Category: Bookanistas

Book Rec: JUST ONE DAY

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

In honor of the most romantic day of the year, I have a new favorite novel to share with you: Gayle Forman‘s latest,  Just One Day…

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From Goodreads: When sheltered American good girl Allyson “LuLu” Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines. Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon (October, 2013)!

For me, Gayle Forman is one of those authors, someone who is just so awesome she’s taken on a bit of a celebrity status in my head. She’s smart and generous in sharing her wisdom (as evident in blog posts like this one), and she’s thoughtful and classy (even when she’s calling people out for being assholes, like in this post). I was lucky enough to hear her speak at an event last year, and I was blown away by how funny and bright and authentic she was. I’ve come to look up to her both as a writer and a person, and If I Stay and Where She Went are two of my very favorite contemporaries. So, of course I terrified to read her latest release. I mean… What if I was a disappointed?

Thankfully, I definitely was not.

If I had to describe Just One Day in just one word, that word would be RICH. It is a story that is rich in far-reaching themes (finding your identity, lost love, coming of age, making a mark; there are mentions of Shakespeare throughout the novel). It is a story that is rich in lusciously-described settings (Paris, Mexico, Amsterdam, London, among others). And it is a story that is rich in colorful, dynamic characters (I adored Dee most). Every sentence, every page, every chapter of Just One Day made me think and wonder and imagine and  feel, which is the very best kind of reading experience.

I absolutely loved this book.

I think that’s mostly because I got the main character, Allyson. I understood her need to please, empathized with her initial absence of identity, felt the gaping hole she suffered when things with Willem went to hell. When I was eighteen, I was a lot like Allyson — that perfection-seeking girl with a lack of confidence and very little autonomy. That’s why it was so compelling to watch Allyson grow into her personality and become self-reliant, a full, well-rounded person. That’s why I was rooting for her even when she was at her lowest and, frankly, sort of hard to like. By the time I reached the final page of her story, I wanted to be Allyson’s friend. I wanted to travel Europe with her!

Now. Let’s talk about Willem. I want to read his story, Just One Year, like, RIGHT NOW. Just One Day ends in a pretty staggering cliffhanger. It will presumably continue on in Willem’s narration coming this October (*sigh*), and I cannot wait to hear his side of the story. As of now, I know him only through Allyson’s romanced eyes. In Paris, he is charming and fun and sexy and impulsive, but I get the overwhelming sense that there is much more to Willem than the persona he presented to Allyson. I am so looking forward to learning more about him, his apparently complicated past, his feelings concerning LuLu, and what exactly happened on that fateful morning in Paris.

Fans of contemporary YA, fans of romance, fans of beautiful writing, fans of books: please, pLeAsE, PLEASE go buy Just One Day. It is a gorgeous, emotional, whirlwind of a read, and you will love every minute of it.

Check out what some other Bookanistas are recommending:

Jessica Love raves about THE REECE MALCOM LIST

Nikki Katz swoons over SCARLET

Stasia Ward Kehoe is ga-ga for GOING VINTAGE

♥ Now… Go enjoy Valentine’s Day with someone you love! ♥

Book Rec: THE TRAGEDY PAPER

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My first 2013 debut: The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LaBan…
(Reviewed for the Debut Author Challenge and The Bookanistas)

The Tragedy PaperFrom Goodreads: Tim Macbeth is a seventeen-year-old albino and a recent transfer to the prestigious Irving School, where the motto is “Enter here to be and find a friend.” A friend is the last thing Tim expects or wants—he just hopes to get through his senior year unnoticed. Yet, despite his efforts to blend into the background, he finds himself falling for the quintessential “It” girl, Vanessa Sheller, girlfriend of Irving’s most popular boy. To Tim’s surprise, Vanessa is into him, too, but she can kiss her social status goodbye if anyone ever finds out. Tim and Vanessa begin a clandestine romance, but looming over them is the Tragedy Paper, Irving’s version of a senior year thesis, assigned by the school’s least forgiving teacher. Jumping between viewpoints of the love-struck Tim and Duncan, a current senior about to uncover the truth of Tim and Vanessa, The Tragedy Paper is a compelling tale of forbidden love and the lengths people will go to keep their secrets.

