Wake

Written by Lisa McMann

Goodreads Synopsis: For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.
She can't tell anybody about what she does--they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.
Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant. 


My Confession: This is such a fascinating idea. It's one of those books that causes insane, irrational jealousy to bubble in my stomach as  I question Why didn't I write this first ? And the way Lisa McMann writes this story makes it all the more unique. The chapters are short and serve as more a stream-of-consciousness rather than traditional narration. Very quickly, we get inside Janie's head, right from the moment the book opens. There's no set-up, no "here's how I came to get sucked into people's dreams" explanation. We just jump right into a dream with Janie and don't question the how or the why. It's believable from the beginning. The fragmented sentences and minuscule background mirror the choppy, lonely life that Janie leads. There's no flowery language or upbeat optimism. Janie's not a particularly happy person. At all.

Until Cabel comes along, that is: Of course there's a boy. There has to be a boy. But Cabel? He's just as damaged--if not more so--than Janie. Now, two pessimists together don't exactly bring out the best in each other. Cabel brings out the insecurity in Janie, and Janie brings out fear in Cabel. They both keep secrets close to the chest, and their brutal pasts combine to make for some pretty dark moments. But the ending offers them an opportunity to put their anger and energy into a cause and gives Janie an outlet for her "curse." The story moves along at a fairly quick pace, seeing as how the language is as to-the-point as possible. I think that's why I liked this book so much. It treats the reader like an adult who can follow a slippery premise without loads of build-up and/or flashbacks. This way of writing cut out a lot of unnecessary drama or story diversion that many supernatural-ish books fall prey to.

Recommendation: This is the first book in a trilogy, and the way the story ends here will make you want to go pick up the next two. The covers are quite stunning and seem to mirror the theme of simplicity showcased in the writing. Wake is a really good example of how minimalist, powerful writing really can work in a book universe drowned in verbosity and unnecessary words. Considering this novel is YA, the quickness and brevity to the story really do cater to the assumed audience, but you don't have to be 14 to enjoy this book. It's not super-happy or extremely uplifting. But it's fascinating, and it will leave you thinking about it long after you're finished.

Rating: 4.2/5

210 pages, published by Simon Pulse (March 4, 2008)

Quote of the Day

"Love who you love while you have them. That's all you can do. Let them go when you must. If you know how to love, you'll never run out."

My Name is Memory

Overbite

Written by Meg Cabot

Synopsis: Meena Harper has a special gift, but it's only now that anyone's ever appreciated it. The Palatine Guard--a powerful secret demon-hunting unit of the Vatican--has hired her to work at their new branch in Lower Manhattan. With Meena's ability to predict how everyone she meets will die, the Palatine finally has a chance against the undead.
Sure, her ex-boyfriend was Lucien Antonescu, son of Dracula, the prince of darkness. But that was before he (and their relationship) went up in flames. Now Meena's sworn off vampires for good...at least until she can prove her theory that just because they've lost their souls doesn't mean they've lost the ability to love. 
Meena knows convincing her co-workers--including her partner, uber-demon-hunter Alaric Wulf--that vampires can be redeemed won't be easy...especially when a deadly new threat seems to be endangering not just the lives of the Palatine, but Meena's friends and family as well.
But Meena isn't the Palatine's only hope. Father Henrique--aka Padre Caliente--New York's youngest, most charming priest, has also been assigned to the case.
So why doesn't Meena--or Alaric--trust him?
As she begins unraveling the truth, Meena finds her loyalties tested, her true feelings laid bare...and temptations she never even imagined existed impossible to resist.
This time, Meena may have finally bitten off more than she can chew.

My Confession: I'm a huge Meg Cabot fan. Huge. She always manages to balance a light, satirical voice with big problems and crazy-cool action. Overbite isn't too different from that successful formula. A follow-up to Insatiable, I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to like this book. First of all, I'm allergic to vampire novels. Literally--I'm sick of these books. I find them annoying. I'm not-so-patiently waiting for the supernatural craze that has overtaken all of literature to die. I'd gladly put a stake in this phenom myself. One of my friends even proclaimed that Meg had "sold out" when she wrote Insatiable, seemingly jumping on the undead bandwagon. In the beginning, I kind of agreed. Even so, it caused me great pain to not pick up Insatiable and read Meg's take on the vampire world.

I was boycotting for the sake of boycotting. Within a week, I gave in. I read all 450-pages of Overbite's prequel and didn't really love it or hate it. It was just there. The end was better than the beginning, and the intensity of the action and suspense shone brighter than the I-love-you-please-become-a-vampire-like-me PDA moments between Lucien and Meena. I didn't read it again, and after I while, I forgot about it. But then I got a copy of Overbite free through my NYU program. And even though I didn't want to admit it to myself, I probably would have ended up buying this book regardless. NYU merely expedited the process and saved me $22.99.

