Paper Towns Review

Author: John Effing Green
Release date: October 16, 2008
Pages: 305
Publisher: Dutton
How I got it: Bought 

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night - dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows her. Margo's always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she's always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they're for Q. Printz Medalist John Green returns with the trademark brilliant wit and heart-stopping emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of readers.

Brilliant. Geez, John Green's books make me think and laugh and feel and hurt and wish I had a quarter of the writing ability he has. He's just flaunting his brilliance in my face! AND I LOVE IT.

OK so I will admit that I was putting off reading Paper Towns. Why? Because I was scared. I'd heard so many people say that John Green's books were all the same, and I didn't fully believe them, but what if Paper Towns changed my mind? Especially since a lot of people seemed to say that this one was pretty much the same as Looking For Alaska?

Those people and I have veryvery different opinions, apparently.

“What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.” --from Paper Towns

There are so many reasons I adore this book. One of them would have to be how it made me look at Looking For Alaska in a different light. I know that sounds strange, but certain things that were said reminded me of Alaska and made me think about her and her journey in a completely different way. How freaking cool is that? Of course, even by itself this book rules, and Paper Towns is by no means another Looking For Alaska.

Paper Towns will make you think differently, and it will make you look at people and who they are and how you are seeing them. Quentin and Margo's adventure is not one that remains on the page, but one that lasts with you for a lifetime.

Plot: LOVE.

Characters: LOVE and ohmygosh the side characters were hilarious and wonderful, of course.

Writing: IT'S JOHN MOTHER-EFFING GREEN WHAT DO YOU THINK.

Ending: Gah, perfect.

Kid friendly? It's been a while since I've read it, but I know there was some swearing and mentions of sex.

Overall:

Dude, those who interrupt me while I try to read Paper Towns are getting a fork in the eye. Shushing is not enough.

This is yet another John Green novel that will be gracing my favorites shelf. Favorite author ever, right here.

Waiting on Wednesday

This week I'm waiting on...

Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

"Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next."

Poison by Bridget Zinn

"A teen girl finds herself a would-be assassin, hunting down her former best friend, the princess of the realm, via the aid of an enchanted piglet."

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook

"Two teenagers who, in search of a better life, run away to Vegas, but realize they can't run fast enough when they end up wanted by the police, out of money, and out of options, pitched as a YA Bonnie and Clyde."

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

"The cure for a broken heart? Go vintage and live like it’s 1962! Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, isn’t just cheating on her. He’s cheating with an online girlfriend. So Mallory decides to swear off boys and modern technology."

Where Things Come Back Review

Author: John Corey-Whaley
Release date: May 3, 2011
Pages: 228
Publisher: Anthenum
How I got it: Library 

Just when seventeen-year-old Cullen Witter thinks he understands everything about his small and painfully dull Arkansas town, it all disappears. . . .  

In the summer before Cullen's senior year, a nominally-depressed birdwatcher named John Barling thinks he spots a species of woodpecker thought to be extinct since the 1940s in Lily, Arkansas. His rediscovery of the so-called Lazarus Woodpecker sparks a flurry of press and woodpecker-mania. Soon all the kids are getting woodpecker haircuts and everyone's eating "Lazarus burgers." But as absurd as the town's carnival atmosphere has become, nothing is more startling than the realization that Cullen’s sensitive, gifted fifteen-year-old brother Gabriel has suddenly and inexplicably disappeared.  

While Cullen navigates his way through a summer of finding and losing love, holding his fragile family together, and muddling his way into adulthood, a young missionary in Africa, who has lost his faith, is searching for any semblance of meaning wherever he can find it. As distant as the two stories seem at the start, they are thoughtfully woven ever closer together and through masterful plotting, brought face to face in a surprising and harrowing climax.  

Complex but truly extraordinary, tinged with melancholy and regret, comedy and absurdity, this novel finds wonder in the ordinary and emerges as ultimately hopeful. It's about a lot more than what Cullen calls, “that damn bird.” It’s about the dream of second chances.

Where Things Come Back had so many cool things for it: a cool premise, a great sense of humor, a likable main character, a setting that at times felt like my own town. However, this is one I only liked and didn't love.

