In My Mailbox (55)

I bought and traded a ton of books this week (for the first time in awhile) and I also got some cool books for review. Can't wait to read everything!! :)

Bought:

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (already read and loved- wanted my own copy)

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund (already read and loved- wanted my own copy)

Undead Much by Stacey Jay (ditto)

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Secrets of a First Daughter by Cassidy Calloway

The Beginning (Glee #1) by Sophia Lowell

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

For Review & Trades:

Torment by Lauren Kate

A World Without Heroes (Beyonders #1) by Brandon Mull & totebag!

The Sapphire Talisman by Brenda Pandos

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Life, After by Sarah Darer Littman

Father of Lies by Ann Turner

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Bloodthirsty Review

Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney

Publisher: Poppy

Release date: October 5, 2010

Source: Publisher

Some vampires are good. Some are evil. Some are faking it to get girls. Awkward and allergic to the sun, sixteen-year-old Finbar Frame never gets the girl. But when he notices that all the female students at his school are obsessed with a vampire romance novel called Bloodthirsty, Finbar decides to boldly go where no sane guy has gone before-he becomes a vampire, minus the whole blood sucking part. With his brooding nature and weirdly pale skin, it's surprisingly easy for Finbar to pretend to be paranormal. But, when he meets the one girl who just might like him for who he really is, he discovers that his life as a pseudo-vampire is more complicated than he expected. This hilarious debut novel is for anyone who believes that sometimes even nice guys-without sharp teeth or sparkly skin-- can get the girl.

Review:

What a hilarious and original debut novel! I was sucked into Bloodthirsty right away and had a hard time putting it down. It was fast paced, fun, and interesting, and kept me constantly wondering how things would turn out.

I loved Finbar! He was such a realistic and awesome main character. I felt for him right away and only wanted the best for him throughout the story. His experiences and antics were truly hilarious and I loved how vampires played such a refreshing and unique role in this story.

Finbar Frame is just a regular, geeky teenager struggling to find his place in the world (alongside his sporty, super-popular twin brother Luke). Finbar had it hard enough always being compared to his brother, but to top it off he was skinny, pale, and stuck with the name Finbar. He also had terrible luck with girls. The best part of this novel was how contemporary and realistic it was. Fin could be anyone and the vampire craze that is a key plot point in this novel is definitely going on in my school as well, or at least it was when the Twilight mania was at it's peak. Finbar comes up with a great idea to get girls- pretend to be a vampire.

It was just so perfect an idea for Finbar. Vampirism just came naturally to him (minus drinking blood) and soon he had a number of people fooled. The plot was highly entertaining and kept me wanting to read all the time. I just had to know how things were going to end up for Fin! Fin's character was so developed and just amazingly boy that I could not believe it when I found out the author was really a female! She did an amazing job of getting into the head of a teenage boy!

The other characters were great as well. Especially Kate. She was the one girl that loved Finbar for who he was. She was a really complex character and as the story goes on the reader, and Fin, learn a little more about her. Even though Finbar and Kate were so different, they fit together perfectly.

Overall, Bloodthirsty is a fun, original, and enjoyable debut novel that will leave readers anxious to read more by Flynn Meaney. Males and females will both enjoy this. If you're tired of vampire novels and the typical tall, dark, handsome, and brooding male lead, definitely try out Bloodthirsty and even if you are a die hard Twilight fan, you may be surprised by how much you enjoy this!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Jumpstart the World Review

Jumpstart the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Release date: October 12, 2010

Source: Publisher/Author for Blog Tour

Elle is a loner. She doesn’t need people. Which is a good thing, because she’s on her own: she had to move into her own apartment so her mother’s boyfriend won’t have to deal with her.

Then she meets Frank, the guy who lives next door. He’s older and has a girlfriend, but Elle can’t stop thinking about him. Frank isn’t like anyone Elle has ever met. He listens to her. He’s gentle. And Elle is falling for him, hard.

But Frank is different in a way that Elle was never prepared for: he’s transgender. And when Elle learns the truth, her world is turned upside down. Now she’ll have to search inside herself to find not only the true meaning of friendship but her own role in jumpstarting the world.