Twice bitten--and much better: The best part about this book is that you don't need to have read Insatiable to understand what's going on. This book is much shorter (275 pages) and packs a much heavier punch. Tension was palpable throughout, and without the story setup that seemed to bog down Insatiable, the plot moved along at a much more rapid and enjoyable rate. Meena is a pretty likable character who never borders on whiny or cliche. I enjoyed the progression of her character as well as the development of both Alaric and Lucien. For once, the vampire boyfriend isn't Edward Cullen perfect. There are moments when it feels like there are too many characters, and trying to juggle them all and remember who they were and how they related to the story was a bit distracting. But on the plot side, Meg kept many different balls in the air at once, not allowing a single mystery to be solved until the end. The suspense and action was pretty fantastic. It was a page-turner. And the vampire-ness? Not nearly as annoying as the rest. By using legitimate history and real places in Manhattan, Overbite felt grounded in reality. The fantasy element was there, obviously, but somehow managed to not overtake the story.

Recommendation: I do recommend this vampire book! Read that again, because it's the first and last time I'll ever write that. This is a really enjoyable and quick-paced read. I surprised myself with how much I liked it, especially since my feelings about Insatiable were lukewarm at best. If you haven't read the first book, don't. Read Overbite first, and then, if you're left wanting more (which you will be, duh), pick up Insatiable. I'm planning on reading it again myself. I think I might actually enjoy it more now having read Overbite. Weird.

Rating: 4/5

275 pages, published by Harpercollins (July 5, 2011)

The Wings Trilogy

WINGS
Written by Aprilynne Pike

Goodreads Synopsis: Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful--too beautiful for words.
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

My Confession: I picked this book up mainly because the cover was just so mesmerizing. I loved the simplicity of the title and was intrigued about the notion of faeries and how their seemingly centuries-old folklore could be modernized. The main character, Laurel, discovers that she's a faerie. And not just any ordinary faerie, of course, but a very important one--one who was purposefully planted in the human world for a special mission. The world Pike creates here is new and fresh. It's light, airy, and fun--just like the plant and sunlight-driven characters. There's action, danger (courtesy of the token "bad guys"--trolls), and romance, which, by the end of the novel, looks more like a love triangle than the beginning story allowed. There's sweet human David, who knows all about Laurel's secret, and doesn't care. He even fights the trolls alongside her. And then there's Tamani, the darkly handsome faerie assigned to guard Laurel, whose deep and otherworldly affection dates back to when they were young faeries together. Pike doesn't let the story get bogged down with the typical adolescent angst that usually comes from such triangles. Laurel has a good head on her shoulders, and the action and drama that center around the faerie world take precedence over the romance. As it rightly should.

SPELLS

Goodreads Synopsis: Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.
When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

My Confession: I enjoyed the first book so much that I didn't hesitate to pick up the sequel when it hit shelves. And let me tell you, it was just as great as the first. This time, we get a closer look into the faerie world of Avalon, where Laurel is called to spend her summer learning how to fulfill her "destiny" as a powerful Fall faerie. Having only attended school in the mortal world, Laurel is charmingly out of place, despite many of the faeries knowing who she is and treating her like a celebrity. The descriptions of this fantastical faerie realm were vivid and breathtaking, the scenes of carnivals and street fairs startlingly realistic for such a made-up world. We also get to see a lot more of Tamani, which is by no means a bad thing (I think you'll discern my Team Tamani leanings--I always side with the tall, dark, and handsome immortal). Laurel's history with and exploration of Avalon doesn't overtake the whole book--there's plenty of action and danger waiting in the human world. More dastardly characters are introduced, and I must say, I'm impressed with the heroine's lack of damsel-in-distress syndrome. Laurel continually comes off as strong, smart, and quick-thinking. The plot here is fresh and interesting. New faerie "rules" come to the forefront often, but their discovery makes sense. Pike makes sure that her audience is never confused and muddled in this world she's created--even better, they believe in it. Spells, unlike Wings, ends on a cliffhanger. Guess we know what I did next....

ILLUSIONS

Goodreads Synopsis: "I don't do patrols, I don't go hunting, I just stick close to you. You live your life. I'll keep you safe," Tamani said, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. "Or die trying."
Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.
But just as life returns to normal, Laurel realizes that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

My Confession: If you thought Spells left you hanging, just wait until you reach the breathless conclusion of Illusions. I don't know when the fourth and final book is coming, but I hope it's soon. Very, very soon. The energy and action builds slowly in this book, but the undercurrent of what could be going on just smolders. Tamani reenters Laurel's life once again, but this time, it's in a place she least expects--her school. Naturally, this turns David into a smoking pile of jealously and barely-suppressed rage. Not gonna win you points, human boy. Anyway. For the first time, we get to watch the story unfold from someone other than Laurel's perspective. Much of the narrative comes from Tamani's point of view, which sheds a certain light on his character that we hadn't seen before. It was interesting hearing his and Laurel's conversations through his ears. I was so used to having Laurel as my filter, but Tamani was just as interesting, if not more so. I can't help thinking that there's still more to his character. Perhaps that's why I find him so fascinating, as opposed to David, whose shining traits, while undeniable, do seem to work against him this time. The characters are still evolving, the action still pulsing, and the danger still frightening. Nothing is solved at the conclusion of this book; in fact, a whole new can of worms seems to have been opened. Unlike some supernatural series, who beat the same plot point into the ground over four to seven books, this series does not. It continually finds new ways to introduce old problems and build off them.

