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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
catie james has commented on (49) products
Claiming the Courtesan
by
Anna Campbell
catie james
, June 24, 2010
PLEASE NOTE: I was well aware of the controversy surrounding this novel when I picked it up, which was at least half the motivation for doing so. I'm torn on the rating with this one. I liked the characters - as each was deeply drawn and behaved in accordance with their respective personal histories. On the other hand, there are scenes where Kylemore crosses the line from seduction and undoubtedly rapes Verity. Please also note, I don't intend to criticize Ms. Campbell's intentions or portrayal in CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, as Kylemore *does* realize and acknowledge the extremity, violence, and utter abhorrence of his actions - not that it makes them okay. I just find myself unsettled (and perhaps that was what Ms. Campbell intended). The "forced seduction"/rape scenes were not - i.m.h.o. - arousing or titillating in any way (though - again, I don't believe they were meant to be). In general I find such depictions distasteful (at best) and am hard pressed to imagine a situation in which a rape survivor would fall in love with her attacker, regardless of circumstances. A great deal of trouble arises when simple-minded individuals allude to such works of fiction as justification of real-life actions, or "proof" of women's "true" desires. In this case though, I find Ms. Campbell's novel as deft and sensitively portrayed as it could possibly be, given the story's set-up and the genre's requirement of a HEA. (Also note: This isn't a slam against romance. I *LOVE* romance novels. All I mean is to be categorized as such, the characters must receive their HEA or at least a HFN ending. Hence my final statement.)
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Dani Noir
by
Nova Ren Suma
catie james
, June 22, 2010
I was drawn to Nova Ren Suma's debut novel DANI NOIR the moment I caught sight of its title and attention-grabbing covers. Thanks to my love of pink, polka dot tights, and noir cinema, I found a new favorite author and another great addition for the keeper shelf. Dani's having a rough summer dealing with the fallout of her parents' divorce. It's horrible watching her dad move on (and in) with his girlfriend, knowing her best has moved to a town more than an hours' drive away, and feeling so lonely she's actually starting to miss her annoying brother who's gone off to soccer camp. Dani's only solace comes when she enters the Little Art and disappears into the moody, atmospheric mysteries of noir films. There's a comfort in walking away from the theater knowing exactly who the good and bad guys are, not to mention hanging out with the projectionist and her former baby-sitter's new boyfriend, Jackson. Being left alone and not asked stupid questions like: "How are you *feeling* about your parents divorce?" is almost worth the hassle of getting past her classmate and Jackson's younger cousin, Austin. Until one day when Dani catches Jackson in a lie about a mysterious girl in pink, polka dot tights she spies leaving through the theater's fire exit. Now Dani is on the trail of a real-life puzzle, but off screen mysteries almost never wrap up as neatly as those in movies. Every character in DANI NOIR is so real, with their fallibility and raw emotions - especially Dani. I didn't always like her - at times she's bratty, even downright mean - but I understood the reasons for her behavior. Her entire world has been destroyed by the people she loves and trust more than anyone else. It's one of life's most difficult experiences and in it's the aftermath of suspicion that sets Dani on the mystery girl's trail. Nova Ren Suma transported me to Dani's world: the tedious heat small town summers; nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to see. I *was* Dani, sweating in front Taco Juan's while peering down the street towards my mother's office at newspaper headquarters, the mountains off in the distance. sun beating mercilessly on my aching head. What a relief to escape my sadness and worries in cool comfort of celluloid, where dames are glamorous, private eyes know all and problems are solved in under two hours.
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Incorrigible Children Of Ashton Place 01 The Mysterious Howling
by
Maryrose Wood
catie james
, April 21, 2010
Having graduated a year early from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, fifteen year old Penelope Lumley is off to interview for a governess position at Ashton Place. After a rushed meeting with Lady Constance, Penelope is shocked to discover three dirty, wild-haired children howling in the stables. Much to his bride of six month's consternation, Lord Ashton discovered the feral group while hunting the woods of his vast estate and decided to keep them. Now Penelope must draw upon every ounce ingenuity and skill at her disposal in order to civilize the Incorrigible trio. Successful teen author Maryrose Wood makes her middle-grade debut with a charming, lighthearted Victorian mystery featuring a heroine brimming with intelligent gumption and a supporting cast that is (respectively) endearing, humorous, fluttery, pompous, and downright vexing. By juxtaposing the historical circumstances and details with examples from contemporary life, Ms. Wood gives young readers easily identifiable touchstones for reference. All in all, a winning combo that has me eagerly anticipating the next installment.
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Rough Magic
by
Caryl Cude Mullin
catie james
, January 28, 2010
Forget everything you know about THE TEMPEST cause Caryl Cude Mullin's ROUGH MAGIC ain't your mama's Shakespeare. Born of a corrupt king and power-hungry sorceress-queen, raised in complete isolation on an island raped of it's magic Caliban - previously portrayed as a nonsensical, gibbering rapist - takes center stage. In contrast, this Caliban is a quiet, gentle soul, subject to the whims of a magic-maddened mother, angry island spirits and a pompous, self-important alchemist-king. Caryl Cude Mullin depicts not just the events of William Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST, but the origins of Caliban's mother, his childhood on the island, subsequent departure as Prospero's servant, and his final return. Spread out among multiple characters, including Prospero's granddaughter Chiara and a mysterious young girl, disguised as a boy; the expanded narrative allows for a rich, nuanced exploration that has, until now, been one-dimensional. Caryl Cude Mullin depicts the characters' plights with such sophistication and deft, it's possible to empathize with each one, even the villains. Books like this are a rare and genuine treat.
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The Drowning River (Five Star First Edition Mystery)
by
Kim Byrne
catie james
, January 27, 2010
"...I thought you were dead," are words most people don't expect to hear, least of all Elise Moloney on her first day of grad school at Wickman College on Cape Cod. Since Elise's parents never kept adoption a secret, she's shocked to discover the existence of an identical twin sister Hannah McPhee; a sister who died in a tragic accident on the Drowning River pier the day before their last birthday. At the urging her fellow dorm hall resident Parker Reilly, Elise delves into her sister's life and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death; but the deeper she digs, the more Elise suspects foul play and the further she places her own life in danger. Kim Byrne makes a strong debut with THE DROWNING RIVER by taking the cliché of identical twins separated at birth and giving readers a plausible mystery. Centered on a strong protagonist, Ms. Byrne keeps the narrative focused and moving at a brisk pace while deftly juggling multiple suspects. While there are a few moments of clunky prose, awkward transitions, and a somewhat overwrought climax, these are minor flaws that will no doubt, smooth over with time and experience. THE DROWNING RIVER is a solid, satisfying "whodunit" from a promising new author. I look forward to watching Ms. Byrne's skills and talent develop in the future.
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Faerie Path 04 Immortal Realm
by
Frewin Jones
catie james
, January 26, 2010
Title: THE IMMORTAL REALM Author: Frewin Jones Genre: Fantasy Grade level: 9+ Rating: Four stars Review: Tania thought all the threats to her beloved Faerie disappeared with the Sorcerer King of Lyonesse's death in battle; she was wrong. Life is sweet for the Faerie princess and her family at the beginning of THE IMMORTAL REALM with the enchanted wedding of daughter Cordelia to Bryn Lightfoot, but tragedy strikes when a Faerie infant quickly succumbs to a mysterious illness. Since disease and death are unheard of in this realm of immortality, suspicion immediately falls upon Tania's mortal father for attending the wedding while sick. As members of the royal family fall ill, those stricken flee to the Summer Palace of Verglad to prevent further spread of the disease. A new threat looms with arrival of Lord Aldrich of Weir, one of The Great Lords of Faerie and father to Tania's (banished) former fiancé, Gabriel Drake. He insists that Faerie's current strife lies in Tania's half-mortal taint and demands either her banishment behinds an unbreakable enchantment, or the removal of her ability to shift between worlds. This coupled with sister Cordelia falling victim to the mysterious illness spurs Tania into desperate action, putting not only herself and her family in danger, but an innocent human as well. I have to say, THE IMMORTAL REALM is the best and my favorite of The Faerie Path series so far, mostly because Tania finally breaks free of (what I've always felt is) the unrealistic "eternal" attachment to Edric and starts discovering what she's capable of as an independent young woman. The addition of a human friend from Tania's past helps ground her in the reality that she has very little "life experience," while the separation from Edric and time spent with sister Rathina contributes to her overall growth. I only wish there had been more of a resolution instead of a "to be continued," which lent to my final grade of four stars, rather than five.