Review:

I'm ashamed to say this is my first Catherine Ryan Hyde novel. I've heard amazing things about her previous works and have been meaning to pick up one of them for a long time. Luckily Jumpstart the World was a refreshing, emotional, and poignant read that made certain I will be buying more of Catherine's books soon.

The characters were some of the most unique and well developed. The main character Elle made me feel for her so much. Considering we were the same age I could never imagine having to go through, and stay strong during, the things she did. When the book opens, Elle is moving into her own apartment because her mom’s new boyfriend can’t deal with teenagers. My heart truly went out to Elle. She was on her own. While this may seem like the biggest dream of most teenagers, once you’re living it, you realize there’s a lot more to living on your own than meets the eye. I have a great relationship with my parents, so reading about Elle’s family turmoil was especially upsetting. I could never imagine being kicked out of my home or even being able to handle living on my own at this age (sixteen). But through it all Elle stayed strong and determined. She went to school, made meals, shopped, and basically survived.

In a fit of rebellion Elle cuts her hair, the one thing her mother really loves about her daughter. Unfortunately it also makes the students at Elle’s new school immediately label her “gay” and “queer”. Taken in by the other outcasts, Elle forms a unique and sudden friendship with Shane, the Bobs, and, surprisingly, Wilbur. I really liked all of Elle’s new friends. They may not have been the best people, but they cared for each other and respected each other’s differences. Readers got to see the most of Wilbur because he was also dealing with a lot at home and really connected with Elle.

The main plot line focused on Elle’s growing relationship with her new neighbor, Frank. Frank was sweet, caring, and understood Elle better than anyone. I loved how dedicated he was to making sure Elle was okay and caring for the orphaned (and sick) cat Elle brought home from the shelter. Soon Elle discovers something that completely changes everything she knew and believed about Frank, the man she had grown to love. Frank is transgendered. Or “FTM” as Shane and the Bobs say it. I’ve never read anything about a transgendered person before, so Catherine really made me realize how hard it is for people like Frank.

Jumpstart the World was an emotional and intense novel by a fabulous young adult author. She wrote about something I’ve never really thought about before and opened my eyes to how difficult it is for transgendered people. I definitely recommend picking this up. It’s a quick read (under 200 pages) and will leave a big impression on every reader.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Introducing 2011: Christopher Grant

Christopher's debut novel, TEENIE, will be published on December 28, 2010 by Knopf Books for Young Readers.

--

1. As a male, how did you step into Teenie's shoes?

Without fail (and for obvious reasons), this is always the first question people ask when they find out that I've written from a female's perspective. I always think of John Leguizamo saying, "I don't know how I do it. I just do it."

A more acceptable answer may be that I fancy myself a good listener and have one of the best outlets to hear teenage banter. Riding the the NYC subway everyday, I "overhear" tons of dialogue that can readily be incorporated into my stories. Even when I'm unsure of where the dialogue will fit, I know when I hear something good and make sure to write it down anyway. My niece helped me a great deal as well, acting as my consultant on all things current. I choose to say current because I'm not sure if it's still cool to say cool.

2. What was the inspiration for TEENIE?

I read an article about publishers looking for men writing from a woman's perspective. I grew up in a household dominated by strong female influences (my mother and three aunts). Given my upbringing, I felt uniquely equipped to tell that kind of story. The idea forTeenie came about while I was having a discussion with an editor regarding some of my earlier work. She asked if I could write young adult fiction and the image of a fourteen year old girl just popped into my head.

3. Did you put any of yourself, or people you know, into Teenie and Cherise?

Teenie is choc-full-of my life experiences. Teenie is loosely (and I use the term loosely very loosely) based on one of my nieces. Cherise is a combination of about five girls that I had crushes on at various points of my life, the aggressive, confident young woman who always knows what's going on and what's in style. Teenie's father Beresford is a combination of my mother and three of my uncles. Her brothers are based on my older brother, who tormented me mercilessly, much as Teenie's brothers harass her.

4. It's Teenie's dream to study abroad in Spain, are you a traveler? Is there one place you really want to go?

I have only recently started traveling but enjoy it immensely. The most exotic place I've been so far is Dubai. There are too many places I want to visit to pick just one. I'm a wildlife geek so a safari in Kenya is high on the list.