The Tragedy Paper was not on my original list of 2013 debuts, but over the last month I’ve come across too many glowing reviews to pass it up. I mean really… A story about a clandestine romance set at a New England boarding school pretty much screams Katy Book!

The Tragedy Paper‘s format reminds me of Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why. It’s recent graduate Tim’s story (his tragedy, really) relayed through a collection of CDs gifted to current senior Duncan (who is peripherally and mysteriously linked to the aforementioned tragedy). The Tragedy Paper‘s structure portrays the boys’ parallel plot lines in a way that makes them feel equally important, especially considering that as their stories unfold, Tim and Duncan are both pondering what, exactly, makes a tragedy, as well as working toward completing their all-important tragedy papers.

If The Tragedy Paper‘s format hints at Thirteen Reasons Why, its tone is reminiscent of A Separate Peace by John Knowles. There’s the boarding school setting of course, and then there’s the dynamic between students of different social standings, the one-tiny-moment-can-change-everything theme, and the constant defining and redefining of the word tragedy. All of these things in combination made me think often of Gene and Phineas and how their fatal flaws compared to those of Tim and Duncan.

I think The Tragedy Paper‘s greatest strength lies in its earnestness. It’s a quiet sort of book and the characters who populate its pages are wholesome kids mostly trying to do the right thing. But, they have weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and those weaknesses and vulnerabilities are what kept me turning pages. I felt for Tim who, at his core, is a good guy with some serious self-esteem issues. I felt for Vanessa, whose seemingly effortless existence isn’t entirely so. And I felt for Duncan, who endeared me with his dorkiness, not to mention the guilt he carries for his part in the tragedy that changed all of the characters’ lives irreparably.

If there was anything I wanted more of from The Tragedy Paper, it was the “forbidden love” element mentioned in the story’s summary. (Of course, I’m a romance girl and I always want more swoon-worthy moments. ♥) While I got a definite sense of Tim’s pining for Vanessa, I wanted more scenes with those same feelings reciprocated by her. I often wondered if she was leading Tim on because she enjoyed his attention, though she sought him out enough to convince me that she felt true affection for him. More than once I just wanted to shake Vanessa and make her face up to her feelings even though they were difficult and complicated.

The Tragedy Paper was an incredibly satisfying read. It was also an intense read. I’ve found myself thinking about it and its messages since I finished a few days ago. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of contemporary YA, and to readers who appreciate clean, straightforward prose and characters who experience profound growth over the course of a story.

Check out these recommendations from my fellow Bookanistas:

Debra Driza wonders at WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

Jessica Love thinks THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY is terrific.

Stasia Ward Kehoe delves into OUT OF THE EASY.

And learn more about the Debut Author Challenge HERE.

Bookanista Recommendation: FLAWED

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation: Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Flawed

From Goodreads: Sarah O’Brien is only alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago—James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely. Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give. Sam Donavon has been James’s best friend—and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on—for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realize James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact…

I’m so excited to share my love for Kate Avelynn’s debut novel, Flawed. I had the privilege of reading this story in its earliest days, and then again as it was revised and refined into the novel it’s become today. Flawed is a stunning contemporary. It broke my heart, and continues to do so every time I read it.

As you might recall, I am not a crier. I didn’t cry while reading The Scorpio Races or The Book Thief or even The Fault in Our Stars. But Flawed *almost* got me. It’s a serious book, a dark book, but an important one. It’s beautifully written and skillfully plotted and packs a crazy emotional punch.

Sarah O’Brien’s home life is so incredibly heartbreaking, and her love for Sam so perfectly genuine, I couldn’t help but feel for her. While she’s certainly downtrodden, Sarah is a relateable character. You’ll want to cheer her on because she’s inherently likable. Each time she falls, she picks herself up and charges forward, and her loyalty to the people she loves–though sometimes misguided–is moving.

