Tag Archive | A2Z

G for Great, by Sara Benincasa (book review) – love, longing, and lies

Apr8

book cover of Great by Sara Benincasa published by Harper TeenThwarted love,
desperate love,
lies, lies, obsession, and lies…

Glitz, glamor, and money only go so far in covering secrets which don’t want to stay hidden in this nowadays retelling of The Great Gatsby.

Just published today, look for Great  in your local library or favorite independent bookstore as you roller-coaster through one summer in the Hamptons.

What classics-retold have you read lately?
**kmm

Book info:  Great / Sara Benincasa. Harper Teen, 2014.  [author site]  [publisher site]  Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk:  Naomi didn’t like summers with her baker/celebrity mom in the so-snobby Hamptons, but she never dreamed that the second-nature posing and lies of the rich teens there would move from foolish to fatal.

This summer began strangely enough when Naomi found herself helicoptering from NYC with the senator’s daughter Delilah, her boyfriend Teddy, and cute classmate Jeff. Then she discovered that mysterious Jacinta had leased the huge, fabulous house next door, planning extravagant parties which made teens clamor for invitations

Naomi did think it odd that Jacinta, whose exclusive teen fashion blog has a huge following, actually begged her for an introduction to Delilah, subject of the blogger’s fashion show photo spreads with much commentary.

Drinking and drugs, crazy driving and worse behavior – just another summer for these Hampton teens, until Teddy starts objecting to Delilah and Jacinta spending so much time together. Old secrets bubble to the surface, new secrets erupt with dire consequences, and Naomi wonders if any of them will make it to their senior year of high school unscathed.

A wry retelling of The Great Gatsby with social media, a foodie IPO, and fashion designer name-dropping thrown in for good measure. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

F is Forget Me Not, by Carolee Dean (book review) – photo goes public, is her life over?

Apr7

book cover of Forget Me Not by Carolee Dean published by Simon PulseOne photo,
two people,
future ruined.

Social media has its good side, but not for Ally when someone texts a compromising photo of her to the whole school (and it wasn’t a solo portrait).

She’s blocked out whatever landed her in H hall, a live person surrounded by the ghosts of teen suicides, so Elijah braves the haunted site to help her find the way out.

Several poetry styles (and a few screenplays) in multiple voices trace the stories of Ally, Elijah, Oscar and the ghosts from now through their painful pasts.

How far would you go to be unforgettable?
**kmm

Book info:  Forget Me Not / Carolee Dean. Simon Pulse, 2012 (paperback, 2013).  [author site]  [publisher site]  [book trailer] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Once-popular Ally just wants her classmates to forget about that scandalous photo, but someone wanted her forgotten forever.

She finds herself in “the haunted hallway” at school with the spirits of kids who died nearby, but she’s not dead – yet.

Elijah knows that if Ally can’t break through the memory wall she built after that photo went viral, she’ll be stuck on H hall forever.

He loves her too much to let that happen, even though Ally longs only for Davis, who promises to break up with Darla.

Who sent that photo?
Who went on the school roof with Ally?
Who wants her out of the picture for good?

This novel-in-verse traces Ally’s past hopes, current despair, and possible future – the choice is now hers. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

E for Margarita Engle’s novel-in-verse Mountain Dog (book review)

Apr5

book cover of Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle published by Henry Holt Books for Young ReadersDogs who fight.
Dogs who save.
People worth saving?

As frightened Tony, calm great-uncle Tio, and eager search-dog-in-training Gabe learn how to live together in the mountains, the lyrical musings of boy and dog bring us the highs and lows of life without Mom.

Read Tony’s impressions of meeting Gabe for the first time here, then visit your local library or independent bookstore to get Mountain Dog  so you can read Gabe’s all-dog responses to having a new guy to love (and to teach to scratch him in just the right place) and to roam with in the Sierra Nevada forest.

Can you hear poetry from the animals in your life?
**kmm

Book info: Mountain Dog / Margarita Engle; illustrations by Olga & Aleksey Ivanov. Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 2013. [author site]  [artists’ site]  [publisher site]  [book trailer] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Tony isn’t sure about living with his great-uncle in a mountain cabin while his mom is in jail – until the eleven year old meets new search-and-rescue dog Gabe.

As he gets used to whispering pines instead of gunshots and arguments, Tony helps Tio train Gabe to search on command and makes friends at the old country school.

Tony’s mom made dogs fight for money; her uncle Tio helps dogs rescue the lost as a volunteer. Tio escaped from Cuba and poverty; can Tony escape the barrio forever?