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Vinyl Princess
by
Yvonne Prinz
catie james
, January 13, 2010
How does a self-proclaimed music geek with encyclopedic knowledge of vinyl's history survive in an MP3 obsessed, Billboard Top 40 world? If you're sixteen year old Allie, you spend every free moment "practically running" Bob & Bob's Records, comb the flea markets of Berkeley for classic LPs, while composing articles for your blog and zine thevinylprincess.com. Not that any of this of this means Allie's without a life - thank you very much. She spends plenty of time patronizing the bohemian eateries and coffee houses populating downtown San Francisco, hanging with best friend and vintage fashion maven Kit, and keeping an eye on her scatterbrained as she reenters the dating scene. Should Allie let her mother's personality transplant for a new boyfriend, or twenty-something stepmother Kee-Kee's pregnancy send her into a tailspin? Of course not! Who cares if Bob & Bob's owner keeps threatening to sell the store? He's been saying that for years. And why worry too much about a series of robberies plaguing businesses along Telegraph Avenue? With regulars like Allie keeping their eyes peeled for anyone suspicious, the police will catch the thieves sooner or later. So what if Allie hasn't found a boyfriend of her own? Sure she's got her eye on the mystery hottie "M" who's recently become a customer, but it's not like she expects to stumble across her musical soul mate at work...right? I *LOVE* this book with a blinding passion; everything from Allie herself, to her eccentric family and kooky coworkers, the descriptions of food, the plethora of music history and the way Yvonne Prinz infuses the city of San Francisco with so much life and vivacity, it becomes a character in and of itself. Even though I'm an iPod devotee, I got a kick out of Allie's references to MP3s and downloading as "the end of civilization as we know it." THE VINYL PRINCESS is hip, blunt, quirky and just plain fabulous - if books were people, I'd marry this one. Seriously guys, this is one you shouldn't miss.
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Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone Entomological Tales of Augustus T Percival
by
Dene Low
catie james
, January 13, 2010
All Petronella wants is for her sixteenth birthday luncheon, marking her debut in society, to be a success; but things go awry right from the start when her uncle Augustus, discovers a fondness for entomography (bug-eating). Circumstances grow steadily worse when two important guests, Dame Carruthers and Generalisimo Reyes-Cardoza (a Panamanian dignitary) are kidnapped and held for ransom. It's just plain bad luck when Petronella's fortune-hunting relatives descend in the hopes of proving Uncle Augustus an unfit guardian. With the help of best friend Jane and her delectable older brother James, Petronella is determined to foil the kidnappers nefarious schemes, thwart the affections of annoying and penniless Georgie Grimsley, and keep her money hungry relatives at bay while sussing out a cure Uncle Augustus's newly acquired appetite. PETRONELLE SAVES NEARLY EVERYONE is a delightful, Austen-esque comedy of errors in set in Victorian England with a generous helping of mystery, mischief and insects. Petronella is a clever, engaging heroine suited to her era, yet retains enough independence and gumption to appeal to modern teens.
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The Starlight Chronicles, Volume 1 [ Pale Stars in Her Eyes: The Covenant ]
by
Wolfe, Annabel and Wildes, Emma
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Meet Jerra, a beautiful and sheltered human female chosen to travel the galaxy with nothing more to do but enjoy the pleasures of three S-speices males: Ran Kartal, the superior breed's most esteemed diplomat, engineer Larik Armanda, and Colonel Ian Helm. Unfortunately this luxury comes at the price of Jerra's freedom and ability to dictate the course of her own future. Once she's done serving the trio during their mission of colonial diplomacy, she will be "farmed out" for breeding with a mate determined by the S-species ruling council. Author Annabel Wolfe crafts a sizzling array erotic interludes throughout PALE STARS IN HER EYES, the first in "The Starlight Chronicles" series. What sets each of Jerra’s encounters apart are the lush and sensual details; determined in large part by each man’s characterization, whether it’s Ran’s innate gentleness, Larik’s playful sensibilities, or Ian’s feral passion. That Jerra is quickly won over by the charms of this triad and soon falling head-over-heels for one in particular, comes as no surprise thanks to the author’s artful characterizations. Ms. Wolfe also gives readers with a searing romantic subplot between one of Jerra’s lovers and an S-species female serving onboard. This not only adds further spice with more intense love scene, but also affords the opportunity to highlight both the differences and similarities between the two races. While Jerra may be more delicate in terms of physicality, her strength of character, intellect, and strong will serve as testimony that despite the S-species belief to the contrary, humans are not an inferior breed. The plot itself feels abbreviated and a bit weak at certain points. I would have preferred a few more scenes concerning the diplomatic mission itself, as well as a first hand account of the expedition’s arrival on the colonial planet and events immediately thereafter. Barring those particulars though, Pale Stars in Her Eyes provides the reader with intense rush of lust and adrenaline.
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Jinx
by
Jennifer Estep
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Despite her lifelong aversion to superheroes and ubervillans, fashion designer Bella Belluci can’t seem to escape life amongst the masked and spandexed hordes. There’s the family legacy of motorcycle riding Johnny Angel; a tradition that began with her grandfather, led to the death of her father, and is now being carried on by her younger brother. Then Bella must deal with her own power: luck; one that has the nasty side effect of turning like a boomerang and biting her tuchus on an hourly basis. Brother Johnny’s recent engagement to Fiona Fine/Fiera means not only the addition of a superheroic sister-in-law, but regular visits from the rest of Bigtime’s most popular and powerful crime fighting quintet : the Fearless Five. As part of the committee planing a fundraiser sponsored by Friends of Bigtime Museum for Modern Art, it’s Bella’s job to see the gala event come off without a hitch. But when gorgeous superhero and notorious ladies’ man Debonair breaks in to millionaire Brighton Berkley’s sprawling estate, stealing a priceless painting, right in front of Bella’s eyes, museum security goes on high alert. Especially since Berkley refuses to remove his priceless gem, the Star Sapphire from the show. Fighting an attraction Debonair should be easy. After all, he’s everything Bella hates: a wanton, villainous art thief. So why does her catch every time he’s nearby? Perhaps like Bella, there’s more to Debonair than meets the eye... The same sense of whimsical plotting, concise pacing, and charming character quirks that made Jennifer Estep’s first two Bigtime novel so enjoyable, is just as dazzling in the third. Bella may possess the financial resources most readers only dream about, but her JINX--be it frizzing Bella’s hair, or causing meals to explode over the most chic outfits--and her genuine love for family and friends, provides a heroine with whom most any woman can relate. Debonair is a sweep-you-off-your feet hero, (especially once his alter-ego becomes evident), and a perfect match for anti-superhero/ubervillan sensibilities. JINX is a witty, tender, laugh-out-loud, must read.
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Harlequin Romance #4037: The Desert Prince's Proposal
by
Nicola Marsh
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Nicola Marsh gives readers a modern day spin on the traditional fairy tale of a handsome prince sweeping the “common” girl off her feet in The Desert Prince’s Proposal, only this time our heroine is a die hard workaholic born to one of the richest and best known businessmen in Australia. From the beginning Ms. Marsh clearly established the relationship between Bria Green and Prince Samman “Sam” al Wali as a match between two equals. While Sam boasted the typical self-assuredness of many an alpha male, Marsh is careful to balance this with a quiet, introspective quality which I found rare and refreshing. While Bria measures up in terms of intelligence, skill, and independence, I found myself repeatedly annoyed by her staunch refusal to accept even the possibility that a man could be both powerful and sensitive. At times I had difficulty suspending my disbelief with regards to certain plot devices; especially the principality of Adhara being located in the center of the middle-east, yet boasting none of the region’s coveted natural resources, or political turmoil. Overlooking the unbelievability of premise and successive events though, The Desert Prince’s Proposal deftly provides several hours of pleasant escape.
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Any Given Doomsday Phoenix Chronicles 01
by
Lori Handeland
catie james
, January 13, 2010
While I own every title in the Nightcreature series, this is my first Lori Handeland read and taken as a whole, I was not disappointed with my advance reader copy from St. Martin's Press. Ms. Handeland delves into a complex showdown between good and evil with the first in her Phoenix Chronicles series, giving fresh new twists to a wide range of familiar myths and faiths. Many recent paranormal novels have tried (and often failed) to combine multiple legends/pantheons/systems of belief, but Ms. Handeland deftly escapes this minefield by keeping the "how" and "why" simple. Liz Phoenix is a character who's strength was forged during a brutal childhood, yet still possesses plenty of emotional vulnerability and distinct lack of supernatural prowess that makes her more accessible than some of her more endowed counterparts. A background in police work give her only so many advantages, and told in the first person narrative lets us feel like we're right there with Liz, learning as she goes. As for the romance: prepare to be singed. The chemistry Liz and her tall, dark, mysterious men (Sawyer and Jimmy Sanducci) is magical. To say anything else would be depriving you guys the pleasure of discovering that heat yourselves. Despite losing steam during the last fifty pages and a climax that wasn't explosive as its lead-in, Ms. Handeland maintains a forward-charging narrative with compelling characters and unexpected plot twists. If you like paranormals, Any Given Doomsday is definitely worth checking out.
