romance was a bit cliche, but in the end, I held most in a higher regard than when I started the book.  Maude was, by far, my favorite character.  I think her presence, and her unlikely relationship with Bea, took this book from a four-star rating to a 4.5 for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It was smart and thought-provoking, without being too message-y for its intended audience.  The only thing that kept this book from being a five-star read was my intense dislike for one of the characters.  I'm not going to cloud your opinion by saying who, but it was just something I couldn't get past because of her role in the overall plot.  Even so, if you like a solid YA Dystopia, but are sick of The Hunger Games regurgitated,  check out Breathe.  Like I said, "A breath of fresh air!". (Sorry.  Too easy!)  I'm happy I did, and can't wait to read the sequel, Resist (out October 10th, 2013).

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty clean as far as sex and language are concerned, but it's violent.  Conservatively, I would say it is fine for 5th grade+ (ages 10 and up), but if your younger reader has been allowed to read The Hunger Games, this would be fine too.

ARC Review: Burn For Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  September 18th, 2012

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

**Thank you to Southern ARC Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book!!**

Every since I saw this book, many months ago, in the Simon & Schuster Fall 2012 catalog, I knew I wanted to read it.  Contemporary Fiction has never really been my thing, but lately I've read some really fantastic books within the genre, so I'm giving more of it a go.  Also, I've read Jenny Han's books before (The Summer I Turned Pretty, etc.), and I liked them.  I was interested in reading something outside of her debut series, and am always intrigued when two popular authors pair up as Jenny did with Siobhan Vivian (The List).  Burn For Burn was not a letdown.  I was cheering for the three main characters, Lillia, Kat, and Mary.  I wanted to them to get their revenge for wrongs done to them by some pretty awful people, and it was clear from the beginning that they would.  What I didn't expect was some of the twists and emotions that came on the heels of their revenge, and some of those very things are what made this book for me.  This book is extremely entertaining- a real page-turner- but it has a message too, and it may not be what you expect it to be.  Honestly, I can't tell you much more without spoilers, but know this, if you a fan of YA Contemporary, you will enjoy this book.  It was well paced and plausible.  The characters were great, and almost all of them had flaws and redeeming qualities that made things not so black-and-white; I was not always sure who the heroes and villains were.  My only gripe about this book was that the entire time I was reading it, I expected a solid conclusion, and that just didn't happen.  Now I know that this is the first book in a series, but I'm still a little pissed because you really are left hanging in a bad way... No closure whatsoever.  Until the end, I would have given this book 4.5, maybe even 5 stars, but because of it, I can't.  Still, I highly recommend this, just know, if you're an impatient person like me, wait until closer to the release date of book #2, Fire with Fire.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book has a lot of sexual content, drug use, drinking, and some pretty adult scenarios.  I would place this firmly in the HS and up range.  Grades 9 and up (ages 14+).

ARC Review: The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Publication Date: October 2nd, 2012

One night when Liza went to bed, Patrick was her chubby, stubby, candy-grubbing and pancake-loving younger brother, who irritated and amused her both, and the next morning, when she woke up, he was not. In fact, he was quite, quite different.

When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows exactly what has happened: The spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul.

She knows, too, that she is the only one who can save him.

To rescue Patrick, Liza must go Below, armed with little more than her wits and a broom. There, she uncovers a vast world populated with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy troglods, and overexcitable nids . . . as well as terrible dangers. But she will face her greatest challenge at the spindlers' nests, where she encounters the evil queen and must pass a series of deadly tests--or else her soul, too, will remain Below forever.

From "New York Times" best-selling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I'm not a huge reader of Middle Grade fiction, but there are a few exceptions to that, and anything by Lauren Oliver falls into that category.  I was really excited when she announced this upcoming book at a signing last year, and couldn't wait to get my hands on it (although I have to admit that my then seven year old son was even more excited than I was).  When the first reviews came out, however, I was dubious... One reviewer basically said it was Lewis Carroll meets Roald Dahl meets Neil Gaiman, and people, THAT is A LOT to live up to for anyone, but for me (and my son), it equals three classic MG Lit GODS.  I was afraid I would be disappointed.  Well, I'm here to tell you that I was not!  This book was magical and fabulous and just awesome.  I read it with my son and we both loved it (in fact, he wants to be a Spindler for Halloween)!  Let me tell you why...