Maybe tail-wagging Gabe can rescue Tony from his sadness…

Alternating chapters bring reflections from Tony and from Gabe as this novel-in-verse explores choice, forgiveness, and hope. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

D is Dane & dads & other Dead Ends, by Erin Jade Lange (book review)

Apr4

book cover of Dead Ends by Erin Jade Lange published by BloomsburyNo dad – no big deal or no rest until he’s found?

If his single mom would start cashing in her winning lottery tickets instead of framing them, Dane wouldn’t be the poor kid in school, so ready with his fists.

If Billy D’s dad had stayed with his family, everything would be wonderful, believes the teen with Down syndrome.

If Dane and Billy D had listened to their friend Seely, they wouldn’t be in trouble as they hunted for Billy D’s dad – big, big trouble.

Listening to Dane explain everyday sayings to so-literal Billy D makes for some light moments in this very tense story.

When do you decide that it’s time to finally stop searching for something?
**kmm

Book info: Dead Ends / Erin Jade Lange. Bloomsbury, 2013. [author site]  [publisher site]   Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: A school-assigned partnership leads to a road trip with huge consequences for bully Dane and bullied Billy D.

If walking the new special ed kid to school will keep Dane from being expelled for fighting, he’ll do it. If showing Dane and Seely the clues in his atlas will help him find his dad again, Billy D will do it.

Dane gave up on finding his dad long ago, Seely’s two dads have taught her freedom and responsibility, and Billy D is utterly certain that his dad left those atlas clues so he can be found.

After traveling with Seely uncover more information, Billy D insists that Dane take him one more place to look for his dad… but forgets to share some vital information.

Expectations, high and low, create anxious situations for these teens and their families – will all their searching just lead to Dead Ends?  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

C is Callie, wondering Where the Stars Still Shine – by Trish Doller (book review)

Apr3

book cover of Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller published by BloomsburyKidnapped by her mom,
her new family is her real family,
how to erase a decade of lies?

After years on the run with her mom, Callie is suddenly taken to Tarpon Springs to live with her dad and his new family, plus their extended Greek family and uncomfortable truths which she can’t share (but Alex keeps worrying).

Check your favorite local library or independent bookstore to discover the rest of this tough and fragile 17 year old’s story (and meet handsome guy Alex, too).

How far should we go to keep secrets when the truth is more dangerous?
**kmm

p.s. No affiliate links *ever* on BooksYALove!

Book info:  Where the Stars Still Shine / Trish Doller. Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2013.  [author site]  [publisher site]   Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Returned to her family 12 years after being kidnapped by her mom, Callie has to learn how to love them and herself, even after what happened to her on the road.

Never started high school, so she won’t attend her mom and dad’s alma mater. Never stayed anywhere long enough to have a boyfriend, but…

Just as Callie’s getting comfortable with Dad’s family and cute Alex, Mom blows into Tarpon Springs – will her eccentric behavior always haunt the teen?  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

B is being a Little Fish, by Ramsey Beyer (book review) – art school graphic novel

Apr2

book cover of Little Fish by Ramsey Beyer published by Zest BooksSmall-town art dreams,
Big-city college realities,
Can she really make it in art school?

Opening her memorabilia box filled with journals, ‘zines, sketches and lists from freshman year of art school inspired Ramsey to tell her own story in this graphic novel of self-discovery.

What scares you about starting something new?
**kmm

Book info: Little Fish: a Memoir From a Different Kind of Year / Ramsey Beyer. Zest Books, 2013.  [author site]  [publisher site]  Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: After graduation, Ramsey is oh-so ready to leave her small Michigan town for art school in Baltimore… isn’t she?

This graphic novel uses pages from the young artist’s actual journals, lists, ‘zines, and cartoons to show how she conquered her freshman fears to make friends, explore her new city, and expand her personal and artistic horizons in this memoir chronicling ups, downs, detours, discoveries, and distractions. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

A is Americus, by MK Reed & Jonathan Hill (book review) – no ban for his favorite book!

Apr1

book cover of Americus by MK Reed, art by Jonathan Hill published by First Second Books“Fantasy books are the devil’s work!”
“Freedom to read is every American’s right!”

Neil’s freshman year won’t be the same without his best friend Danny whose ultra-religious mom banishes him to military school for reading an Apathea Ravenchilde book and stating his personal beliefs.

This graphic novel has belligerent book-banners, the same bullies from junior high, a courageous youth librarian, Neil’s intro to punk rock, and excerpts from fantasy books that readers will wish were real.

Welcome, AtoZers – got a banned book story to share?
**kmm

Book info:  Americus / written by MK Reed; art by Jonathan Hill. First Second Books, 2011. [author site]   [artist site]   [publisher site]   Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Neil misses his best friend and their mutual love for Ravenchilde books when Danny’s Bible-thumping mom sends him to military school for reading a fantasy book.