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I Want Candy
by
Kim Wong Keltner
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Don't let the cover's pink, white, and red color scheme, or chicklit-ish title fool you. Kim Wong Keltner's I WANT CANDY is not some lighthearted, nostalgic ode to life as a teen in the '80s. Keltner explores life as experienced by fourteen year old Candace, who wants more from life than what the lager culture deems appropriate for someone of Chinese descent. Candace knows the odds of her dream boyfriend, Rick Ocasek from The Cars driving up next to her as she walks the streets of San Francisco may be slim to none. That doesn't stop her from squirreling away every penny she earns and dreaming of the day when she will be more than the Egg roll Girl in the Chinese restaurant run by her family. Candace plays sidekick to "hot" girl Ruby (the only other Chinese girl in attendance at Candace's private Catholic school), serves as class treasurer, and harboring feelings of general misanthropy, all the while waiting for her life to begin. But when things actually start happening, Candace faces startling truths about herself, her family, and her heritage she never even imagined. Candace isn't necessarily the most likable character and I spent a great deal of this novel fairly appalled by her behavior, but the contrasts of Candace's personality ring true. Throughout her journey Candace remains a compelling force, driving the reader to follow her story to it's unexpected conclusion. Kim Wong Keltner's weaves underlying themes related to the history of Chinese women in San Francisco, the cultural gap between immigrants and the Americanized offspring, and the contrast of values between the various worlds in which Candace moves, into the larger narrative. I was especially pleased by the author's repeated denunciation of the cultural mindset fetishizing and objectifying Asian girls and women. If you're looking for a novel to churn the gears of your mind, I WANT CANDY is definitely one to check out.
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Unlikely Friendship A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln & Elizabeth Keckley
by
Ann Rinaldi
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley met in 1861 when Ms. Keckley, "a free black woman who had purchased her own freedom" came to the White House to interview for the position as the First Lady's dressmaker. Despite being her success among Washington D.C.'s elite, "Lizzie" never believed she had a real chance at securing the position. Little did she realize that she and Mrs. Lincoln were about to embark on a friendship that would last a lifetime. AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP is a unique breed of historical fiction in that doesn't follow a traditional linear model of story telling. Author Ann Rinaldy opens by depicting the day of President Lincoln's assassination, giving us the story from both Lizzie and Mary's perspectives throughout. She then moves on to depict each woman's life from early childhood to young adult hood, each followed by non fictional, mini-biographies of their lives up to the point of their initial meeting. Ms. Rinaldy closes the novel with a final section describing the women's' lives and friendship after they left the White House. What makes this novel such a great read is the author's careful attention to historical detail. While it's impossible to be certain of Lizzie and Mary's exact conversations and thoughts, knowing the events described have been verified--not "created" or amalgamated for editorial purposes--gives AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP a level of authenticity sorely lacking in most books in this genre. And while I consider characterizing the relationship between white woman of privilege and a mulatto woman born into slavery during the Antebellum period a generous overstatement, these two women undoubtedly formed a bond that was unique to their time and place in history--a feat always worthy of consideration.
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Triskellion
by
Will Peterson
catie james
, January 13, 2010
In the midst of the parents' ugly divorce, fourteen year old twins Adam and Rachel Newman are sent to their mother's home village in Great Britain to stay with their grandmother, but Triskellion proves to be no safe harbor amidst the storm. From the moment of their arrival the twins are treated with suspicion and hostility, with every building in town marked by a strange "symbol of three intersecting crescents forming a continuous pointed clover leaf, bound by a large circle." It is from this symbol (a triskellion) that the village takes its name. Essentially cut off from civilization with no telephone, internet and hardly any television, the village's deepens further after the pair meets Gabriel - a boy their age who seems to vanish at will. When a communiqué of the local beekeeper shines thrusts the isolated hamlet into the spotlight, Adam and Rachel discover there's more than a town's secret at stake as their entire world is rocked to its foundation. Rough opinion: Will Peterson makes his young adult debut with a page-turning, nail-biting, two-for-one special. Part paranormal, part mystery, TRISKELLION is unlike any other book in its genre. Peterson explores legends of the past, the psychic connection between twins, archaeology, and prophecy in one fell swoop. While I still don't understand the significance of the bees, or how they're tied to certain characters' psychic abilities, and I was somewhat disappointed to find more questions than answers at the end, TRISKELLION kept me up for three nights straight, desperate to find out what happened. Good thing there's a sequel.
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What If 03 What If You Broke All The Rules
by
Liz Ruckdeschel
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Have you ever wished the characters in your favorite novels made different choices? Should Haley spend a quiet New Year's Eve with the artistically inclined Devon, Shaun, and Irene, or hit Rich Haber's booze-soaked blowout attended by the cutie next-door Reese Highland? How and where should she spend spring break? Would you have her stay in town for a screening of her school art project? Or should she make nice with and (possibly) change the lives of the fallen-from-grace and currently troubled QueenBees Coco and Whitney? Maybe you'd rather she get friendly with the neo-cool regime of Sasha, John, Cecily, Drew and Reese by jetting to Paris. Or would you fly her to Spain alongside the school's premier brainiac couple Annie, Dean, and heart throb exchange student Sebastian Bodega? WHAT IF...YOU BROKE ALL THE RULES is an easy-breezy beach read that allows readers to dictate the novels final outcome. Sure there's not a lot of complication, or in-depth drama, but sometimes you just want to kick back, let your brain take a break, and enjoy the ride. Plus the additional benefit of being able to retrace your steps and chose a different path should you find yourself dissatisfied with the outcome.
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Ingo 03 Deep
by
Helen Dunmore
catie james
, January 13, 2010
New troubles loom for Saffy, her brother Connor, and their friend Faro, not just because the Kraken - an ancient monster of the deep - has threatened to destroy Ingo unless the Mer give it over their young. A new danger is rising, with aspiring leader Ervys gaining strength by encouraging prejudice those who aren't full-blooded Mer. Faro's mentor, Saldowr, believes the people of Ingo have another option in Saffy, who entered the deep and managed to survive - an impossible feat all but a handful of the ocean's inhabitants. He presents Saffy with the monumental task of returning to fight and defeat the kraken. Despite the brewing tensions between Ingo and Air, Saffy and Connor agree to help, on the condition that they're allowed to see their father (who traded life as a human to become Mer) upon their return. Armed only with Granny Karne's rowan seeds and Saldowr's magical mirror, Saffy, Connor, and Faro embark on a perilous journey inside the mouth of a whale. While it's easy enough to dive right into THE DEEP without reading the first two books in Helen Dunmore's Ingo series, I highly recommend all of them. I was so eager to follow the events of Saffy's life and discover the source of her family's connection to the sea, I gobbled up these books up in a matter of days. THE DEEP is a page-flipping installment which takes the three main characters to the edge of an unknown world, forcing them to confront their deepest fears against a treacherous enemy.
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Crushes
by
Pamela Wells
catie james
, January 13, 2010
After cementing their lifelong friendship with The Breakup Code, Alexia Alexia, Kelly, Raven, and Sydney are heading into the summer before their senior year. Between Raven's depression over the four week loss of her boyfriend Horace to the city of Detroit, Sydney fulfilling volunteer obligations at the local hospital and vowing to make the second round of her relationship with Drew work, not to mention Alexia being in love for the first time in her life, the former can't help but worry that she and her friends might be drifting apart. When Alexia spots Kelly's hot new kickboxing instructor she sees the perfect solution to both her concerns and Kelly's state of single hood: The Crush Code. Thirty-eight rules guaranteed to nab the guy of their dreams. Pretty soon all four girls are trying out the code--Sydney on fellow volunteer Quinn, Raven on her new neighbor Blake, and Kelly on her instructor Adam; but the code can't distract Kelly from the boy she really likes. The one boy in the world she can never have... It's been a long time since I read a book that made me cry, but Pamela Wells does such an incredible job portraying the roller coaster ride of emotions that come with young love. Whether reading about Alexia's uncertainty about losing her virginity to Ben, Raven's desire to remain faithful to the boy she loves while feeling intensely attracted to someone else, the thrill of new flirtations, or the pain of ultimate betrayal, I was transported into the emotions of each characters' journey. THE CRUSHES is an excellent, heartfelt novel about friendship, first love, and surviving the difficulties life throws your way.
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Snared Wicked Dead
by
Stefan Petrucha
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Who says you have to wait until October to get your scare on? The four storytelling girls of Lockwood Orphanage are back for another night of bone rolling and spine-tingling tales in the second book of the Wicked Dead series, SNARED. SNARED follows the adventures of sixteen year old Lindsay as she's dragged on a family vacation to Redlands Beach by her parents. It's there she meets the mysterious hottie next door named Mark and his ultra-strict "guardians," Doug and Jack. Mesmerized by his good looks and horrified by prison-like living conditions, Lindsay vows to help Mark escape. Someone forgot to tell her, no good deed goes unpunished... SNARED is exactly the kind of book I would have read as a teen. It's a great, one-sitting, light-gore horror novel that serves one purpose: entertainment. Anyone looking for greater truths or deeper meaning should probably skip this one, but if you want a night of "campfire" horror fare, this is a must read.