Sarah’s brother James is all kinds of damaged. He has moments of such sweetness, yet he’s manipulative in the subtlest, scariest ways. He knows how to control Sarah and does so without hesitation, yet there are reasons why he is the way he is. Throughout most of Flawed, I hated James, but I also got James. Those complexities, the contrasting emotions he inflicts, make him the very best kind of antagonist.

And then there’s Sam… Guys. He’s adorable. Smart and sweet and self-sacrificing; you can feel his love for Sarah–his absolute devotion to her–seeping from the pages. Despite the dark and serious tone of this book, Sam and Sarah share some very romantic, very intense moments (Kate Avelynn is a master of hot kisses and steamy scenes), and you might find yourself wanting a Sam of your own by the time you’re done reading this story.

Flawed is a definite recommend for all lovers of contemporary romance, but especially those who favor stories with heavier themes. You find Flawed at Amazon, The Book Depository, and Barnes and Noble.

Bookanista Rec: LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP

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{First, thanks so very much to everyone who commented on yesterday’s post, and to those who congratulated me via Twitter and email. It has been so much fun to celebrate my good news with all of you. Your support means the world to me, and I am grateful to have made such amazing writing/blogging/reading/tweeting  friends in the YA community. You guys are the BEST! Hugs and Jelly Bellies for everyone!}

Now, I’m so excited to share  today’s Bookanista Recommendation with you. I finished reading Amy McNamara‘s Lovely, Dark and Deep the other day and I’m still thinking about it…

From Goodreads: A resonant debut novel about retreating from the world after losing everything—and the connections that force you to rejoin it.Since the night of the crash, Wren Wells has been running away. Though she lived through the accident that killed her boyfriend Patrick, the girl she used to be didn’t survive. Instead of heading off to college as planned, Wren retreats to her father’s studio in the far-north woods of Maine. Somewhere she can be alone. Then she meets Cal Owen. Dealing with his own troubles, Cal’s hiding out too. When the chemistry between them threatens to pull Wren from her hard-won isolation, Wren has to choose: risk opening her broken heart to the world again, or join the ghosts who haunt her.

Lovely, Dark, and Deep is all of those things: Lovely prose that tells the story of a girl in a very dark place, and the deep relationships she forms as she struggles to find light again. This novel is mature and literary and full of romance that rings so true. It’s a hard read thanks to its difficult themes of loss, guilt, and obligation, but a hopeful read too. I couldn’t put it down.

Because of the car crash that killed her boyfriend and wrecked her life, Wren is taking a “gap year” after graduation, putting art school on hold. As the novel opens, she meets Cal (who I adore), a college student on hiatus thanks to some serious medical issues. As her relationship with Cal sparks  and grows, Wren begins to find a happier place, a sense of peace  she can’t find with anyone else.

But Wren’s recovery is far from easy. Despite the small surges of happiness Cal brings, she goes through periods of selective silence, runs obsessively during the frigid Northeast winter, and makes some pretty damaging life choices. It might have been easy to become frustrated with Wren — sometimes I did want her get it together already — but she’s so self-aware and honest about her grief, I mostly just longed to make her a big bowl of hot soup and give her a tight hug. Amy McNamara has a beautiful but precise way of describing pain and sorrow. Her carefully chosen words let the reader feel the emotion behind them, and that, more than anything, helped me empathize with Wren.

“So this is life. Love. We spend all this time reaching for each other and mostly we end up hurting each other until it’s over.” 
― Amy McNamara, Lovely, Dark and Deep

Lovely, Dark and Deep has a cast of supporting characters who are mesmerizing in their own right. I particularly enjoyed John, Wren’s kind artist father, and Mary, a colorful RISD student in town for a fellowship. Lucy, the local librarian, made me feel all happy and warm, and even cocky Nick, another fellowship student, brought a smile to my face a few times. So… if you like books that are character-driven and complex and gorgeously written, books that ask deep questions, yet don’t give away all the answers, I highly recommend Lovely, Dark and Deep.

Check out what my Bookanista friends are up to today…

Elana Johnson raves about THE IMMORTALITY EXPERIMENT

Jessica Love delights in CHOPSTICKS

Tell me: Do you prefer to read books that are dark and deep, or light and fun?