Recommendation: I can't wait to see what happens next. If you haven't read these books, or read the first and never finished, use this time before the final installment to reacquaint yourself.

Oh, and watch this.

Until book four....

Series Rating: 4.5/5

Published by HarperTeen

Just a Kiss

Just a thought....

I don't know what it is, but something about this song makes me want to write a book about the two main characters in this video. For some reason, I couldn't stop smiling through the entire thing. Made me want to go hop on a plane and find one of these for myself.

Think there's a story here? I do.

I'd Know You Anywhere

Written by Laura Lippman

Synopsis: "There was your photo, in a magazine. Of course, you are older now. Still, I'd know you anywhere."
Suburban wife and mother Eliza Benedict's peaceful world falls off its axis when a letter arrives from Walter Bowman. In the summer of 1985, when Eliza was fifteen, she was kidnapped by this man and held hostage for almost six weeks. Now he's on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, and Eliza wants nothing to do with him. Walter, however, is unpredictable when ignored--as Eliza knows only too well--and to shelter her children from the nightmare of her past, she'll see him one last time.
But Walter is after something more than forgiveness: he wants Eliza to save his life...and he wants her to remember the truth about that long-ago summer and release the terrible secret she's keeping buried inside.

My Confession: It's been a long time since I read, and really got into, a thriller story. But as soon as I read the basic synopsis of this book, I was hooked. I've always found abduction stories fascinating, perhaps because an author who can create a sympathetic antagonist is special and should be read. But mainly because these types of stories always feel like puzzles, and if I just pay careful enough attention, I can solve it before it's over.

This book didn't quite live up to that expectation. I was really excited to read it. The idea that Eliza had suppressed something horrible that happened during those six weeks and now had to relive it in order to possibly save her abductor--that's pretty powerful stuff. And it would have been, if there'd been a secret at all. There wasn't. If anything, it was a misunderstanding, a matter of semantics. Hardly something that Eliza had purposefully been hiding. My mind had initially jumped to a bunch of crazy conclusions--was she an accomplice? Did she kill that last girl? I was waiting for the promised suspense and "thrilling" conclusion. It just never came.

Slow Burn: There were numerous times where this story moved painfully slow. I liked the idea of jumping from the present time, with Eliza taking care of her children, to the past--1985, to be exact--when Elizabeth was forcibly in the company of Walter Bowman. But it just read like wading through quicksand. It was too slow for a suspense novel. I wasn't waiting in anticipation to see what was going to happen; I already knew what happened, and I guess I was just waiting to see how Lippman was going to write about it. I didn't get chills, didn't feel anxious, and slept like a baby after finishing it.

So, Stephen King--whose bombastic praise is slapped across the cover--I disagree. I don't find this "the best suspense novel of the year." Far from it. If there is praise to be heaped on this book, it comes in the portrayal of the abductor. Walter Bowman is one of the most complex characters I've ever read, and the way I was able to crawl into his head and almost understand what he was doing and why--that's creepy. His carefully planned manipulation of Eliza--creepy. The fact that when he's on death row, and the morality of the death penalty is constantly called into question, I still couldn't make up my mind whether he deserved to die or not--that's unnerving. That's where I wish this book had gone. I wish it had explored further the elements that made my skin crawl. There was too much narrative, too much story, and not enough sweaty-palms fear.

Recommendation: As far as thrillers go, I was nowhere near as uncomfortable as I should have been reading this. In fact, I could put it down, and did numerous times. It just wasn't very magnetic. There wasn't a big conclusion, a gigantic twist that no one saw coming. It all built to this big "secret" that Eliza was hiding, and it turned out there was no secret at all. Too much information was given to the reader, and since the road was blindingly lit and not dark and twisted, I navigated a little too well.

Rating: 2/5

373 pages, published by William Morrow (Sept. 1, 2010)

Sisterhood Everlasting

Written by Ann Brashares

Goodreads Synopsis: From #1 New York Times Bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.
Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn't take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can't seem to shed her old restlessness.
Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever--but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

My Confession: I couldn't pick this book up fast enough. First of all, I didn't know for months that it even existed. After reading Forever in Blue, the final book in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, I thought these characters were done. I'd seen the movies, lamented their abbreviation of three-books-into-one method, and made peace with the characters I'd grown up reading. I'd accepted their ending. I was okay with where they were. It made sense to me. I moved on.