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Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia
by
Cindy Pon
catie james
, January 13, 2010
From the beginning, Ai Ling has lived life differently from most young women in Xia. Born of parents who married for love, she is a cherished only child in a society that prizes sons, educated by her scholarly father and as she comes of age, the ability to sense the thoughts of those around her. When her father is called to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams expecting to be away no longer than two months, he leave his daughter with two things: a green jade pendant carved with the character "spirit" and the reminder that she is special beyond the belief held by a doting father. Women traveling alone is a dangerous undertaking, but more than three months pass and an opportunistic merchant tries to force her into an unwanted marriage, Ai Ling knows she must journey to the Palace herself and bring her father home. Attack by an unknown, dark force brings rescue and a traveling companion in the form of nineteen year old Chen Yong, a young man also searching for his father. It is only after another attack, the counsel of Master Tan, and a glimpse at The Book of The Dead, that Ai Ling truly begins to grasp the enormity of her power and the menace she faces. Joined by Chen Wong's brother, outrageously flirtatious Li Rong, the three teenagers embark on a pilgrimage that will lead to the gods themselves...and eventually confrontation with an evil sorcerer Ai Ling has (unknowingly) faced before. Where do I start with all the things I love about Cindy Pon's debut fantasy SILVER PHOENIX? Finally a novel based on Chinese legends and myth rather than the same, tired rehash of Celtic and other western European folklore. I relished Ms. Pon's vividly rendered portraits of both Ai Ling's normal and paranormal "worlds," from the quiet tranquility of her family's home, to the lush splendor of the Golden Palace, or the frightening grotesqueness of The Chief and The Anatomist. Ms. Pon is exhibits a deft ability in characterization, giving us multidimensional humans, appropriately removed deities, and viscously single-minded evil entities. Even Zhong Ye boasts enough shading and nuance to become more than the stereotypical archvillan. Ai Ling is a compelling protagonist and though some might say it's unusual for a young woman in her position to so easily overstep society's boundaries (even to save a beloved parent), Ms. Pon has already established that Ai Ling is unaccustomed to those restraints. My only complaint in this area is while Chong Ye is clearly the odd on favorite for Ai Ling's romantic interest, he falls flat in the presence of Li Rong's flare and charm. And while the continued reference to characters packing and unloading their knapsacks (did knapsacks even exist in ancient China?) kept jarring me out of the story, I loved everything about SILVER PHOENIX. This is one of those rare books that has made my "keeper" shelf.
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Skulduggery Pleasant Playing With Fire
by
Derek Landy
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Stephanie Edgely never could have predicted the death of her beloved Uncle Gordon would lead to her rebirth as Valkyrie Cain, magical apprentice to the world famous skeleton detective Skulduggery Pleasant. Instead of attending school, doing homework, and spending time with her family like other thirteen year old girls, Valkyrie sends her reflection to carry out the mundane duties of every day life, while she prowls the streets of Dublin with Skulduggery, honing her abilities and hunting down down villains by order of The Elders back at Sanctuary. Skulduggery harbors suspicions about head and (presently) sole council member Thurid Guild, suspicions that only increase when one of the Malevolent's most fanatical, intelligent, and powerful general, Baron Vengeous escapes from his secretly located prison. Aided by the vampire Dusk and razor-blade wielding, U.S. import Billy-Ray Sanguine, Vengeous plans to complete as mission Lord Vile set in motion years ago. With the help of China Sorrows and Tanith Low, Skulduggery and Valkyrie must put together the various pieces of the Baron's plot before he resurrects the Grotesquery (a monster assembled from the most fearsome beasts of legend) and brings the Faceless Ones back to life. PLAYING WITH FIRE is a swiftly paced novel that delivers adventure and suspense without sacrificing character and relationship development. The relationships between Valkyrie and her mentors have deepened in this second novel, yet we also see a distance being created from her family and old life. Readers will be satisfied with the novel's plot wrap up, yet still hunger for the next installment thanks to Derek Landy's overarching hints and teases of a much larger conspiracy. To sum up, PLAYING WITH FIRE is a clever, snarky, satisfying read.
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by
Sherman Alexie
catie james
, January 13, 2010
I'll admit--I put off reading THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN for well over a year in favor of more "exciting" books and boy, what a mistake I made! Told from the perspective of thirteen year old Arnold Spirit, an intelligent, observant, sarcastic Indian born with encephalitis and a love of cartooning, Sherman Alexie takes with as he moves away from a circumscribed, oppressive life on the Spokane reservation towards a more promising future by attending an all-white school thirty miles away. Never one to get bogged down in sentiment or self-pity, Mr. Alexie refuses to present Arnold's friends and family as one-dimensional stereotypes, nor is the world beyond "rez" borders portrayed as the Great White Hope. Arnold's family has problems, to be sure: an alcoholic father, an enabling, codependent mother, a near shut-in older sister; but their love for each other is evident through their words and actions. And despite the ostracism and ridicule heaped upon him by former friends and other tribe members, Arnold reacts with biting wit rather than total despair. This has to be one of the best books I've ever read in my life, so I hope everyone gives it a try.
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Out Of The Shadows
by
Sarah Singleton
catie james
, January 13, 2010
While tending to the saint's shrine in the woods near her house one November day, thirteen year old Elizabeth Dyer comes across a Green Girl. Isabella Leland's bones have been at rest in the human world for the past three hundred years, while the rest of her has lived among the Crow People. The world in which she wakes is very different from the one Isabelle once knew. A Protestant queen now resides on the throne and practitioners of Catholicism like Elizabeth and her family have been forced in practicing their faith in shadow, lest they be forced to jailed or worse. The stakes are raised when Elizabeth's older brother secrets an exiled priest from Oxford into the Dyer home for safekeeping. With Queen Elizabeth's priest-hunting spy (Kit Merrivale) hovering about the estate of Spirit Hill where Elizabeth serves the Lady Catherine Melibourne, returning home to aide her family becomes impossible. Elizabeth has no choice but to ask for help from mysterious Isabelle, who has ventured beyond the forest in search of her new friend. Both girls must reach out to overcome the threats and fears inherent to life as outsiders, if they want to survive this ordeal. I thoroughly enjoyed OUT OF THE SHADOWS. Sarah Singleton seamlessly mixes folklore, history, and theology without once sacrificing character or plot development. Ms. Singleton gives the perfect amount of detail in all three subjects so we're never overwhelmed by too much information; and while the greater themes of acceptance, worlds of larger possibilities, life as an individual on the fringes of acceptable society, and trust resonate throughout the text, the heart of this novel is a friendship between its two young girls and the loneliness it fills.
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Just One Wish
by
Janette Rallison
catie james
, January 13, 2010
With an uncanny ability for reading other people and the force of a charming personality, seventeen year old Annika Truman is used to getting her way. Heading out to the day after Thanksgiving sales, Annika wants nothing more than to return home with a Talking Teen Robin Hood for her cancer-stricken little brother, Jeremy. But the six year old throws her a curve-ball when he reveals that his heart's desire is for the "real" Teen Robin Hood from the shows they watch on television, to pay him a visit. Determined to give her little brother his wish, Annika hits the internet looking for a way to contact the show's nineteen year old star, Steve Raleigh. When the traditional methods fail, Annika drives from Nevada to Burbank, California where The Adventures of Teen Robin Hood is filmed. With her best friend Madison in tow, the girls hatch a plan they hope will convince the young star help Annika grant Jeremy's wish. The idea of two young girls successfully sneaking onto a high-profile studio lot requires serious reader suspension of disbelief, no doubt. Through the strength of Annika's characterization and the loving relationship she shared with Jeremy though, Ms. Rallison gives the reader a chance to abandon the cynicism of reality in favor of a world where wishes really can come true.
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Beneath My Mother's Feet
by
Amjed Qamar
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Which path should you take when faced with the choice between your own dreams and the needs of the people you love most? That is precisely the dilemma facing Amjed Qamar's fourteen year old protagonist, Nazi, in her debut novel, BENEATH MY MOTHER'S FEET. When her father is injured on the job, Nazia's world is thrown into chaos when she must quit school to help her mother clean houses in order to earn a living for her family. As Nazia is forced to deal ever-increasing burdens, leading her to question beliefs she once accepted as absolute and confront an unknown future that previously seemed so certain. The best stories are those with universal themes to which anyone can relate, with enough unique details and fresh perspectives to keep the reader's interest, and Qamar does this with an expert's grace. Her writing is spare and elegant, giving readers an insider's view to daily life in modern-day Pakistan. The characters are like any flesh and blood human being--loving, devoted, but not without their flaws; and anyone looking for a young female lead boasting a driving force beyond boys, designer labels, or social status will be thrilled with Qamar's central character. BENEATH MY MOTHER'S FEET is a spectacular, thought-provoking work of fiction that will stay with the reader long after the story's end.