Where Things Come Back has several cool aspects to it. I specifically loved how it follows one character, then another he knew, then someone she dated...it all connected and for a while it confused me, but once it clicked it was really cool. For the first time I closed a book and I felt connected. To the earth and the people on it, to my decisions and how it affects people. That was really cool.

Cullen sometimes talks about himself in third person and puts himself in hypothetical situations. Done well, this could be cool, and not confusing. Done the way Corey-Whaley did it, it was very confusing. I often had to go back and re-read things to see just who we were talking about here.

Despite that, Where Things Come Back left me feeling less emotional and invested than I thought I'd be.

Plot: Definitely interesting.

Characters: Loved their witty banter.

Writing: Despite the occasional third person, I liked it.

Ending: Very fitting.

Kid friendly? There was swearing and sex.

Overall:

I read this book in two days but very little of it actually stayed with me.

Between its short pace and surprisingly compelling plot, I finished it quickly, though I didn't love it.

Crazy Review

Author: Amy Reed
Release date: June 12, 2012
Pages: 384
Publisher: SimonPulse
How I got it: For review via GalleyGrab 

He’s falling in love—and she’s falling over the edge of sanity. From the author of Beautiful and Clean, a heartwrenching exploration of a romance marred by mental illness. 

Connor knows that Izzy will never fall in love with him the way he’s fallen for her. But somehow he’s been let into her crazy, exhilarating world and become her closest confidante. But the closer they get, the more Connor realizes that Izzy’s highs are too high and her lows are too low. And the frenetic energy that makes her shine is starting to push her into a much darker place. 

As Izzy’s behavior gets increasingly erratic and self-destructive, Connor gets increasingly desperate to stop her from plummeting. He knows he can’t save her from her pain...but what if no one else can?

So before I start this review, can I get a WHAT WHAT for books about mental illness? Thank you. Now we may move on.

I hadn't heard much about Crazy, so my expectations for the novel were fairly low. However, after I finished it I immediately wondered why I hadn't heard more about it. I gobbled this one up and I have a good feeling that this story and these characters will be staying with me for a while.

Towards the beginning of the novel, Izzy seemed like your average manic pixie dream girl (which I have no complaints about, cause I'm known to have a weakness about books with manic pixie dream girls). But the deeper the connection between Connor and Izzy gets, the more we realize that she's not. Something else is going on. As you attempt to unravel more and more pieces of Izzy's life and maybe-not-so-normal mind, you won't be able to put this book down.

I loved that Crazy was written in emails. You get a real feel for Izzy and Connor's developing relationship, and a different look into each of their worlds than normal. I'm weird about books written through letters (it was one of my biggest problems with Perks of Being a Wallflower) but Reed managed to pull it off brilliantly, and it was surprisingly well-written.

Crazy was my first Amy Reed novel, but it definitely won't be my last. Crazy was different, twisted, grabbing, and just plain good. If you like contemporary with exciting yet scary characters, I'd definitely recommend Crazy.

Plot: Mostly revolves around Izzy's deteriorating health, but I still found it to be addictive.

Characters: Loved Izzy and Connor! 

Writing: Really, really good.

Ending: Perfect! 

Kid friendly? There was sex, swearing, and mentions of drugs and alcohol.

Overall:

I couldn't put this one down.

Once I started this book, I couldn't really stop. Not only is this novel a quick read, but it's also really good.

International Blogoversary Giveaway: Grave Mercy

Alright international peeps, it's time for you to get a contest too, right? Right.

I am offering up one brand new copy of Grave Mercy from The Book Depository, meaning it will ship to almost anywhere. (Double check to be sure that it will ship to you!)

In case you're new here, I absolutely ADORE this book despite my initial hesitation to read anything historical and I think you will too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogoversary Giveaway: Delirium Series

I've got ARCs of Delirium and Pandemonium that need a new home, would one of you care to help me out?

One winner (that lives in the US--sorry!) will get both of my ARCs!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck!

Holy Crap, 3 Years.

Guys. Guys.

Guess what?

Today is my 3 year blogoversary.