And then this book happened.

I wasn't ready for what I was about to read in these pages. All I knew was that I wanted to read about Carmen, Bridget, Lena, and Tibby one more time. I loved these girls. I, myself, am one of four friends who've managed to stay close after high school. I could identify with Lena's shyness, Bridget's occasional depression, Tibby's need to create something bigger than herself, and Carmen's compassion and maternal desire to keep everyone together. I was excited knowing that this book would take place ten years after the fourth book, putting all four women close to their thirtieth birthdays. I'm hedging on 22, so I can't say that I can relate completely, but I expected them to have stayed mostly the same. Characters so deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of girls everywhere couldn't have changed much, right?

Wrong: I was so wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. There were moments where I felt like I didn't know these girls at all. Bridget was still restless? I couldn't believe that at almost 30, she was still poised to throw away her life with Eric (who she spent the entire series chasing, losing, loving, gaining, and taking for granted) to become the "wild child" she'd been at 16. For some reason, my tolerance for her antics reached a breaking point. I know it sounds cliche, but during her part of the narrative, I shook the book and wanted to yell grow the eff up! numerous times. Even worse, Carmen, the girl I probably related to the most throughout the series, was utterly unrecognizable. Now a big-shot actress, she's engaged to a decade-older, bald, cold-fish man who's everything the hopelessly romantic Carmen who fell in love with Win would never have given a second look. She's forced her voluptuous Latin body into a size 0, talks down to her mother, seems burdened by her newly-widowed father, and acts like a selfish, self-centered beeyotch. I hated her. And then I hated myself for hating her. She'd been my favorite. But, in this book, I didn't know her.

The only one who stayed the same was Lena. Lena, Lena, Lena. Still lamenting over never getting together with Kostos, which is, of course, her fault. She continually ignored his numerous overtures until, understandably, Kostos threw in the towel. But never fear! This star-crossed couple isn't finished. It was mildly satisfying to watch Lena grow something resembling a spine, and Kostos is as gentle and giving as he always was. But while the other two girls seemed forcibly altered, it was Lena who could have used the aging. She was still trapped in her nineteen-year-old mentality. Her insecurity, like it does in the previous books, gets old very quickly.

And then there's Tibby, the whole reason I cried continuously throughout this book. I won't tell you why--it's too big a spoiler. [If you want to know what happens but don't want to pick up the book, contact me and we can chat.] I was angry at Ann for changing the dynamic between the friends this drastically, in this particular way. I'm not sure that it was necessary. I felt a certain detachment from this book that I hadn't felt from the previous four. Maybe it was because I wish many of the events in the book hadn't occurred  or more importantly, that they hadn't occurred to these four people. I loved them too much. I was too attached. I wanted their futures bright, happy, open. This book wasn't where I pictured them ending up.

Recommendation: I won't be able to stop you from picking this book up if you've read the previous four and are just itching to read more. That's what led me to this purchase. It's what led me to crack the cover even though I had a feeling of trepidation. Just let me warn you: if you're looking for the girls you grew up with, you won't find them here. Not really. There are glimpses, cracked windows into the adults that could be the Sisterhood all grown up. The story is dark, the plot a vacuum that leaves you feeling drained, sad, and tired. It wasn't the future I wanted for them. In some ways, a few ends were tied up nicely. But there's a hole--a big, gigantic one--that forms in this book, and it's never filled. I ended up feeling a disconnect from this book entirely, and it felt like a stand-alone novel with characters who only happened to be named Bridget, Lena, Tibby, and Carmen. Read it if you can't stop yourself. Stop yourself if you're happy with the ending that Forever in Blue leaves you with. That's how I'd rather remember those girls: giddy, fun, close, and ready for the future.

Rating: 2.5/5

368 pages, published by Random House (June 14, 2011)

FREE BOOKS.

Why am I making this face, you ask?

Free books, y'all. Well, free books for me anyway. My NYU program has finally shifted its attention to book publishing, and the best part? FREE BOOKS. I'm getting lots.

And I'll review them all here. GET EXCITED.

(This picture was actually taken at a David Cook concert two years ago. Books are the only other thing besides that gorgeous man that make my face contort in such a manner. His new CD comes out tomorrow--get at it.)