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Nightmare Academy 02 Monster Madness
by
Dean Lorey
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Charlie Benjamin and his friends are back in Dean Lorey's MONSTER MADNESS: NIGHTMARE ACADEMY, BOOK 2. Unfortunately so are Level 5 Nethercreatures Verminion and Barakkas as they continue their quest to bring the remaining named (Slagguron and Tyrannus) out of the Nether and into the human world by weakening (and ultimately killing) the Guardian to a gateway between worlds. It's up to newly upgraded Addeys Charlie, Theodore, Violet, Leet Facilitator Brooke, and Professor Pinch to venture inside the fourth ring of the Nether in search of a cure. Enemies don't always come in giant, scary packages though. Sometimes they work inside the very agencies for which we fight and sometimes an enemy is the person standing right by your side... MONSTER MADNESS is a great book to younger readers suffering Harry Potter withdrawals. While the characters might not be quite complex enough for older teens, Charlie and company are an engaging trio full of bravery and gusto. Lorey's background screen writing translates to steady pacing and key descriptions that allow you to easily picture scenes as they unfold in novel form. So grab your hot chocolate, a warm blanket, settle into a cozy chair and enjoy an afternoon or two in Charlie's world.
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Legend Of Mickey Tussler
by
Frank Nappi
catie james
, January 13, 2010
When his car breaks down in during a routing scouting trip, Milwaukee Brewer's coach Arthur Murphy never expected to stumble upon an autistic, seventeen year old pitching phoneme. Nor could "Murph" have imagined that introducing young Mickey Tussler to the world of minor league baseball would spur his losing team into a heated race for the playoffs the Brewer's number one rival, the Spokane Rangers. Despite his team's drive to glory though, Mickey remains an outsider; a fragile soul, locked inside a world that most people can't even recognize, let alone understand. What price will Mickey have to pay in order to become a legend? THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER is an intense, complex, nuanced study of the post-WWII minor league microcosm. Frank Nappi does an excellent job delving inside his characters' heads whether he's detailing Murphy's desolation, star pitcher George "Lefty" Rogers' arrogant bravado, catcher Raymond "Boxcar" Danvers' stoic endurance, or the unspeakable affliction and difficulty an autistic youth like Mickey must have faced. A steadily paced, first-rate work of fiction, whether you're a baseball lover or not--this is a novel you can't pass up.
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The Lost Queen
by
Frewin Jones
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Princess Tania and her true love Edric have returned from the Faerie Realm to find the missing queen Titania, but first must face Tania's mortal parents and the consequences of their three day absence. Forbidden from seeing Edric outside of school and play rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet, they prowl the streets of London seeking clues to her long lost mother's whereabouts. The threat of Tania's former betrothed haunts her nightmares, a pervading sense of unease plagues those she left behind in Faerie, and the shadows of her previous mortal lives begins to intrude regularly on every day life. In a race against the clock, Tania and Edric may soon find their time has run out. With a clever of details from classic English literature (i.e., a key character's business being located on Spenser Street--no doubt an allusion to Edmund Spenser, author of The Faerie Queene), mirroring the central romance of famed star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, and drawing from a variety of mythologies, Frewin Jones weaves a tale that draws the reader in and jumps off the page. THE LOST QUEEN is all at one sparkling and enchanting, yet darkly addictive. A great follow-up to THE FAERIE PATH that will definitely leave readers craving more.
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Avatars 03 Kingdom Of Twilight
by
Tui T Sutherland
catie james
, January 13, 2010
The world as they knew it began disintegrating the moment they disappeared on December 21st 2012. Dropped into a post-apocalyptic aftermath eighty-five years Diana, Gus, Kali, and Tigre have banded together to find a way out of this nightmare created by the gods in their quest to make one from their own pantheon the ultimate ruler. Time is against them as they sail to Africa--the only place safely beyond the gods' reach. Diana's body hovers on the brink of death, while her soul wanders a vast array of underworlds, full of ruthless and cunning deities, as she tries to make her way back to her friends. Consulting African gods leads to divergent courses for the other three avatars. As Gus fights consumption by the war god forced inside his body and enters the underworld to lead Diana out himself, Kali and Gus team up with the goddess Oya to find Eshu--a crossroads god who may solve the riddle of hows and whys of their entire lives. I want to give this book a Gold Star. Tui T. Sutherland has created an amazing, detailed, well-researched world that includes pantheons across the globe; fully developed, relatable, fallible characters who make the reader care; and an engrossing, fast-paced plot that kept me frantically flipping the pages just so I could find out what happened next. (I also give her bonus points for extending her own story far beyond one rooted in Celtic/Greco-Roman/western European mythology and folklore). As a general rule books comprising a trilogy should be capable of standing on their own, but also complete whatever story arcs are established in previous volumes. KINGDOM OF TWILIGHT is a superb book when taken as part of the Avatars trilogy. Having not read the first and second installments I found myself somewhat lost throughout the reading, especially with references to characters, circumstances, and events not making an appearance in this book. Taken as a stand alone KINGDOM OF TWILIGHT leaves a little to be desired. My advice is to check out SO THIS IS HOW IT ENDS and SHADOW FALLING first to get the fullest possible enjoyment from, because this trio is definitely worth the time.
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Julia Gillian 01 & The Art Of Knowing
by
Alison Mcghee
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Julia Gillian is quite accomplished for a nine year old. Thus far she's mastered the art of making papier-mâché masks, spreading her gum evenly across her teeth, and knowing exactly what her dog Bigfoot is saying even though he doesn't speak "human." Though she hasn't yet conquered the claw machine at Bryant Hardware by grabbing the stuffed meerkat, Julia keeps her skills sharp by every Friday and Sunday afternoons during her walks around the neighborhood with Bigfoot. By far and away though, Julia Gillian's greatest skill is the art of knowing. For instance: she knows what her mother's making for breakfast before entering the kitchen, she knows the news paper is full of nothing but bad news, and thirty-six pages into her new green book from Quinn Booksellers, she *knows* the story isn't going to end well. Set in Minneapolis, JANA GILLIAN (AND THE ART OF KNOWING) is a down-to-earth story featuring a precocious young girl's struggle figuring out how to deal with the unsettling realities life (sometimes) presents. A few people might object to Julia's lack of summertime playmates, especially living in a large city; having grown up only child though, I can attest to the challenges of ferreting out peers. Alison McGhee gives children an intelligent and determined central character dealing with relatable problems in an honest, straightforward narrative. I'm definitely setting this one aside to pass on to my nieces.
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The Hunger Games: Hunger Games 1
by
Suzanne Collins
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Twenty-four children: twelve boys, twelve girls; tributes selected by random lottery every year and sent to the capitol city of Panem to compete in a brutal, bloodthirsty fight for survival, with the last participant standing declared champion. Welcome the the Hunger Games, a grim reminder to those living in the twelve districts comprising what was once the United States, of their place as virtual slave to the gleaming Capitol at their center. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen is this years female representative for District 12, having volunteered to take her younger sister Prim's place. Sent to the arena with the baker's son and classmate, Peeta Mellark--a boy who, several years prior, saved Kat and her family from the ravages of starvation after her father's death in a coal mining accident--neither competitor from the final district seem to be contenders. But Peeta's good nature and Kat's small stature belie the former's cunning intelligence and the latter's experience as a hunter; while a revelation from Peeta during the introductory ceremonies sends Katniss into the first day of competition more than a little off-kilter. The stage is set, the tributes have arrived, and the cameras are watching...let the games begin. It is no exaggeration to call THE HUNGER GAMES a pulse-pounding, page-turner. Collins grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go. While Katniss isn't always a the most likable character (in fact, there were plenty of times I much preferred the affable Peeta, or even sweet, birdlike little Ruth), she is always compelling thanks to her rational approach to every challenge and dogged determination. While HUNGER GAMES is a plot driven novel, the characters and their relationships are the heart of the story. Ms. Collins has created a dystopian tale of Orwellian caliber for young adults, giving any reader plenty to churn their minds between now and the next installment of this trilogy. My only complaint is having to wait.