3 years later, and despite a rough patch I had at the beginning of this year, I still love this blog to pieces. I have met so many amazing people, read so many fantastic books, and learned so much just from blogging. Not to mention the ridiculous amount of fun I've had in the process.

Thank you all so much for being a part of such a huge aspect of my life! I hope I've made it worth your while and I hope you enjoy the upcoming giveaways.

Loser/Queen Review

Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Release date: June 22, 2010
Publisher: SimonTeen
Pages: 260
How I got it: For review from publisher 

Cammy Hall is what anyone would describe as a loser. She lives with her grandparents and has adopted their way of life… right down to the comfortable shoes and early bedtime. And can she help it that she actually likes to knit?  

At school, her skills with knitting needles and some yarn go completely unappreciated: people like Bekka Bell reign while Cammy and her best friend, the fearless Danish exchange student Gerdi, watch from the sidelines. Cammy’s used to being an outsider; after years of humiliating moments, her goal is simply to fly under the radar. Then she suddenly starts receiving mysterious text messages that lead her right to all the embarrassing secrets about the most popular kids in school. Cammy never expected to be able to climb up the high school food chain, and the agenda of the texter may be questionable—but how can she possibly give up the chance to be Queen?  

This is the print version of the groundbreaking online interactive serial LOSER/QUEEN. Readers will have the opportunity to own the book they helped create!

Loser/Queen had pretty much no substance to it whatsoever, but if you're in the market for a fun read, I would recommend this one.

As far as protagonists go, Cammy was a pretty good one. Her old-people-like nature makes her oddly charming and I found myself rooting for her pretty early on. However I did fine Cammy's friend Gerdi to be really annoying and she kind of bothered me throughout the story.

As far as light reads go, this book definitely didn't disappoint. Loser/Queen definitely had its funny moments. I found myself hysterically giggling once or twice (the STD scene, guys). However, the pacing of the novel seemed to be  very off throughout the story. Despite that, I read Loser/Queen very quickly.

Despite its predictability and cliches, I have to say I did enjoy Loser/Queen. I would recommend this one to teens looking for a cute summer read.

Plot: Predictable and shallow, but I knew that going into it.

Characters: Cammy was cool, Gerdi was ridiculously annoying, though.

Writing: Nothing spectacular.

Ending: Not bad.

Kid friendly? Very. There may have been one or two swear words, but that was it.

Overall:

I'd put this down have a conversation with you but I'd quickly return to it.

Loser/Queen is nothing special but sometimes that's what you need, and if you need that then Loser/Queen is what you're looking for.

Why We Broke Up Review

Author: Daniel Handler/Lemony Snicket
Release date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown
Pages: 354
How I got it: Library 

I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened. 

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

Why We Broke Up was an intense, sweet, heart-breaking read that will resonate with anyone that's ever been hurt by anyone, even if it wasn't a significant other. So yeah I guess that's pretty much everyone.

Of course, if you're picky about the writing style you enjoy, you may not want to pick up this book. I personally really enjoyed Handler's constant run-ons and I think it fit well with the main character and how she was furiously trying to scribble her thoughts onto paper, but I know some people that would be really bothered by that.

I want to be Min's best friend. Even though she's completely obsessed with old movies and would have to spend days catching me up on them, it'd be worth it. She's smart, funny, and completely unique. And I was surprised by how likable Ed was, in the classic first-boyfriend kinda way. I found their romance to be sweet and touching and knowing they were going to break up make me sad. (Well until I read why they did.)

I also really enjoyed the illustrations! Each one was quirky and bright, and I loved being able to see all of the things Min was talking about for myself. Observe:

Why We Broke Up has been getting its share of negative reviews, but I'm afraid I have to disagree with them because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I highly recommend picking this one up for yourself to see what you think of it.

Plot: Kinda thin, but I liked the concept and the way things unfolded.

Characters: I loved Min, and Ed was good too.

Writing: Really cool and special.

Ending: YAY.

Kid friendly? There was swearing, and mentions of sex and making out.

Overall:

I would lightly hiss at people if they tried to talk to me while I read this.