Love Walked In

Written by Marisa de los Santos


Goodreads Synopsis: When Martin Grace walks into the hip Philadelphia coffee shop Cornelia Brown manages, her life changes forever. Charming and debonair, the spitting image of Cary Grant, Martin sweeps Cornelia off her feet, but, as it turns out, Martin Grace is more the harbinger of change than the change itself. Meanwhile, on the other side of town, eleven-year-old Clare Hobbes must learn to fend for herself after her increasingly unstable mother has a breakdown and disappears. Taking inspiration from famous orphans (Anne Shirley, Sara Crewe, Mary Lennox, and even Harry Potter) Clare musters the courage to seek out her estranged father. When the two of them show up at Cornelia's cafe, Cornelia and Clare form a bond as unlikely as it is deep. Together, they face difficult choices and discover that knowing what you love and why is as real as life gets.


My Confession: I almost didn't finish this book. And I say that about close to no books. Ever. That's how slow this story started off. At one point, probably around page 100, I closed the cover, flopped back on my bed, and exasperatingly exclaimed to my roommate, "I just can't get into this book. It's disappointing." She, also a reader, had the good sense to make sympathetic clucking noises. However, being the bookaholic I am, I refused to totally give up on this book. I stuck it back on my shelf and resolved to come back to it. Which I did, of course. And the middle-to-end of the book was significantly better than the beginning. I could appreciate all the references to Philadelphia, seeing as how that's where I'm from, and not nearly enough books take place in the City of Brotherly Love. I also really like the name Cornelia. The character, on the whole, had a strong voice throughout, breaking out of her narration often to address her readers directly. However, this didn't totally work for me. Even though her voice is there, I was left feeling rather muddled about her character. Maybe she was too strong. But I had a hard time identifying and understanding this tiny person, who I couldn't picture to save my life and whose personality seemed so contrasting at times. 


And don't even get me started on Martin. Or their relationship. Not real. Not even close. I never believed it, never liked it, never felt it. As the book and plot progressed, you'd believe that perhaps their wooden interactions were purposeful, but my gut tells me they weren't. I had a hard time picturing him too, even though Cornelia kept likening him to Cary Grant. Considering their relationship pretty much opened the book, perhaps that's why I couldn't get into the story. Something about it seemed off. Not genuine. 


Skirting Issues: While I finally felt invested close to the end of the book, I noticed that a few major issues were being brought up: alcoholism, abuse, child abandonment, bipolar disorder, and death. I appreciated the different dimension these problems brought to what would have been a saccharine love story otherwise. But I was disappointed that these issues were never investigated or explored more. They were introduced and then swept away just as quickly. It was almost like they were added to give the story depth, but the author didn't really want to get into the stickiness of what they entailed. I was left with the feeling that those harder-hitting plotlines were a supporting cast instead of a lead. In the end, the story felt disjointed between hopeless romanticism and sad uncertainty. Blend them, and you've got a fantastic and moving book. Run them parallel to each other, never intersecting, and you've got a recipe for confusion and disjointedness. 


My Recommendation: I don't know. A part of me liked the book. I felt pleasant after reading it. I believed the second love story more than the first (you'll know what I mean when/if you read this). The character of Clare may be the best reason I have for recommending this book. She was the most consistent voice throughout, and I enjoyed her perspective on the more adult things going on around her; half the book is told from her perspective, a smart move, especially since I found Cornelia a tad annoying, even shrill, at times. Is it a cute story? Sure. Will it take you a while to get invested? Yup. But I'm not sorry I stuck it out. There are a few sweet moments in here that just might make the whole read worth it.


Rating: 3/5


307 pages, published by Plume (Dec. 29, 2005)

This is Where I Leave You

Written by Jonathan Tropper


Goodreads Synopsis: The death of Judd Foxman's father marks the first time that the entire Foxman family--including Judd's mother, brothers, and sister--have been together in years. Conspicuously absent: Judd's wife, Jen, whose fourteen-month affair with Judd's radio-shock-jock boss has recently become painfully public.
Simultaneously mourning the death of his father and the demise of his marriage, Judd joins the rest of the Foxmans as they reluctantly submit to their patriarch's dying request: to spend the seven days following the funeral together. In the same house. Like a family.
As the week quickly spins out of control, longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed, and old passions reawakened. For Judd, it's a weeklong attempt to make sense of the mess his life has become while trying in vain not to get sucked into the regressive battles of his madly dysfunctional family. All of which would be hard enough without the bomb Jen dropped the day Judd's father died:  she's pregnant. 


My Confession: I was first drawn to this book because of the cover. It's not just colorful--it's textured. I'm all for tactile stimulation (which is perhaps why I'll never warm up completely to ebooks), so the sensation of this book in my hands felt about as authentically literary as you can get. Before I even read the summary on the back, I was sold. And once I cracked the pages, I was hooked. Tropper has one of the most fantastic literary voices I've ever read. He's witty, sardonic, self-deprecating, wry, and intuitive, and because of this, he draws us in to his multi-faceted character and the complicated, tangled mess that is his life. After the first page, I was invested. That kind of writing takes incredible skill.