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Grand Theft Childhood The Surprising Truth about Violent Video Games & What Parents Can Do
by
Lawrence Kutner
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Violent, sexually explicit video games are corrupting today's youth! Our children are becoming desensitized, isolated, warmongering zombies and we need look no further than the game box for inciting influences behind such incidents as Columbine, Paducah, and Virginia Tech. Today's children are more aggressive, sexually active at younger ages, and foul-mouthed than ever before thanks to the rampant societal disintegration promoted in games like Grand Theft Auto, Vice City, and S.W.A.T. Well...not exactly. According to GRAND THEFT CHILDHOOD co-authors and social scientists, Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl K. Olsen, there aren't enough up-to-date, clearly defined studies to make any determinations about the effects of graphic video games on children's behavior. Most data cited by public officials, watchdog organizations, and the media is at best inaccurate supposition which fans the flame of societal panic and ultimately diverts attention from the real issues. Kutner and Olsen give a thorough context to their study, laying out the details, methods of investigation, inherent shortcomings, and need for further research, all in an informative, straightforward manner. The information can be a little dense to slog through at times, with the authors packing quite a bit of information into one book. (Everything from a brief history regarding previous research studies--or rather, lack thereof; the attributes and flaws of the game industry's current rating system, to in-depth recounting of their own study's results). That being said, I am the first person to jump ship when it comes to dry recitations of scientific data, but not once did I consider abandoning GRAND THEFT CHILDHOOD. I found it an invaluable, thought-provoking, treasure trove of information which any concerned parent or gaming teen would do well to read.
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Vampire Academy 02 Frostbite
by
Richelle Mead
catie james
, January 13, 2010
For Rose Hathaway, life as a Guardian-in-training at St. Vladimir's Academy is never easy. While her best friend, future charge, and sole remaining member of the royal family member (Lissa) may no longer be in direct danger, the Strigoi (those vampires who drink blood, possess super-strength, red pupils, and have no qualms about using their powers over the elements as a method of attack) are still the greatest threat facing their Moroi counterparts. Rose and her number one crush, instructor Dimitri Belakov discover just how significant this threat is when they arrive at what should have been Rose's make-up Qualifier exam with famed Guardian Arthur Schoenberg. What they find instead is seven royal Moroi, massacred in their own home along with their Guardians and evidence that the Strigoi are now being helped by humans. With Christmas vacation drawing near, St. Vlad's is on high alert and not terribly inclined to unleash their students into the great wide world. A school field trip to an exclusive Moroi ski lodge is the perfect solution, not just for a Moroi seeking to elude the Strigoi, but also for Rose, who's looking to escape two recent female campus arrivals--one of whom has a history and penchant for flirting with Dimitri. What guests from St. Vlad's and elsewhere will soon realize though--is their enemies are much closer than they think. FROSTBITE is an engrossing, complex paranormal drama with a page-turning plot and deeply layered characters, whose growth and development over the course of the novel believable and (in some cases) inevitable. Though there were a few scenes that lagged, I had a hard time putting this book down even for necessities like eating and sleeping.
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Flora 02 Floras Dare How a Girl of Spirit Gambles All to Expand Her Vocabulary Confront a Bouncing Boy Terror & Try to Save Califa from
by
Ysabeau S Wilce
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Flora Fydraaca is one busy young lady. Between her search for a Gramatica instructor, dealing with the fallout of her best friend Udo’s moneymaking schemes in the bounty-hunting biz, elder sister Idden’s desertion from Califa’s military, discovering and thwarting the source of a series of deadly earthquakes threatening the city, a freshly sober and keenly aware father, a burgeoning crush on Califa’s greatest living magickal adept and old Fydraaca family enemy Lord Axacaya, tentacles accosting her in public bathrooms, family secrets, assassination attempts, and inadequate sartorial resources--it’s a wonder the girl has time to breathe. At least this time around, Crackpot Manor’s one and only accessible potty is up and running... There is so much going on in FLORA’S DARE that it’s by no means an overstatement to call the book a fantasy fiction lover’s treasure trove. Author Ysabeau S. Wilce has done a remarkable job creating and populating Flora’s world with multiple, complex plots and subplots, and plenty of intriguing back story to keep readers coming back for more. I deeply appreciated the level of sophistication author Ysabeau S. Wilce has invested in the creation of Flora’s world. She easily juggles multiple, complex plot threads without causing any confusion to the reader. By building the back story of Flora’s friends, family, adversaries, ahd the heroine herself into the narrative, Ms. Wilce has created a series that will sustain itself over a number of books, striking the perfect balance between a compelling story and characters that are quirky,yet deeply flawed.
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Camille Mcphee Fell Under The Bus
by
Kristen Tracy
catie james
, January 13, 2010
Camille McPhee Has a lot to deal with: the constant threat of low blood sugar; her health freak, home/self-improvement obsessed mom's mid-life crisis; best friend Sally Zook's relocation to Japan, science classes that are too advanced for fifth grade; and a pair of bullies responsible for her recent fall under the school bus. Thank God she has "great, thick, caramel brown, movie star hair" and a plant to fly under the radar like the brilliant dingo she saw at the zoo, 'cause Camille's life is about to get more hectic than she ever imagined. Kristen Tracey's CAMILLE MCPHEE FELL UNDER THE BUS is a charming debut featuring a sarcastic, spunky heroine dealing with the trials and tribulations facing many children today. While not specifically "issue oriented" CAMILLE MCPHEE addresses topics like the possibility of divorce, debt, the indifference of a self-centered teacher, alienation from one's peers, bullying, and death. Ms. Tracey shows Camille facing her problems head on with her own unique brand of grit, intelligence and determination, making this book one for the keeper shelf.
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Fantastic Female Filmmakers
by
Suzanne Simoni
catie james
, January 12, 2010
Throughout history women have struggled to make their way in a world where wealth and power is often dominated by men. As Suzanne Simoni details the lives and careers of ten filmmakers, it's clear the film industry is no exception. Even in the this, the twenty-first century, less than fifteen percent of directors (in and outside of Hollywood) are female. FANTASTIC FEMALE FILMMAKERS isn't about bemoaning one's fate though; rather it is a testament to the strength, determination, not to mention creative and technical advancements women have made on movie making over the last one hundred years; a template for incoming and future generations; and an inspiration for following one's own instincts. Starting with the first female director - producer - writer - actress Nell Shipman, Simoni highlights a wide array of influential women from across the world. Among Ms. Simoni subjects are Berlin-born Margarethe von Trotta's, who aims to create thought-provoking films about women's internal conflicts, Mira Nair who went against conventional Indian tastes by filming street scenes in Bombay; and Euzhan Palcy, the first filmmaker (male or female) to create a picture depicting the lives of black people on the French-speaking island of Martinique. FANTASTIC FEMALE FILMMAKERS is an entertaining and informative primer women and movie making. This is a fantastic book for the aspiring filmmaker, or anyone who just wants to know a bit more about the history of celluloid.
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Far from You
by
Schroeder, Lisa
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Alice's mother died of cancer years ago. Everyone else has moved on: her father has remarried and is expecting a new baby, but Alice continues to mourn, finding solace in song writing, attending services and performing at her mother's old church with best friend/musical soul mate Claire, and spending time with her boyfriend Blaze. Nothing can shake Alice from her grief from the birth of a baby sister Ivy, the progression of her relationship with Blaze, to a with Claire. It is only when she, Victoria, and Ivy are caught on the road during freak snow storm that Alice begins to regain perspective and consider the possibility that her mother was closer than she ever imagined. Author Lisa Schroeder's decision to tell this story entirely in verse is deceptively simple, but the effectiveness of this narration quickly becomes clear cutting through the excess of more straightforward prose to the raw center of Alice's emotional turmoil. Despite being the story being told from a single character's perspective though, Ms. Schroeder still manages to drop subtle hints (i.e., her father's pained silence, Blaze's easy interaction with the stepmother his girlfriend has written off, their efforts to remind Alice that they're a family) to let readers know Alice's perspective might somewhat biased. It's rare to find a book that moves me to tears, but FAR FROM YOU touched my heart, making it an emotional journey worth taking.
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Voice of Her Own Becoming Emily Dickinson
by
Barbara Dana
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Despite a huge body of work and lifetime's worth of correspondence she left behind, Emily Dickinson remains an enigma in many people's minds. Why was she so preoccupied with death? Why did she choose to not marry in an era when most women did so to the exclusion of all other pursuits? What drove her to write more than one thousand poems, yet never seek publication for her work? By immersing herself in Emily's poetry, prose, surroundings, and numerous biographies, Barbara Dana seeks to answer these questions in a first person, fictional narrative of Emily's life from age eleven to twenty-four. A VOICE OF HER OWN: BECOMING EMILY DICKINSON portrays Emily as a vivid, social, intelligent child; spending days and nights with family and friends, tramping about the idyllic town of Amherst, Massachusetts. Despite numerous bouts of illness, anxiety attacks, depressions, and the frequent loss of loved ones, Emily always retained a passion the natural world, not to mention a fierce drive to improve both academically and as a poet. It took a long time to read this novel, not because I didn't enjoy it; quite the opposite in fact, because A VOICE OF HER OWN became my daily treat of Godiva chocolates. Whenever I wanted a quiet moment to savor the beauty of nature, or revel in contemplation of the a slower-paced way of life, I'd pull out Barbara Dana's book and dip into the possibilities surrounding Emily Dickinson's formative years. Ms. Dana did a superb job capturing Emily's voice and spirit, making this novel a truly joyful read and definitely one for the keeper shelf.