When she tries to have the series banned from their Oklahoma town’s library, the high school freshman decides to stand up against censorship and maybe even against being bullied himself in this graphic novel celebrating our freedom to read. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

TBR2014 progress + ready for AtoZ April Challenge

Mar31

I made a bit of progress on my To-Be-Recommended shelf of pre-2014 titles, highlighting these gems in March  (click each link to open my no-spoiler review in a new tab/window):

book cover of Golden by Jessi Kirby published by Simon & Schuster BFYRbook cover of Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance published by EgmontThe mystery surrounding the decade-ago disappearance of her small-town’s Golden  couple sets Parker on a quest outside her comfort zone.

Is anything really the way it appears in Southern California? The teen investigators in Spies and Prejudice  think not, but disagree on who’s right.

So far in 2014, I’ve recommended 10 of my targeted 50+ pre-2014 titles for this year’s Bookish 2014 TBR Reading Challenge.

I’ll really make TBR progress during the AtoZ April Challenge, as I blog 26 books in 26 days, starting tomorrow on an A through Z setup with 1,600+ other bloggers; most of these books are 2013s with just a few new releases thrown in.

Ready for some great reads? Stay tuned!
**kmm

A2Z Blog Challenge this year? My TBR shelf says yes!

Feb18

logo of A to Z Blog Challenge April 2014 Every spring, I agonize over whether or not to participate in the April AtoZ Blog Challenge.

Twenty-six posts in 26 days…

By no means impossible, but it sure is tough for me to get all the posts’ subjects to align with the A-through-Z daily schedule in April (we have Sundays off, thank God!).

However, my to-be-reviewed shelf of worthwhile reads is so overflowing that I  easily set aside 26 great books, each with a wee-bitty alpha tag, just waiting for April – and I still have scads more to write about in the meantime!

So yes, I’m committing myself to 26 A2Z posts in April again – third time’s a charm? See me at #785 on the AtoZ list?  (This will also help immensely with my pre-2014 books backlog as part of the Bookish blog TBR2014 Challenge)

Are you up for the Challenge too?
**kmm

TBR and A-to-Z – Reflecting on April alphabet soup!

May1

sketch of cloud with face blowing out wind April just whoooshed by, didn’t it? Suddenly it’s May 1st, BooksYALove’s second birthday!

This month, I shared twenty-six new book recommendations here, over half for books published before 2013, so I’m making progress on the TBR2012 Challenge and my overstuffed to-be-reviewed shelves, and attended the Texas Library Association annual conference in Fort Worth, where I met authors, got autographs, and received advance reader copies of upcoming titles which look amazing!

Last year was the first time I’d participated in the April A-to-Z Blog Challenge, and I really stressed out about it, trying to visit and comment intelligently on far too many participants’ blogs while squishing my recommendations into the restrictive A-on-this-day, B-on-next format (and also attending TLA with activities in every waking moment).

This year, I signed up anyway as a good way to prod myself into clearing my to-be-reviewed shelves of the great books which had just gotten passed over for even-more-wonderful books as time went along. I got a few new followers (which is one reason to do a blog challenge), and they left insightful comments (which is why you want followers), so I feel better about April A-to-Z Blog Challenge than I did last year and am likely to sign up next year to do it again (my to-be-reviewed shelves will undoubtedly refill themselves, as I read much quicker than I write recommendations).

Here are the prior-to-2013 books which I recommended in April for TBR Challenge; just click on the title to read more about it:

Fantasy/Fairy Tale:
Darkbeast – Morgan Keyes
Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses – Ron Koertge; illustrated by Andrea Dezso [in verse]

Historical fiction:
The Lost Crown – Sarah Miller
Where the Broken Heart Still Beats – Carolyn Meyer

Mystery:
Death Cloud (Young Sherlock Holmes #1) – Andrew Lane

Paranormal:
Born Wicked (Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) – Jessica Spotswood
Exile (Mercy #2) – Rebecca Lim
Radiant Days – Elizabeth Hand

Realistic Fiction:
The Candymakers – Wendy Mass
The Day Before – Lisa Schroeder [in verse]
Freaks Like Us – Susan Vaught
The Key to the Golden Firebird – Maureen Johnson
Nothing Special – Geoff Herbach
Pink Smog: Becoming Weetzie Bat – Francesca Lia Block
Surviving High School – M. Doty
Wish You Were Here – Barbara Shoup

So, I’ve recommended 44 titles for TBR2012, including those featured in January, February, and March, with some still on my shelves! Stay tuned…

Which new-to-you pre-2013 books have you enjoyed lately?
**kmm

(blowing cloud image (c) FreeClipArtNow.com)