Sitting Shiva: This book, structurally, takes place over seven days, but we're treated to Judd's romantic, scholastic, and familial history throughout the novel. We're thrown so deeply into his head that we feel his fears, his desires. His betrayals are our betrayals, his depression our own. I don't think this story could have been as moving without the first-person narration. Seeing the other characters through the filter of Judd's memories and experiences paints a fulfilling picture. In other words, I didn't need to know their side of the story; I knew and trusted my narrator enough to take his descriptions at face value. Again, a very difficult feat that Tropper does easily. Judd is such an incredibly flawed character, and his family is positively certifiable. What goes down during those seven days (and the past thirty-something years that lead up to the family sitting Shiva) proves the point that relationships, love, and--most importantly, memories--are imperfect. As Judd tries to work through the quicksand of despair that seems to come at him from all angles, he's forced to confront decades-long resentment and guilt. Most importantly, the reader is left with the notion that silence, and a lack of trust in those closest to you, never bodes well. Silence is not golden.


My Recommendation: Every single character in this novel is flawed. Every single one seems to have a secret, a battle, a cross to bear in some way. The way they're tied together makes for one insanely intricate novel. However, the pieces click together impossibly well, and the reader feels just as connected to those characters as Judd does. In fact, in the middle of this read, I felt like I had to physically pull myself out of Judd's skin when I'd put the book down--and I'm a girl. For the first time, I felt like I could relate to and understand a male narrator who, while a bit more dramatic, had worries, fears and doubts not unlike my own. My family is a lot less dysfunctional, but every family has problems somewhere. This is Where I Leave You doesn't bother to romanticize the kinds of relationships most people simultaneously treasure and long for. And that's precisely what makes it so special.


Rating: 4.8/5


339 pages, published by Dutton Adult (Aug. 6, 2009)

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Written by Jenny Han


Goodreads Synopsis: Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.


My Confession: This was a really sweet read. From the carefree prose to the breezy descriptions of the delectable shore line, this story felt light. As someone who has treasured summers down the shore, I felt like this book really captured the atmosphere of the otherworldly sensation of sand between your toes and young love in your heart. I don't know about you, but I'm always more optimistic when I'm at the beach. It's always been my safe place, my home-away-from-home. When it's time to leave, you usually have to drag me away (kicking and screaming is not just for toddlers, you know). Having tried to write about my love for and connection with the shore, I know how hard it is to create that special emotion and convey it to a reader. Han, however, does a pretty good job with it.


I enjoyed how the book was formatted. By starting in the present and then jumping back and forth in time (you're given fair warning, so the transitions are smooth instead of jerky), you get a real feeling for why Belly is so in love with the shore--and Conrad. Belly, who's only 16--even though there are moments when she seems much older--has been in love with the older Conrad her entire life. Even though he's brooding, moody, and never seems to acknowledge her as anything more than a pest, she turns to mush inside whenever he's around. Knowing this right up front, I was a little leery that this book would turn into Belly-pining-for-Conrad-and-Conrad-never-noticing-Belly. 


I was pleasantly surprised.


Early on, it becomes clear that Conrad does notice Belly as something more than a younger sister, but something keeps him from acting on it. And Belly, not one to turn down a good opportunity, meets a boy that summer and pursues a relationship. While Conrad remains in the back of her mind, it was refreshing to see that she didn't spend her entire summer doing her hair all pretty so Conrad might notice. Even though I never doubted (and I think this is the point) just how deep her feelings for Conrad run. She really does love him, but something holds her back, too. 


A Fresh Breeze: This YA novel has many layers. On the surface, it seems like a superficial love-triangle story of a pretty girl torn between two boys (brothers, no less). But that's not exactly how this plays out. Friendships are explored--between the kids as well as the adults--and serious issues, such as cancer, are dealt with out in the open. Belly proves herself to be a rather un-shallow character, and her summers revolve around more than boys. She has a close relationship with her family and feels extremely linked to Susannah, Jeremiah and Conrad's mom. And while her love life took up a significant amount of the book, there was enough substance that keep this story from getting annoyingly pubescent. 


My Recommendation: It's pretty much the perfect summer read. It's light, airy, and fun. It delves slightly deeper than you might expect, and every time you think you've just about had enough, something new happens that takes the plot down a different road. The Summer I Turned Pretty is the first book of a trilogy, so the ending has almost no resolve. Personally, I'd be interested to see where Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah go from this point in their story. Han does a great job of creating multi-faceted characters that are easy to invest in and root for. Yes, it's classified as YA lit, but I think anyone who knows what it feels like to spend a summer down the shore will enjoy this. 


Rating: 4.5/5


276 pages, published by Simon & Schuster (May 5, 2009)

Something Borrowed Movie Review

I promised earlier when I reviewed Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin that I'd follow it up with a review of the film. I practically ran to the theater to see this with my friends. I was so excited after watching both trailers. I knew I wasn't going to be entirely objective, and I don't fool myself into believing I'm a credible film critic. That aside, a promise is a promise. So, to begin, here's what I loved about this adaptation.

