Books are Wonderful

Review: How to be Bad by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart

A fun summer read

Best friends, Jess and Vicks, aren’t clicking like they use to, so Jess has a plan that will bring her and Vicks close again - a road trip to see Vicks’s boyfriend, Brady, who is at University. There’s only one issue, they don’t have enough money to fund the trip. Enter Mel, the new girl. Mel volunteers to help them fund the trip as long as they take her along with them, much to Jess’s dismay. What follows is a hilarious and endearing tale of friendship and love with a couple of crocodiles. Lauren Myracle writes as Jess, E. Lockhart as Vicks and Sarah Mlynowski as Mel.

I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Jess, Vicks and Mel are all well fleshed out and relatable. Since each character is written by a different author, each voice is very distinct, yet, the story is cohesive. In the beginning, I was a little skeptical at how Mel would have fit in - what exactly was her story and why was she so keen on hanging with Jess and Vicks? How to be Bad explores these friendships, the road trip serving to bring out the good and the bad in each of them. For these girls, the trip is definitely about the journey, not just the destination.

While it’s light and fun, How to be Bad has a lot of depth to it, walking a balance between hilarious and serious. It’s a heartwarming story of the love of friends. I love the character growth, it made the book feel more like someone’s diary than the imaginations of three authors. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more from these ladies and hopefully their future work together.

Publisher: HarperTeen || Details →

Get the book on → Amazon || Barnes & Noble

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May 21, 2012

High Res

Currently Reading How to be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle

Release Date: 21st April, 2009

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 352 (Paperback)

Details: Vicks is the wild child whose boyfriend has gone suspiciously quiet since he left for college; Mel is the newcomer desperate to be liked; and Jesse will do anything to avoid a life-altering secret. Each one has her own reason for wanting to get the heck out of their nowheresville town, even just for the weekend. So they climb into Jesse’s mom’s “borrowed” station wagon and head south.

Hearts will be broken, friendships will be tested, and a ridiculously hot stranger could change the course of everything. [via amazon]

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March 30, 2012

The Best of 2011

Of the 69 books that I’ve read in 2011, these are on the top of my list as the best:

Children’s

Only Brian Selznick can write about automaton, an orphan boy, a retired movie maker and a train station in Paris and create a wonderful story. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a beautifully illustrated book with a wonderfully touching story.

See more about Brian Selznic on the blog

See more about Brian and Hugo online.

Fantasy

Daughter of Smoke and Bone tops the list of books I’ve read this year and takes it for the fantasy category.

Laini Taylor is traveling up my list as one of the best author’s I’ve read so far. I adore her descriptive and imaginative writing.

See more of Laini Taylor on the blog

See more of Laini Taylor online.

Historical

Scott Westerfeld is one of my favourite authors. His stories are so imaginative and smart. His Leviathan trilogy takes WWI as we know it and adds an imaginative twist that Scott pull off smoothly and quite believably.

Goliath is filled with steampunk fun and the illustrations are brilliant. I cannot wait for The Manual of Aeronautics, a companion piece of the trilogy.

See more of Scott Westerfeld on the blog.

See more of Scott Westerfeld online.

Mystery

I’ve always though of Holly Black as the mistress of Faery-tales but White Cat shows that Holly isn’t just a Faery expert but a wonder story-teller across genres.

White Cat starts the Curse Workers trilogy where magic is illegal and used by the mafia for their own gain. With a wonderful world-building and a twist that I did not see coming, White Cat was a gripping read from start to finish.

See more of Holly Black on the blog.

See more of Holly Black online.

Dystopian

Birthmarked, the debut novel of Caragh O’Brien, is a strong and well thought out dystopian novel that delves into what-ifs that don’t seem far off. From this she spins a realistic tale of a young girl who questions whether everything she ever grew up believing in is really accurate. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but a great dystopian novel.

See more of Caragh O’Brien on the blog.

See more of Caragh O’Brien online.

Realistic Fiction

I can tell that Shine was a great book, because there are days when I still remember the story that Lauren Myracle told. It’s a very hard story to read, but it’s real and it makes the reader think.

I loved this story and thought that Lauren did a wonderful job in raising questions without forcing answers on the reader. It’s a book that makes will haunt you for days after the cover is closed.

See more of Lauren Myracle on the blog.

See more of Lauren Myracle online.

Debut

Witch Song is a story about singing witches. That may sound comical, but Amber Argyles debut novel is no laughing matter.

I followed her blog before her book was published and I was lucky enough to receive a digital arc and a hard copy of the published book sits on my shelf - that’s how much I liked it. It’s more a high fantasy novel than most YA novels out there. It’s also a great read and a wonderful adventure. I cannot wait to see what else Amber has in store.

See more of Amber Argyle on the blog.

See more of Amber Argyle online.

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January 16, 2012

Top Ten Books Read in 2011 - So Far

I’m participating in the Top Ten Tuesday meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week is a freebie, so I get to create my top ten of anything! So, I’ve decided that I’ll be post my top ten books of 2011 - that I’ve read so far. I’ve only read 41 books to date, but, while it’s not a wide universe, I’m hoping that it gives you some books to look into - if you haven’t read them before.