• The World: Lauren has really outdone herself with the world-building in this book.  In her YA novels, I was a bit underwhelmed with the world-building.  The stories and characters well made up for this fact, but I never saw it as one of her strengths.  Liesl & Po was much better, but I was blown away by The Spindlers.  The descriptions were rich and imaginative, filled with beauty, horror, hope, and despair.  The world was definitely one of my favorite parts of this book.
• The Characters:  Liza was great.  Spunky, determined, and conscientious.  She was going to get her brother, Patrick's, soul back from the Spindlers at any cost, even that of her own soul.  I also loved Mirabella the rat!  She provided so much comic relief in what would have been a very dark story otherwise.  Often whiny and petulant, she was a perfect companion and guide on Liza's determined and principles-driven quest.  It was often that Mirabella's childish, spoiled attitude, tempered by her innocence, served as a reminder of Patrick (rather unlikeable at times) for Liza on her quest.  Even the most minor supporting characters were well drawn as well; the many creatures and inhabitants of Below were sometimes grotesque (the Moribats), sometimes beautiful (the Nocturni), and sometimes a little of both (the Lumer-Lumpen).  I loved them all, even the ones I just loved to hate like the Queen of the Spindlers.
• The Plot and Pacing:  This book is full of adventure and peril, set within the fantastical world, but it is so much more.  It is about love and relationships and determination in the face of adversity.  That said, it never EVER seems preachy to those points, which is SO important when writing for kids.  It never lulls and has surprises around each corner.  As an adult reader I did find some things a tad predictable, but when I look at it through the eyes of my eight year old son (the book's intended audience), I found it full of intrigue and magic.  I also loved the way it spoke of the strength of sibling love.  My son said he thought it was "nice that Liza wants to save Patrick even if she doesn't LIKE him much, because he is her brother and she LOVES him."  That is pretty much the story of his relationships with his two sisters, and I really loved that he picked up that subtle message.
• The Cover:  I got an eGalley of this book, so I didn't really get to look closely at the cover at first.  When I finally did, I was so impressed by the quality of the art and the many subtle plot-related details the artist included.  I think it is tied with Liesl & Po for my favorite Lauren Oliver cover.

In the end, I think The Spindlers is a must-read for Middle Grade readers, especially those who love Fantasy.  As for YA and adult readers, read it, but understand the intended audience, and try to keep that in mind.  I've read a few negative reviews that focused on predictability and that fact that there were some cliches and such.  Yes, there is some predictability at times, and it is a bit juvenile at others, but it is meant to be; it is no less wonderful in my mind because of those things.  The Spindlers is beautifully written and definitely a book I will be buying a finished copy of for my shelf.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is a Middle Grade novel, so the content is clean as it pertains to sex, violence, and language.  That said, it is scary at several points throughout.  There were a few times when I wondered if it would give my eight year old nightmares (it didn't).  That said, if a child is particularly sensitive to scary stuff, hold off.  The same wonderful world building and character development that made me love this book could end up being the stuff of nightmares for a too-young or very sensitive child.  Ages 8 and up (2nd/3rd grade+), older for the aforementioned.

Neglect!

Hi Ya'll!  Sorry I've been so neglectful of my blog of late.  It's been crazy around here!  My twins turned eight last week, I had houseguests for way too long, and tons of other stuff going on!  I'm back now though, and have some great stuff coming up.  I'm going to a signing with the fabulous Lauren Oliver tonight, so I will have a signed copy of her new book, The Spindlers, to give away (read my review HERE).  I will also be doing a few other giveaways in upcoming weeks, so stay tuned!  Additionally, I will be posting tons of reviews! I'm woefully behind on that, so I plan to spend a day or two writing lots.  Keep an eye out!