5. Is there something you especially want readers of TEENIE to take away with them?

Being a first generation American, I struggled with many of the same issues that Teenie faces. It was a constant battle, trying to find the balance between the traditional customs instilled by my mother and the new "American" way of doing things. I wanted to give readers a window into that struggle, with a West Indian twist. In my humble opinion, stories centered around West Indian characters are under-represented in fiction, especially young adult. I had an absolute blast writing this book. It would be awesome if people have as much fun reading Teenie as I did writing it.

--

Thanks so much, Christopher!

Click here to visit his website!

Secondhand Charm Review

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Release date: October 12, 2010

Source: Publisher

Other books by this author: The Amaranth Enchantment

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .

Berry's debut novel garnered glowing reviews and strong sales—and now she's done it again with a beautifully woven tale to keep all readers, young and old, absolutely charmed.

Review:

Secondhand Charm was a thrilling and beautifully written sophomore novel by Julie Berry.

Evie is now one of my favorite protagonists. She is brave, determined, and has a mind of her own. I loved reading about her different trials and triumphs and my heart went out to her whenever she got caught in a rut. Her dreams are to attend the University and use her knack for healing to help people everywhere. I also loved Evie's Grandfather and Aidan, the sweet boy next door. Both of them would do anything to ensure Evie was safe and protected, but they still supported her dreams and ambitions.

Secondhand Charm was historical fiction, but it took place in a world of Berry's creation. The people, places, and sights were all of the author's own creation and I enjoyed hearing about the different places Evie visited, especially the royal kingdom.

Evie has a variety of adventures throughout the novel, and I was always on my toes. There was never a page where something new and exciting didn't occur and by the last page I didn't want it to end.

There was some magic and legend tied in. The idea of serpentinas are something I'd never encountered before and it was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the book. There was also romance. It was a charming and sweet romance that was meant to be right from the start and I enjoyed watching Evie and Aidan grow closer throughout the story. There was also some mystery and intrigue with the royal kingdom that Evie got involved in and by the last few pages I was on the edge of my seat- dying to know how things would turn out for Evie and the rest of the characters.

Overall, I definitely recommend picking this book up. It's an entertaining and unpredictable read filled with excitement, romance, and intrigue. Evie was a fantastic main character and her story was so original and always filled with adventure. I can't wait to read more by Berry, including her debut, The Amaranth Enchantment!

Overall: 4.25 out of 5 stars

She's So Dead To Us Giveaway

Giveaway Time!

I have a signed copy of She's So Dead to US to giveaway to one lucky winner!

Rules:

US Only

Ends November 7, 2010

Fill out THIS FORM to enter!

In My Mailbox (54)

For Review:

The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Elixir by Hilary Duff

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Romeo and Juliet and Vampires adapted by Claudia Gabel (second copy)

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Split Review

Split by Swati Avasthi

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Release date: March 9, 2010

Source: Publisher/Author for Blog Tour

Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret.

He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.

At least so far.

Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split—how do you begin to live again? Readers won’t be able to put this intense page-turner down.

Review:

Split was an emotional and heart wrenching debut novel. I've never read a book that focused on the victims of domestic abuse before and Split truly took me by surprise. I started it during a slow period at work and got so engrossed I didn't notice a line of customers coming in. It was an engrossing and empowering read that I will be recommending again and again.

To begin with, I was immediately drawn into Jace's story. It horrified and captivated me at the same time. To think that a father, the person you are supposed to love and trust more than anyone, would actually harm their child is terrifying. Although the novel starts after Jace has escaped home, you still get to see flashbacks and feel Jace's pain. Jace was a strong character and my heart went out to him. He didn't deserve any of the torment he experienced. The flashbacks were horrifying to experience. At first I couldn't understand why his mother didn't leave her husband right away. But as the novel progressed I realized there was much more going on and that Jace's father would stop at nothing if he realized his wife was going to escape. And on top of that he was a judge... how could Jace and his mother ever win a case against a judge? And after being in an abusive relationship for so long, it must be nearly impossibly to try and stand on your own feet. Jace was lucky he didn't lose his confidence and break like his mother. During Jace's memories, I just wanted to reach into that house and save Mrs. Witherspoon and her sons...