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld.
I do believe that Scott Westerfeld is a genius. I am always in awe of his storytelling and world building and well, anything he’s put on paper. I flew through his Goliath book this past weekend. I couldn’t help myself. It was just that awesome. I can’t wait for it to be released, I’ll be first in line to buy it!
Goliath is the last in the Leviathan trilogy, which is a retelling of WW1.
Between by Jessica Warman
It’s been two months since I’ve read this book and I’m still haunted by the story. Jessica Warman did a WONDERFUL job with it.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I know that many people found death’s narrative a bit grating, but I absolutely loved this story. I don’t think any other book has made me cried as much as this book has this year. So many times I had to stop reading because I was on the train and didn’t want to be that girl, crying in the corner. Great storytelling!
White Cat by Holly Black
I’ve been a Holly Black fan for the longest while and consider her a faery lore guru. While White Cat isn’t about faeries but crime, Holly still spins a lovely tale. I couldn’t put it down!
Shine by Lauren Myracle
This book is all kinds of awesome. I don’t know where to begin. I think Lauren achieved perfect balance in the telling of this heartbreaking tale.
Witch Song by Amber Argyle
Debut author Amber Argyle’s alternate universe comes to life through the pages. I loved this tale and can’t wait to see it in the bookstores so that I can put it on my bookshelves!
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
I probably wouldn’t have read this story if it wasn’t for YASaves. After reading it, I couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t have read it in the first place. Heart-wrenching, but worth the read. This story is still with me today.
12 Little Blue Envelopes (and subsequently The Last Little Blue Envelope) by Maureen Johnson
After reading the Little Blue Envelopes books my desire to travel increased exponentially. I want to live in Paris for a month, to go to London, to visit Edinburgh and trek all over Ireland. Also, I have a yearning for scavenger hunts and letter writing.
Warped by Maurissa Guibord
I haven’t heard much of this story this year, but I thought it was great! Love story, historical fiction, mystery … all of this wrapped into an awesome book! Why aren’t you reading it now?
The Iron King (and Iron Daughter) by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Fey series has been fast becoming one of my favourite series. I just love the world that Julie Kagawa builds. I’m in the middle of reading the Iron Queen. I can’t wait to see where this series takes me!

August 16, 2011

First off, How to Be Bad is FINALLY on Kindle. Secondly, for a limited time, it’s ONLY $1.99!

Follow my instructions carefully.

1) Go to: Amazon

2) Click on Buy Now

3) ????

4) Profit.

That is all.

July 14, 2011

Giveaway: Spring Cleaning my Bookcase

I’m cleaning out my bookcase and so I’m giving away 10 books that I’ve read to make space for some new ones. Depending on the number of people who enter the lucky ones will receive a book or two.

Since reading is fun, I do encourage you to spread the word - you aren’t required to follow this blog to enter, so anyone can. I have a few restrictions, so please check those below!

The Books
(paperbacks, unless otherwise noted. Click on the title to see photo & condition of book on Flickr)

Private by Kate Brian
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Truth or Dairy by Catherine Clark
The Naming by Alison Croggon
Gone by Michael Grant
Girl, 15, Charming but Insane (hardcover) by Sue Limb
Girl, Nearly 16, Absolute Torture by Sue Limb
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
TTYL by Lauren Myracle

Enter Giveaway:

To enter, simply fill out the » Spring Cleaning my Bookcase « form by June 22nd.

Restrictions:

You must be 13 years or older to enter.
You must enter by 22nd June, 2011. =)
You must live in the US or Canada.
Unfortunately, as I’m funding this little book giveaway, I can only mail to the US and Canada. HOWEVER, If you are not living in the US or Canada and really want one of the books on the list, you can still enter. If your number is drawn, depending on the cost to your country I’ll try to figure something out; but no promises.

[comments? questions? leave them in the comment box below]

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June 8, 2011

Mama Sweetie said you didn’t need a reason to sing. She said if everyone started off the day singing, just think how happy they’d be.

Shine; Lauren Myracle

April 28, 2011

Review: Shine by Lauren Myracle

A gripping story of friendship and betrayal.

Release: 1st May, 2011

Publisher: Amulet Books

Details: When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.

Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author. [via amazon.com]

Cat lives in a small town in North Carolina, where the poverty level is high and the options are low. The story opens up a week after Cat’s childhood best friend - and kindred spirit - Patrick, was attacked at the Come ‘n’ Go, where he worked.

The story unfolds slowly, and Lauren Myracle takes that time to build the relationships and explain Cat’s past while also developing the characters that Cat interact with throughout the novel. Cat had an experience three years prior that caused her to turn away from her friends, Patrick included. However, she feels compelled to find out what happened to Patrick, who was the victim of a hate crime and by doing so it opens doors that she closed three years before.

Lauren handled the telling of the crime and its resolution well. As I am not from a small town I don’t fully understand what that experience might be, however, Lauren details her story in such a way that I feel as though I’m living right next door to Cat. I was concerned that there might be religious bashing or that the story might turn out to be judgmental, however, this was not the case. While she did not candy-coat the emotions, or the effects of the crimes throughout the story, she approached it realistically and somewhat journalistically, allowing the reader to form their opinions about each character. I did not see the end coming until it was unfolding, but I do see now how it was a great ending.

There are a lot of points that could be discussed in this book. Prejudices, self hating and narrow-mindedness to name a few. I highly recommend reading this book! Then, perhaps discussing it with a friend over tea.

[review of arc via netgalley]

April 27, 2011

It’s unfair how the kids who are starving for attention tended to be so annoying that people had no inclination to give it to them