There is something special about Why We Broke Up. It had a certain charm to it that was hard to not love. One of my favorite reads of 2012 so far.

Top Books of 2012 So Far

I cannot believe we're halfway through 2012! I feel like I've hardly read anything... Or done anything else, for that matter... But anyways. Here are my favorite books that I've read from the past six months.

Paper Towns by John Green

Grave Mercy be Robin LaFevers

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

What are your favorites of 2012 so far?

Crazy: Character Tens List

As part of the Teen Book Scene's blog tour for Amy Reed's third novel, Crazy, I have a "tens list" with one of the main characters from the novel: Izzy! 

Izzy's Top Ten things to do before I die:

1. Run through a lightning storm

2. Show my art in a real gallery

3. Say "I love you" to a guy and really mean it

4. Hike the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu

5. Walk through Paris in the middle of the night

6. See The National live in concert

7. See my mom cry

8. Skateboard down the spiral ramp at the Guggenheim 

9. do magic

10. live one whole minute without being scared of anything

Wow, those are some awesome choices. I love 3, 5, and 10. They'll have to go on my bucket list too. Thanks Izzy (and Amy)!

Top Ten Favorite Heroines

So this week's Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and The Bookish) is a rewind, meaning I get to pick any past topic. Soooo I picked: Top Ten Favorite Heroines! HOLLA AT MY FAVORITE FELLOW FEMALES.

So let's start with the obvious, because I mean this is me we're talking about.

John Green's female leads

I love his manic pixie dream girls. They are my favorite. (Note: I've only read Looking For Alaska, Paper Towns, and An Abundance of Katherines. But still. I'M READING TFIOS SOON I PROMISE.) They are so full of depth and complexities. I love re-reading his novels just so I can look for more about them.

Ismae from Grave Mercy

I'm sure you guys saw this coming because of my review, but I'm still gonna say it: I freaking LOVE Ismae. She is smart, funny, and also AN ASSASSIN. I love her. She is one of my fictional idols.

Frankie from The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Pleeease can Frankie be the latest addition to my clique? Then my wolf pack can have four, AND we can have a wonderfully smart and determined chick in our clique that also makes up words and fantastic pranks.

Katniss from The Hunger Games Trilogy

This one's obvious.

Harper from Saving June

Harper pretty much rules, k? She's strong yet soft and funny and so, so real that it is unreal. Sometimes I felt like we were practically the same person, and for me that is one of the best feelings you can experience while reading.

Grace from The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series

Grace is a unique, interesting kind of heroine. She is not strong and she's not hilarious, but she creeps into your thoughts and stays there. It is most wonderful and I pretty much adore her.

Tris from Divergent

Tris? She is TOUGH. AS. NAILS. She follows her heart and then she throws knives at people and stuff. It is boss.

Mia from If I Stay and Where She Went

Mia is kind of like a Grace-type heroine but in a more understandable way, if that makes sense. She is a character that makes you feel like you could pluck her off the page and have a wonderful conversation with her. Also she's got such class.

Ava from Pink

Ava is SO CONFUSED. You cannot help but chuckle at her narration and her missteps while you love her and want her to just figure it out already.

Megan from The Iron Fey Series

You know what Megan does when her brother gets kidnapped in The Iron King? She's like, "K," and goes into the land of the freaking Fae where stuff tries to kill her. Dudes, if that isn't an anti-Bella, then I don't know what is.

When You Were Mine Review

Author: Rebecca Serle
Release date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 334
How I got it: For review from publisher 

In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale.  

What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.      

Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.     Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends…

I had no idea what to expect when I cracked When You Were Mine open, but I ended up being shocked in the best kind of way! Between its fresh yet elegant prose and addicting new take on Romeo and Juliet, this book managed to grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. I started this book at 3 in the afternoon and stayed up until 1:30 AM to finish it the same day. Yep, it was that addicting.

Rosaline is a character you will identify with immediately, and her friends Charlie and Olivia are also wonderfully bold and fun characters. It was also easy to hate Rob and Juliet but also easy to sometimes like them, especially when Rosaline told an especially sweet story of her and Rob's past friendship. The fact that no one was necessarily the "bad guy" made the novel that much more enjoyable. Also, YAY LEN.

