Tag Archive | travel

J is just amazing – books & authors at Texas Library Association conference!

Apr11

letter J of Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2014What happens when 7,200 librarians, authors, publishers, and library supporters get together?

It’s book heaven!

This year’s Texas Library Association conference in San Antonio has been filled with discussions about books, authors, reading, writing, and information in our lives.

I listened to Rae Carson and Melissa de la Cruz share what they must have in order to write their bestsellers and Deb Caletti and Elizabeth Eulberg talk about writing strong characters.

Tom Angleberger taught 200+ Nerdy Book Club members how to fold an emergency Origami Yoda and dramatically read aloud the instant haikus written by folks in this huge Twitter community which celebrates reading and books (@NerdyBookClub).

We celebrated 5 years of the TLA Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, which includes several BooksYALove faves on the 2014 list (click link for my no-spoiler review of the title)  like Will & Whit,
Peanut,
Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant,
Astronaut Academy: Re-Entry,
Boxers and Saints,
Little Fish, and
Relish.

And I visited publishers large and small, seeking out the underappreciated gems in their recent and upcoming books. Lugging bags of advance reader copies back to your hotel is great exercise, you know!

The book world is just amazing! Get ready for some phenomenal reads in the months ahead!
**kmm

I is India – All My Noble Dreams and Then What Happens, by Gloria Whelan (book review)

Apr10

book cover of All My Noble Dreams and Then What Happens by Gloria Whelan published by Simon Schuster Books for Young ReadersOppressed by outsiders,
India longs for independence,
Gandhi‘s eloquence speaks for millions.

In the 1920s, British young ladies like Rosy oughtn’t concern themselves with political matters, but she believes that her beloved India deserves freedom.

Even though All My Noble Dreams  is a sequel to Whelan’s 2011 Small Acts of Amazing Courage,  you’ll easily be able to follow Rosy’s journey without reading the first book.

Find this fictional look at a tumultuous historical era at your local library or independent bookstore in 2013 hardcover or the paperback edition published on April 1st.

When do you know that it’s time to stand up for what is right?
**kmm

Book info:  All My Noble Dreams and Then What Happens / Gloria Whelan. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2013 (paperback 2014). [author site]  [publisher site]   Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Rosy thinks it most unfair that India is ruled by England, but even she is surprised at what she will risk in 1921 for its independence.

Her British Army officer father tolerates the teen’s volunteer teaching of Indian children, but forbids her listening to Gandhi’s speeches, insisting that these people cannot govern themselves.

Rosalind agrees to take a letter from the independence leaders to the Prince of Wales himself when he visits. Sneaking the Prince out of his hotel in disguise to see India beyond the jeweled ceremonies is her own idea…

How much can one British girl do to help the land she now loves?

This well-crafted sequel to Small Acts of Amazing Courage  takes readers into the years of India’s struggle for independence with vivid accuracy and great heart.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

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)

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)

The Summer of Letting Go, by Gae Polisner (book review) – missing her brother, forgiving herself?

Mar28

book cover of Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner published by Algonquin Young Readers | recommended on BooksYALove.comIf only she’d watched more carefully,
she’d still have her little brother,
still have her mother’s love…

Francesca’s crush is now dating her best friend, the beach is off-limits, Dad’s acting strange around their pretty neighbor – this summer will be terrible.

Then little Frankie Sky jumps into big Frankie’s life, and she hears her dead brother’s voice once more… coincidence??

Just published Tuesday, The Summer of Letting Go  is a handkerchief-required read with a hopeful streak.

Do you know when to let go and forgive yourself?
**kmm

Book info: The Summer of Letting Go / Gae Polisner. Algonquin Young Readers, 2014.  [author site]  [publisher site]   Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk:  When a little boy leaps into the pool, Francesca’s afraid he’ll drown just like her young brother did at the beach. But Frankie Sky is okay and says such Simon-like things that she starts researching reincarnation… anything to keep her mind off her best friend’s boyfriend (or her depressed mom or her possibly straying dad).

Is some of Simon’s soul inside Frankie Sky?

If she can explore tidal pools with Bradley as Lisette swims, if she can hear Simon’s voice again through Frankie, Francesca might return to the beach where Simon was swept away as she watched him, might find some way to move on and love herself again. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Golden, by Jessi Kirby (book review) – secrets to unravel, mystery or misfortune?

Mar24

book cover of Golden by Jessi Kirby published by Simon & Schuster BFYR“Tell me, what do you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
– Mary Oliver, The Summer Day

When live-by-the-rules Parker is reminded that last decade’s golden couple died under mysterious circumstances after their high school graduation, she decides to finally take chances and trust her instincts to find out more.

A California mystery, like Jessi Kirby’s earlier Moonglass  (my no-spoiler review here), and a road trip, like the author’s In Honor  (my review here) – what will Parker discover about Julianna and Shane…and herself?