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Elissas Odyssey
by
Erica Verrillo
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Summertime is the travel season for most and an ideal time to pick up ELISSA'S ODYSSEY, the second book of the Phoenix Rising Trilogy. After making their escape from the evil ruler Kahn, Princess Elissa, her constant companion and lifelong confidant, Gertrude the donkey, Ralph the camel, and Elissa's new friend Maya, are led across the Great Oasis by the Blue People of the southern desert, to the city of Alhamazar as the group continue with their quest to return Elissa and Maya to their respective homelands. Elissa's journey home has barely begun though when she is cruelly separated from her friends and must make make her own way to the seaside town of Gravesport. It is only when she meets outgoing, but directionally challenged deck hand Billy Buck, the dispossessed Count Favian of Leonne, Doc and Captain of the dodgy vessel called Swamp Maiden, that the next leg of Elissa's adventure truly begins. It's the individual personalities and relationships between Erica Verrillo's quirky, charming characters that make the travelogue across a foreign world of magic and fantasy so engaging--though followers of the series should note, most of this installment is spent getting to know Elissa's new companions rather than those from the first book. Taken as a whole, ELISSA'S ODYSSEY is a delightful adventure for readers young and old.
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Dumbfounded Big Money Big Hair Big Problems or Why Having It All Isnt for Sissies
by
Matt Rothschild
catie james
, January 11, 2010
So you think being raised by wealthy Jewish grandparents in a Fifth Avenue apartment, twelve years of prep and boarding schools, regular trips to FAO Schwartz, chauffeured limousines, or visiting Mom at her husband's Italian villa also means a life on easy street? Then you haven't read Matt Rothschild's family. memoir, DUMBFOUNDED. In his memoir, DUMBFOUNDED, Matt paints a lush and detailed portrait of life as a complex, awkward, outsider in a world that demands conformity and simple definition. Despite growing up in a completely different environment, I felt constant sense of familiarity and kinship with Matt. Whether he was describing the painful silence that greeted his a capella rendition of "Get Happy" for the sixth-grade talent show; spinning tales of his midget butler, Little Saigon, in the hopes of pleasing his fickle grandmother; or confronting an ever increasing awareness that his sexuality might not fit society's definition of "normal." Matt's story runs the gamut of human emotion from laugh-out-loud hilarity, to chest-aching heartbreak. DUMBFOUNDED is a book about people and it reminds us that once stripped of all our ideological constructs (wealth, race, faith, gender, orientation, nationality, etc.) at our core, we're all pretty much the same.
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Demon Queen
by
Richard Lewis
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Jesse has spent the last fourteen years hiding in corners and rightfully so, having grown up in the foster system of L.A. county, shuffled from one home to another. The recent discovery that there is no record of his birth in the United States has Homeland Security targeting him a potential terrorist and under constant threats of deportation to Cambodia. Jesse is determined to stay out of trouble and maintain a low profile with his new family the Mindells. The rolling cornfields of the midwest prove no sanctuary though once Honor Clarke comes to town. Returning to her birthplace after years spent in Bali with her anthropologist mother, Honor is full of gruesome stories from the accidental beheading of her father, to her current explorations of black magic. Jesse knows Honor's just messing with his head, after all things like voodoo death curses and Balinese demon queens don't really exist. The turbulent storms threatening to break across the horizon, a recent spate of bird massacres, Jesse's visions of a tobacco smoking bald man, and one drunk college janitor claiming a smiladon skeleton came to life are just coincidences. Jesse can't possibly be the world's last defense against the primal force of evil Honor plans to unleash...can he? Richard Lewis' novel The Demon Queen is a complex mixture of fantasy, horror, and mystery grounded in the very real paranoia of post 9/11 life. What I love about this book is the credit Lewis gives his readers by confronting difficult situations head on; nor does he provide pat, easy answers. In Jesse, Lewis has created an intellectual hero, one who is reluctant to take up arms even when he suspects wrong doing. Like many teens, he simply wants the freedom to go about live his life, without being hassled and it's only when he sees no other option, does he resort to a warrior mentality. The Demon Queen is a page-turning, thought provoking read that will stay with the reader long after they are finished.
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Models Dont Eat Chocolate Cookies
by
Erin Dionne
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Cramming her not-so-skinny body into the Peach Monstrosity bridesmaid dress for her cousin’s upcoming wedding is bad enough, but when Celeste Harris’s Aunt Doreen secretly enters her in the HuskyPeach modeling contest knows something’s gotta give. After all, what thirteen year old girl wants to model fat girl clothes? The cruel insults her nemesis Lively Carson would make the current taunts “cow” and “pig” seem flattering by comparison. In the face of overwhelming pressure from her parents to compete, coupled with the loss of her best friend to Lively’s evil ploys, the only way out Celeste can see is by changing her diet and exercising until she’s too small to be considered a HuskyPeach because models don’t eat chocolate cookies. Erin Dionne’s debut novel is one every teenage female should read. It’s rare to read such an honest, straightforward narrative portraying the realities faced by teens who are “plus-sized.” Celeste blossoms from a lost and uncertain little girl, to a self-assured, assertive young lady with style and grace. I think my favorite part of this book was Dionne’s decision *not* to put Celeste through a radical body/personality makeover, but rather portrayed her as coming into strengths that were present from page one. This is a fabulous book that should be on everyone’s TBR list.
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How To Buy A Love Of Reading
by
Tanya Egan Gibson
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Life in the upper class enclave of Fox Glen is not kind to those refusing to keep up appearances; people who are overweight, academically underachieving, and generally social outcasts. People like Carly Wells. Somehow all of this is still bearable thanks to Carly's love for hard partying, Fitzgerald quoting, all-around golden boy and best friend Hunter Cray. When her parents crown themselves the Medici of Fox Glen by hiring struggling novelist Bree McEvoy to write a novel ensuring their daughter discovers a newfound appreciation of words, Carly has no concern and no idea that everything in her life is about to change. Every once in a while you'll come across a novel so precise in its observations, so visceral in its actions, and so familiar in its depictions you know less than three pages in you're reading a book that will shatter your soul, breaking you into bits. You will relive some of the best and worst moments of you life and cry through every page while your heart tightens with fresh pain. You'll be thrown against jagged cliffs until everything inside splits open, and in the end, you'll still be grateful for the experience. I realize there are plenty of people who will pick up HOW TO BUY A LOVE OF READING and not identify as closely with the characters as I did, but it's still a deeply layered, incredibly nuanced piece that digs into your mind and stays there long after the novel's end.
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Blue Rock Rescue
by
M. R. Street
catie james
, January 11, 2010
M.R. Street's BLUE ROCK RESCUE is a classic, boy-meets-girl love story...with a few twists. The boy in this tale is fourteen year old Andy Broome of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. But Andy harbors a few secrets from the feisty, intelligent, new girl in town, Trudy Mitchell--like what caused the death of his mother two years ago, or why he won't swim in the river with the rest of his friends. Will Andy have the courage to move beyond the fears and pain of the past when his new friend needs him most? Some of the story's most appealing aspects are: Andy's sweet nature; his immediate attraction to a highly independent, capable girl like Trudy; the close and largely, angst-free relationships between the young characters and their elders; and the special role that setting plays in the plot. Street's descriptions of the North Carolina mountains are lush and verdant, giving the environment due a vitality and characterization unto itself. BLUE ROCK RESCUE is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, love, redemption, and trust.