I loved:
1. The above video. I don't know what it is, but something about this dance sequence is really human. Anyone who knows how the story ends up feels a little pang for Rachel and Darcy, who, despite both betrayals, did have moments of true friendship.
2. This. Lots and lots of this. 
3. John Krasinski was so incredibly endearing as Ethan. Even though he doesn't have a large role in the book, I'm so glad they decided to forgo the novel on this one. He was just brilliant. So funny and adorable. His witty banter during the trips to the Hamptons was classic.
4. Rachel and Dex. Besides the fact that I just loved ogling Colin Egglesfield during the movie ad nauseum, these two were super-cute together. Their flashback scenes to how they became friends in law school were well-done. 

Could have been better:
1. While I'm glad they ignored the book's lack of Ethan-ness, there were some plot points I wished they'd included in the film. For instance, the 4th of July weekend--not really a big deal in the movie. All of a sudden, Dex's parents were there, throwing an awkward monkey-wrench into the situation. The reasoning behind Dex's parents' shameless promotion of his marriage to Darcy (and his father's unnecessarily nasty comment that Dex better end his relationship with Rachel) was never resolved. It was an odd addition that never really made sense. And was I the only one missing the magic dice? Double sixes! Can't believe they didn't make a cameo.
2. The jig-is-up scene. [SPOILER ALERT!] When Darcy visits Rachel after Dex calls off their wedding, she figures out that Dex is in Rachel's apartment. In the book, she figures it out when she finds Dex's watch on Rachel's nightstand. In the film, she discovers his suit jacket in Rachel's foyer. And instead of finding Dex crouched low in Rachel's closet, wearing nothing but boxers and clutching his clothes, Darcy finds Dex just chillin' in the kitchen. Darcy's raw rage, Rachel's blind panic, and Dex's calm anger never translates. I know this is a danger when books get turned into movies, but this was not how I pictured that scene going down at all. 
3. The end. I'm sorry, but while the ending in the book is far from cinematic (Rachel and Darcy do not speak), I felt like having them "bump into" each other on the streets of NY was just dumb. It didn't feel genuine at all, and that literary part of me rebelled against this addition. I guess they were setting up for a sequel where Rachel and Darcy can be civil (even though, in Something Blue, they never regain a normal friendship), but I was just disappointed. It felt like the filmmakers were trying to resolve all the conflict, and it ended up too nice-and-neat.
4. It was waaaaay too obvious that Ginny Goodwin was wearing a wig.

All in all, I love the book. I knew a part of me would love the movie purely for that reason. And when it comes out on DVD, you can be sure it'll become a part of my collection. Parts of this movie were well-done, and I laughed pretty consistently throughout. I loved the romance, even wished at times it had been pushed a little further. I hate the times when Dex comes off like he has no backbone, and the moments when you want to slap Rachel for not telling Darcy the truth. Perhaps it's because I read the book that I don't have a problem with the "moral ambiguity" of sleeping with your best friend's fiance. Rachel is sympathetic; Darcy comes off like a giant beeyotch who doesn't deserve Dex the Dreamboat. But there are times when I wish their personalities weren't so contrasting. It leaves people unfamiliar with the story wondering why those two stayed friends for so long.

And, just because....

Shameless, I know. But isn't he gorgeous? Ugh.


Grade: B- (but Colin gets an A)


Photos courtesy of Google Images, and video courtesy of Youtube

Shiver

Written by Maggie Stiefvater

Goodreads Synopsis: 

the cold.

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat. 

Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

the shiver.

For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human--and Grace must fight to keep him--even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

My Confession: I commend Stiefvater for creating a paranormal romance that somehow manages to keep both feet in the realm of normal. While the subject of werewolves has been broached and, at times, seriously overdone, there's something different and fresh about the love story between Sam and Grace. For one, their relationship seems extremely real. Perhaps it's the easy and fluent dialogue between the two, but I never second-guessed their sincere feelings for each other. And, given the history the two share before they even meet as humans, there is something special about how quickly they fall into a routine with each other. Take away the supernatural element, and the story loses its urgency. But, at the same time, Shiver does not feel reliant on the notion of creatures-you-never-believed-existed to carry the storyline.

Sam's Shiver: Sam's only a human during the warmest seasons--namely, the months between June and August. For some reason, as soon as it starts getting cold, he--wait for it--shivers, and turns back into a wolf until the warm weather returns. Naturally, that's going to put a kink in his relationship with Grace, especially since he senses that the summer he spends with her will be his last a human. 