Split moves at a fast pace and I finished it in a couple of hours, but it still haunts me now. The characters were all well developed and defined and I know I'll remember them for a long time. Jace was a great main character and I especially liked reading the scenes that involved his brother, Christian and Christian's girlfriend. They were both terrific characters and were so good to Jace.

This novel is very hard to review... it was wonderfully written with a great main character, and at times it brought tears to my eyes. I can't recommend it enough! I am so honored to have had the chance to read this novel and I applaud Swati for writing it.

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Trade/Buy Books!

I have a ton of extra books lying around and I need to make room for some new ones. I made up a list of the books I have available. Please check it out!

FORM HERE

Find Out Friday: Jennifer Solow + Giveaway!

1. Your debut, THE BOOSTER, was an adult novel. How hard was it to switch from writing for adults to writing for kids/teenagers?

I don’t really see writing for teenagers and writing for adults as much different. I think about the character and what’s true to that character’s experience and that’s what I write about. But I guess when I write for teens (young teens) I think a little bit more about the reader’s mom – maybe because I’m a mom. I’m pretty strict about media for my kids and keep a pretty tight rein on what I think is appropriate for their age group – so I want to write for teens in a way that a parent would find not just acceptable, but inspiring for their kids to read. So, I guess it’s some balance between being a truthful writer and a responsible mom.

2. Which of the Aristobrats are you most like? Did you put parts of yourself or people you know into your characters?

I’m most like Parker – naturally. She’s the protagonist, the “eyes” through whom the story is told; so she is me to some extent. She’s outwardly confident but has a lot of deep insecurities that may not seem evident on the surface. She can have a sense of loneliness, even surrounded by her closest friends. She’s also informed by my own experiences. For instance, one day I found myself staring at my Facebook status box thinking “What is my status, really? Who am I?” It doesn’t come as a surprise that Parker did that the very next day – on the pages of our manuscript. I think Parker and I are both complicated that way: confident yet insecure, together but frazzled, on top of things yet overwhelmed, excited but nervous. Like me, all my main characters are probably Gemini!

3. If you could befriend Parker, Plum, Ikea, and Kiki with any other characters (book or movie) who would it be and why?

I think of Parker, Plum, Ikea and Kiki as teen versions of the Sex and the City characters. So I’d probably send these four and those four out on a shopping spree in Manhattan. Maybe they could go to Serendipity and have frozen hot chocolates together before a quick stop at Dylan’s Candy Bar and then top it off at Henri Bendel’s.

4. What is one song you think best suits you and your life?

Okay – so I’m truly, honestly, way cooler than this, but this is what immediately comes to mind: Let’s Go Fly a Kite: Mary Poppins.

With tuppence for paper and strings
You can have your own set of wings
With your feet on the ground
You're a bird in a flight
With your fist holding tight
To the string of your kite

I think if there’s one thing I’ve always felt it’s that I am capable of doing anything (I even believe this in the midst of great failure). Anyone, I believe, is capable of anything. I think the song is hopeful – a little reality plus a little magic plus a little hard work and all things are possible.

5. What is one place in the world you would love to travel to?

I met my husband in the ashes of the World Trade Center on 9/11. One of the promises we made to each other was that we’d help each other do all the things we’d always dreamt of doing but never had the chance or the ability. For me, one of those things was travelling. I really wanted to go to Japan and stay in a traditional Ryokan in Kyoto, which I did last year. I also had a major South of France fantasy (thanks to A Year in Provence) and I was able to visit there earlier this year. Thailand. Antibes. Hong Kong. Paris. Yes! Yes! Yes! I think the thing I would love most of all to do now is to live somewhere for an extended period of time. A year in Paris would be divine – followed by a summer in Provence! Eeek! I’m getting shivers!

But right now, I’m tucked into my own bed, head on my favorite pillow, my son next to me fiddling with his new phone, my husband in the room next on a business call, the dishwasher whirring in the darkness downstairs – this is really my favorite place to travel to…wherever this happens to be.

--

Thanks so much Jennifer!

Visit her website, http://www.jennifersolow.com/, for more info!

Also, read my review of The Aristobrats here!

--

GIVEAWAY!

I have a copy of The Aristobrats to giveaway to one lucky winner!

Rules:

US Only

Ends November 4

Fill out THIS FORM to enter!