Read an excerpt of Golden here free, then check it out at your local library or independent bookstore.

“Nothing gold can stay,” said Robert Frost, but is that always true?
**kmm

Book info: Golden / Jessi Kirby. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2013. [author site]  [publisher site]  Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: A missing girl’s senior journal inspires by-the-rules Parker to investigate a tragic mystery instead of ensuring her own scholarship dreams.

Ten years ago, Julianna and Shane’s car slid into the icy lake, and the school’s “golden couple” was declared missing.

While helping her English teacher mail that class their journals, Parker discovers that Julianna’s family left no forwarding address when they moved away after her death.

Embracing her best friend Kat’s admonition to “do something unpredictable for once” instead of working on scholarships, Parker opens the sealed envelope, reads Julianna’s hopes, and sets out to find answers to the questions there.

Wait! So good-girl Parker skips school for a road trip?
Shane’s family whitewashes the truth?
The golden couple’s love wasn’t so gleaming?

Whatever truths she finds about Shane and Julianna, Parker must also decide whether she truly shares her mother’s dreams for her future.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Flygirl, by Sherri L. Smith (book review) – flying for her country, despite prejudice

Feb21

book cover of Flygirl by Sherri L Smith published by PenguinWorld War II made Uncle Sam let women fly military planes.
Grit made women pilots endure ‘this man’s Army’ to become WASPs, flying routine Stateside runs in 1943-44.
Ida Mae dared to  ‘pass for white’ so she could fly again, in memory of her father.

While this book is fiction, the prejudices faced by “farm hick” Ida and her bunkmates “rich Jew” Lily and “carnie” Patsy the air show wing-walker were commonplace during World War II, as was the constant danger that Ida would be lynched if her not-white origins were revealed.

Training was tough; only half of WASP trainees made it to actual missions – delivering aircraft to bases, stress-testing new military planes, towing targets for artillery practice – but they weren’t recognized for their military service until 1977!

Flygirl has been out in paperback since 2010, so you should easily be able to find this riveting story at your local library or favorite independent bookstore.

How far can Ida fly and remain true to herself?
**kmm

Book info: Flygirl / Sherri L. Smith. Speak, 2010 (Penguin hardcover, 2008).  [author site]  [publisher site]  [fan-created book trailer] [author video interview] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: If passing for white will get Ida Mae back into the sky during World War II, she’ll do it – but how long can she live the lie and stay away from her family?

When the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots begin to test and transfer planes so military pilots are free for combat missions, Ida dreams of flying again, wondering if Uncle Sam is desperate enough to take black women pilots.

Light-skinned Ida applies anyway – she can use her late daddy’s flying lessons to serve her country, though she can never allow anyone to know her true roots.

One error at the WASP training base, and Ida will be sent home as a failure.
One mistaken calculation, and she could crash a much-needed training plane.
One slip-up that shows she’s not white, and the consequences could be deadly.

Test flights in unstable new planes, competition to be on a crew, bad news from overseas and from home – there really is a war on, and Ida is fighting it on more fronts than any of her fellow WASP pilots can imagine. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Relic, by Heather Terrell (book review) – frozen secrets, fiery ambition

Jan15

book cover of Relic by Heather Terrell published by Soho TeenHumanity’s remnants dwell on a single Arctic island,
shunning the technology which led to Earth’s near-destruction by flood,
purposely bound by medieval rules more rigid than the ice Ringwall protecting New North.

Eva isn’t a meek Maiden, content to embroider and to make an advantageous marriage. She can’t leave her family’s honor Quest unfulfilled following her brother’s mysterious death – she must venture into the frozen wasteland outside the Aerie as the first female Testor in generations. To prevent her from succeeding, someone is willing to do anything…

Read a selection from the prequel novella Chronicle here, then rush to get Relic at your local library or favorite independent bookstore now – you won’t want to miss a chilling moment of Eva’s quest for answers.

Is technology still our tool, or has it become our master, as the Triad claims?
**kmm

Book info: Relic (Books of Eva,  book 1) / Heather Terrell. Soho Teen, 2013. [author site]  [publisher site]  [author interview video] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: When her twin brother suddenly dies, Eva feels compelled to fulfill his Quest, despite all odds…and sabotage.

Eamon and the other Testors had long trained for the Boundary Land’s frozen challenges – discover a Relic, write its cautionary tale, earn respect in the Aerie where the words of Lex rule everything.

So Eva searches the Lex and finds a precedent which allows her to participate,
even though true Maidens know their place – at home,
even though the Triad elders grudgingly allow her to go – hoping that she fails,
even though Eva’s discovery in the ice may shatter her society’s foundation.

Their ring-walled city survived when technology’s evils doomed the world to die by flood, but can it survive the truth which Eva uncovers?  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)