The rules Stiefvater puts in place for Sam's transformation creates a sad and omnious tone for the novel's duration. There's a feeling of inevitability that these two lovers will be separated forever. And even though I love a good happy ending, I just didn't see how it could be pulled off without cheapening what came before. Seeing as this is the first book in a trilogy, there is obviously some resolve, but Stiefvater has stated a few times that she wrote these books to make people cry. 

In other words, brace yourselves. 

My Recommendation: As I anxiously await the arrival of Forever (click here to pre-order the final book in this trilogy, out July 12), I enjoy reading this story over. Linger, the second book, will be reviewed here as well in the future, and also packs a somber punch. The series could go either way--happy or sad. And even though there's a part of me that wishes I knew, the lack of predictability is what makes these books so special. Without a strong foundation in Shiver, this series would have nothing to build on. You'll get attached to the characters, but not because they're written in an overly-sympathetic or mushy way. 

It feels like Shiver accomplishes what Stephenie Meyer tried to do in the creation of Twilight's "heroine" Bella. Grace is her own person, but she feels like you, or your best friend. Sam is the boyfriend you always wanted, but when you get him, he both gets on your nerves and inspires spontaneous bursts of love. Wolves aside, this could be your life. Well, not really. But you get my drift.

Rating: 4.2/5

392 pages, published by Scholastic Press (Jan. 1, 2009)

One Day

Written by David Nicholls


Synopsis: It's 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day--July 15--of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself.


My Confession: I'd been wanting to read this book for quite some time, and I'm almost embarrassed to admit that it was the film version (which looks rather good, by the way) which lit a fire under me to finally pick it up. And I loved it. Every single, love-struck, frustrating, devastating page. This is a love story. This is the way love should be written about. This book has so much heart. The best part about it is that the relationship between Dexter and Em is far from perfect; in fact, they don't see each other every year on July 15. Their lives take them different places and in different directions. They both screw up, they both love other people. But in the end, the undeniable tug toward each other just steals the show.


Dexter Drama: One of the main criticisms I've seen for this book is the supposed "unlikable and shallow" character of Dex Mayhew. I'll be the first person to say that Dex does come off as selfish, daft, lazy, narcissistic, and blind to all the good in his life. He takes Emma for granted for most of the book and makes more mistakes than most people get away with in life. However, despite his hopeless flaws, I find Dex a wonderfully refreshing and realistic character. Yes, he's an ass. Yes, he uses people and struggles with personal relationships. But at his core, we're supposed to believe that Dex is a good person with a good heart. And no matter where his drama takes him throughout the book, no matter how many women he sleeps with or how his alcoholism ravages a promising career, I never doubted that he loved Emma with every fiber of his being. 


His love for her makes him a redeemable character. I've known guys like Dex: guys who act like big shots; guys who think they are going to become famous and "make something" of themselves; guys who come across as having gigantic egos; guys who love pretty women and have trouble settling down. But at the end of the day, I've learned that those guys can also be charming, endearing, and just plain good. Maybe it's that connection that left me enjoying the refreshing way Dex was written. He's not Prince Charming; that's not the point. He's real. And it works.


The ending: Hated it. Loathed it. Couldn't sleep after I read it. But that's what makes it a great ending. Emotionally, I wanted to rip Nicholls a new one, but I truly appreciate how deeply this book hit me. There hasn't been a story that kicked me in the gut as hard as this one. I got so attached to the characters, so attached to the story, and when it was over, I wanted more. I'm very curious to see how the movie handles this, as the ending is far from prettily Hollywood. I won't go into specifics, but somehow, after spending a few days thinking about it, the ending makes sense for the story. It resonates. As it should. 


Recommendation: Read it. It's magical. It provides that sweetness of romance with the bluntness of reality, a feat that's difficult to accomplish. Love can become cliche, but One Day cleanly rides the line between saccharine and harsh. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll probably go see the film and bemoan Anne Hathaway's fake British accent (I love her, but...no). You won't be able to put this one down, or stop thinking about it for days to come.


Rating: 5/5


437 pages, published by Hodder & Stoughton (April 13, 2004)

Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of...

This is the fountain in the heart of City Hall Park, NY.

Hey everyone! Sorry for the (long) hiatus. I just graduated from college (what?!) and moved to New York City (hence the Alicia Keys reference) to attend NYU's Summer Publishing Institute. The city is absolutely amazing. I've never been in New York longer than 12 hours, and I certainly haven't explored anywhere outside Times Square. I'm still a Philly girl at heart, but I always wondered what living in New York would be like. Now I'm here, and I'm meeting some extremely fun and interesting people. I've mastered the subway (for the most part) and love how just about everything is within walking distance.


Needless to say, I'm having the time of my life. That being said, I have no time for anything. The Institute is super-intense, but I'm determined to get back in the swing of things and bring back the book reviews!


I appreciate your patience, and there's a nice, long list of book reviews just waiting to hit cyber space.