I haven't read the original Romeo and Juliet but I mean, come on, we all know the story. That being said, I though Searles did a good job staying true to the original while also modernizing the classic tale. When You Were Mine proved to be funny, sad, sweet, and full of surprisingly raw emotion at times. Fans of contemporary can't afford to miss Serle's great debut.

Plot: The classic contemporary story-line with a cool twist.

Characters: I liked each of them in their own way.

Writing: Very good. I'll be looking for Serle's next novel.

Ending: Somehow I didn't see it coming (though I really should have) but I think it fit very well, though it did feel a little rushed.

Kid friendly? There was under-age drinking and swearing.

Overall:

You can pry this book from my cold, dead hands.

Dude, there was no way I was putting this book down. When You Were Mine initially hooked me with Rosaline's voice, and then I stayed for...well, everything else. One of my favorite reads of 2012 so far!

Trish Doller Interview

Something Like Normal totally rocked my socks, so I am super excited to have the very sweet and very awesome Trish Doller, author of Something Like Normal, over for an interview on this here blog of mine!

Where did the idea for Something Like Normal come from?

Almost a decade ago, when I was working as a staff reporter for my local newspaper, I interviewed a Marine who was home on leave after being deployed to Iraq. It struck me how young he was, and how he'd seen and done things his high school friends would never experience. When I actually started writing what would become Something Like Normal, it was about a girl and Travis was meant to be her love interest. But the memory of that interview came back and I realized he was a far more compelling character. 

I loved that you tackled something I've never read in YA before: war from a Marine's point of view. Did you ever think that a book about a Marine would be to adult for young adult? Was your agent and/or editor worried about it or totally on board?

I did have a moment of worry that a 19-year-old Marine might not qualify as young adult, but coming home from Afghanistan throws Travis back into a world where he's sleeping in his childhood bed, hanging around with his former high school friends, and dealing with the same issues he's always had with his dad. So while he's grown up and gone off to fight a war, he's expected to just fit right back into the space he left. And I think that's very young adult fiction. As for my agent, it was never a question. I sent her the first few chapters to get her thoughts and she suggested we submit it to a few editors. 

While I was reading your book, one of the things that really stood out to me was how much you really seemed to know about what the Marines and the protocol for it, etc. Did you already know this info before writing SLN, or did you have to do a ton of research?

I did a staggering amount of research for Something Like Normal. I started by reading books about the war in Afghanistan, post-traumatic stress disorder, boot camp...basically anything I thought I'd need to know about Marines. I watched movies (I highly recommend The Dry Land) and YouTube videos of Marines in combat; downloaded dozens of pictures; read internet articles about the Marines fighting in Helmand Province; and joined a message board, where Marines talked about everything--from dirty jokes to their experiences in war. Most of the videos, pictures, and articles were following a single battalion--the 3rd Battalion/6th Marines--during Operation Moshtarak, which was the assault on Marjah. Even though I didn't know any of the guys, I cried my eyes out when they came home. The best part of the research, though, was "meeting" one of the guys from that battalion through the message board. He answer questions for me about Afghanistan and when he went back on his second deployment, I sent him care packages.

Tell us something about you that's not on your "About The Author" page.

I have a weakness for guys who smuggle things on spaceships. Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds...this means you.

Coke or Pepsi?

I'm one of those weird people who likes both and alternates between them depending on my mood. But if I had to choose...Gah! Who knew this question could be so complicated?! I think...Coke. (I'm sorry, Pepsi.)

What's a book you wish got more attention?

I have a list of books I wish got more attention, but I think the one that stands out most in my mind is Blythe Woolston's The Freak Observer. She won the Morris Award for that book, but when the average shopper is going for the blockbusters, that brilliant little book gets overlooked and that's so wrong.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

You know how when you take a multiple choice exam you'll color in the bubble, change your mind, erase furiously, and color in a new bubble, only to find your first answer was correct? This. Don't spend too much time second guessing yourself. Trust your instincts.


Thank you so much for that great interview, Trish! I hope everyone enjoys reading your answers as much as I did.