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Bite Me
by
Blue Parker and Parker Blue
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Val Shapiro doesn't patrol the streets of greater San Antonio hunting vampires for kicks, nor is she fulfilling some sacred, ancient prophecy. She's just trying to cope with as a demon/human offspring and sate the lust of her succubus half (Lola) by dusting vamps after dark. When her little sister Jennifer tags along on the nightly hunt without permission, Val returns home to find herself kicked out and forbidden from making further contact with her family, all on her eighteenth birthday. Having met up with Special Crimes Unit hunky detective Dan Sullivan while patrolling the night before, it's not long before Val's on her way to earning a living from her slaying duties. With her new half-terrier sidekick half-hellhound sidekick Fang in tow, Dan's sister Gwen as a roommate, Val's just in time to investigate the New Blood Movement. While NBM's leader Alejandro says the group wants nothing more than an improvement in vampire/human relations, Val and SCU her colleagues have their doubts. When a rash of innocent humans are targeted by rogue vamps and New Blood's most recent volunteer, Jennifer disappears, Val's no longer letting Lola out just for kicks. In some ways Blue Parker's BITE ME treads familiar ground, specifically a young girl hunting big bad beasties in the night; but that trope is turned on its head in several ways. The slayer herself is half-demon and has not taken up the call of vampire hunting to fulfill a life long destiny. Val is quite simply, an isolated, neglected young girl with limited options when it comes to satisfying her demon's desires. Ms. Parker takes the idea of self-determination is taken a step further by not making vampires, nor even evil by nature. Obviously there are vampires who drink humans dry, but the members of the New Blood Movement demonstrate their ability to make the choice for themselves. We can make a similar assumption about demons, given Val's choice to protect people who would otherwise be defenseless against creatures with superhuman abilities. The importance of choice becomes even clearer when Val meets fellow half-demon, Micah Blackburn and sees how he employs his incubi powers as a dancer at the club Purgatory rather than seducing unwitting females. The best thing about BITE ME though, has to be its characters due mostly to the portrayal of their humanity--yes, even in the demons and vampires. Val may be sarcastic and sassy while kicking vampires to the curb, but she's also a little lost and unsure. Dan may be a salt-of-the-earth detective and devoted sibling, but he's not without prejudice against all things supernatural. Stepfather Rick is obviously torn about keeping his wife happy and protecting their daughter Jennifer, at Val's expense. My favorite character though has to be half-hellhound Fang. With his ability to sniff out vampire, telepathy, snarky humor, and motorcycle goggles, he's the cherry on-top of the BITE ME sundae.
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Heart For Any Fate
by
Linda Crew
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Lovisa King was just seventeen in the spring of 1845 when her three generations of her family loaded up the green, canvas covered wagons to make the two thousand mile journey from Missouri to Oregon. Born right in the middle of ten brothers and sisters, Lovisa begins their expedition with dauntless optimism and absolute certainty that the her family's superior preparation, will protect them from any hardships the Overland Trail may present. Even a last minute reassignment to her sister Sarah and "bossy" brother-in-law, Rowland Chambers' wagon can't diminish Lovisa's enthusiasm for the future that lies ahead. But the road west is cruel and indiscriminate, leaving a trail of fallen party members in its wake. The entire wagon train faces days unanswered thirst, weeks of trekking across the barren plains in blistering heat, and storms of prairie sand so acidic the only remedy is axle grease rubbed into raw skin. As death and disease ravage those she loves, with bone-deep weariness chipping away Lovisa's soul, she begins to wonder if this expedition really has a terminus and when it does, how many Kings will be left standing when it ends. I'm a huge history buff, especially anything pertaining to the Old West. The problem with a lot of us enamored of these tales though is a tendency to romanticize a time and place full of brutal and harsh realities. Linda Crewe effortlessly sidesteps this trap to capture Lovisa's story as it might have been, opening A HEART FOR ANY FATE a general introduction to the US's great expansion, circumstances leading up to the citizen's migration, and life along the trail itself. Lovisa and her family are the heart of this story; searching, like so many American's at the time, for a more prosperous fate in a new land. Ms. Crewe did such a wonderful job creating this young woman's voice, I had to continuously reminding myself that I wasn't reading an actual account of her experience; although if the truth be told, I was moved to tears more than once during my reading. A HEART FOR ANY FATE is a fascinating and moving depiction that immerses the reader into a defining period of American history and definitely shouldn't be missed.
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How I Survived Middle School 08 Its All Downhill From Here
by
Nancy E Krulik
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Surviving seventh grade isn't easy, especially when your former BFF is now one of the popular kids and constantly looking for opportunities to put you down. Luckily for Jenny McAfee she's got great group of friends interested in more than outdoing everyone else's clothes, hair, make-up and cell phones. When their English teacher announces a new mentoring program pairing middle schoolers with kindergartners for activities, Jenny and three of her friends can't wait to sign up. Unfortunately ex-best friend Addie and the other Pops decide to join as well. It's not long before Jenny notices a division along popularity lines between the kindergartners. After being forced to spend a disastrous snow day at home with Addie, Jenny finds they're at odds again as the student council makes plans for this year's fund raiser. While Addie wants to stick with the traditional ice skating party, Jenny catches the attention and support of the eighth grade class president with her idea for school ski trip. Jenny wishes for nothing more than an end to all these rivalries and (maybe) understanding why Addie is so adamantly against hitting the slopes... IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE is the eighth book in Nancy Krulik's How I Survived Middle School series. With an easy-to-relate-to narrator; straight forward storytelling; and interactive website full of quizzes, tips, games, and guides IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE is a fun, jaunty read for any middle schooler who's trying to survive.
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Land Of A Hundred Wonders
by
Lesley Kagen
catie james
, January 11, 2010
Though she survived the wreckage that took her parents lives one rainy summer night, that near fatal car accident left Gibby McGraw N(ot).Q(uite).R(ight). While she spends her mornings working at Grandpa Charlie's Top o'the Morning Diner, her afternoons visiting the residents of Cray Ridge, Kentucky, running errands while Grandpa fishes, and gathering information to put in the stories she writes for Gibby's Gazette, Gibby also realizes everyone in town thinks she's diminished. Heck, even Sheriff LeRoy Johnson called her "dumber than anthracite" when he thought she was out of hearing range; but Gibby has a plan. At the top of her list VERY IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO is to prove she is Quite Right and can take care of her self so so Mama can rest in peace and Charlie will get off her back and stop sending her to talk with Reverend Jack every time she says or does something "inappropriate." And the perfect plan fell into her lap when she found the man with plans to be the future state governor, Buster Malloy's murdered body, washed up on the shores of Browntown. Now all Gibby need do is employ the skills learned from THE IMPORTANCE OF PERCEPTION IN METICULOUS INVESTIGATION by Howard Redmond of New York City, New York to find Buster's killer and write the article for her paper. What Gibby didn't count on was all hell breaking loose in the meantime. I'm a huge fan of novels set in small towns; it's a prime opportunity for authors to utilize the family dynamic on a much larger scale and populate their world with plenty of quirky, compelling characters. Cray Ridge, Kentucky is lousy with those folks, and I mean that in the best way possible. Gibby's the protagonist and we experience the novel via her first person narrative, but all the characters were spectacular. Lesley Kagen had me laughing at Gibby's inappropriate outbursts and downright embarrassing questions until my sides hurt, and she had me stemming the flow of tears at certain points throughout while demonstrating just how much Gibby had lost due to the brain damage. There's so much more regarding friend and familial connections, secrets and betrayals, but I fear going further into detail will lead to spoilers. All I can say is the roots of the characters' relationships run deep and when that happens, there is a great deal of twisting and rot that must eventually, be unraveled. A second, but equally important aspect in this novel is it's social context. Ms. Kagen set LAND OF HUNDRED WONDERS is set in the post Civil Rights Movement south. As anyone who's ever spent time in the United States southern regions, there are places one can visit today in 2009, and still feel as though the events of that era never took place. Ms. Kagen does a superior job portraying the segregation that still existed in small places like Cray Ridge, not to mention the abuse of power employed by white law enforcement, and the simmering tensions between the former and those forced to live in the deteriorating conditions of Browntown. We also see the toll Vietnam took on American soldiers sent overseas, in Gibby's friend Billy Brown Junior. The only son of the town's richest man, he spends the days since his return in the woods, often times believing he's still in the jungles of the Orient, with his own hideout shelters all over town. LAND OF A HUNDRED WONDERS is a complex, hilarious, tender, slice-of-life, love story, murder mystery all rolled into one package. I *loved* reading this novel. Picking it up and opening the pages was like settling in for a visit with a group of close friends; and while the ending, like life, was somewhat bittersweet, it was an entirely appropriate send off for these characters I'd come to cherish.
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Secret Year
by
Jennifer Hubbard
catie james
, January 11, 2010
While family and friends are still reeling over the Labor Day car accident that took senior high school student Julia Vernon's life, Cal Morrissey is trying to figure out how to mourn her loss and the absence of their year long, secret relationship. How does he grieve for the girl who was never really his, yet knew in a way no one else did? Cal is shocked when, one day at school, Julia's brother hands him a journal detailing the course of their relationship, as he simultaneously relives the past *and* works to move forward. Inter cut with the present are a series flashbacks prompted by Julia's diary. We learn the details of their affair, how deeply divided their class/societal divides ran, and how those hostilities culminate among their small town's youth in the aftermath of Julia's demise. THE SECRET YEAR is a novel for outsiders and when ultimately stripped of our outward trappings, aren't we all outsiders? Jennifer Hubbard captures the trauma and agony of the achingly grim slowness that is high school with honesty and blistering clarity. THE SECRET YEAR sharply portrays those years of being torn between who/what other perceive us to be, who we really are, and how hard it can be to reconcile two such seemingly disparate halves of the whole, not to mention the overwhelming sense of impossibility that looms when trying to break free of that social image. And finally, she perfectly renders the pain of first love, the hope that it will be forever, and the heart ache of learning it being the first step into a much larger world.
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