Bookanista Rec: THE ELF ON THE SHELF

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In celebration of the holidays, I thought I’d repost a Bookanista Recommendation from last year, one for the children’s book The Elf on the Shelf. This is our second year with our elf, Alice, and while my mom jokes that I have more fun with her than my daughter does, she’s become a fantastic family tradition. Here’s why:

From Goodreads: How does Santa really know who is naughty or nice? The answer is finally revealed in… The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. The Elf on the Shelf is a book and activity the entire family will enjoy. Based on the tradition Carol Aebersold began with her family in the 1970s, this cleverly rhymed children’s book explains that Santa knows who is naughty or nice because he sends a scout elf to every home. During the holiday season, the elf watches children by day and reports to Santa each night. When children awake, the elf has returned from the North Pole and can be found hiding in a different location. 

Though my daughter and I read dozens of picture books each month, it’s not often that I take the time to formally recommend the exceptional ones. Still, as a former teacher and current mama, I’m a big fan of books that teach a concept or lesson in a clever, nearly invisible manner, and The Elf on a Shelf does just that. While it’s admittedly a little commercial, I’m willing to overlook that because the story and tradition are so much fun. Good behavior, thoughtful deeds, a generous spirit… Fantastic messages to instill this time of year.

The actual The Elf on a Shelf book is adorable. It rhymes, a format that, in my opinion, is always more appealing for read-alouds, and the illustrations are whimsical and colorful. The book explains all of the “rules” of the tradition in a way that’s clear to little ones, and it’s a quick read (yay for quick reads! :) ). The Elf on a Shelf easily held my daughter’s attention even before I officially introdued the elf.

Ahh, the elf. I bought the optional skirt to make ours a girl (because minus my husband, we’re a house chock full of females), and my daughter decided to name her Alice. Alice is from the North Pole (obviously), and every night she flies there to report to Santa on whether my girlie has been naughty or nice (she’s *almost* always nice ♥). When Alice returns each morning, she’s in a new spot, sometimes hidden and sometimes just doing fun or funny things. I’ve heard some families allow their elves to make “mischief” during the night, but that sort of undermines the whole naughty-or-nice aspect of the tradition, so Alice is pretty well-behaved. Anywho, here are a few of the ways my daughter has found her so far this year:

A substitute tree topper (with shades!).

With a little gift: Chocolate coins!

Out on a limb in the Christmas village.

The Elf on a Shelf – book AND tradition! — get a big RECOMMEND from me.

Check out what a few of my Bookanista friends are up to today:

Jessica Love delights in THE DISENCHANTMENTS
Stasia Ward Kehoe fawns over two favorite book blogs

Does your family have an Elf on the Shelf? What are some of your Christmas traditions?

Bookanista Rec: BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE

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I’ve got an oldie but a goodie for you… Today’s Bookanista recommendation is: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Because of Winn-Dixie

From Goodreads: Kate DiCamillo’s first published novel, like Winn-Dixie himself, immediately proved to be a keeper — a New York Times bestseller, a Newbery Honor winner, the inspiration for a popular film, and most especially, a cherished classic that touches the hearts of readers of all ages… The summer Opal and her father, the preacher, move to Naomi, Florida, Opal goes into the Winn-Dixie supermarket–and comes out with a dog. A big, ugly, suffering dog with a sterling sense of humor. A dog she dubs Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, the preacher tells Opal ten things about her absent mother, one for each year Opal has been alive. Winn-Dixie is better at making friends than anyone Opal has ever known, and together they meet the local librarian, Miss Franny Block, who once fought off a bear with a copy of WAR AND PEACE. They meet Gloria Dump, who is nearly blind but sees with her heart, and Otis, an ex-con who sets the animals in his pet shop loose after hours, then lulls them with his guitar. Opal spends all that sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends and thinking about her mother. But because of Winn-Dixie or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship–and forgiveness–can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm.

I recently finished reading Because of Winn-Dixie aloud to my five-year-old (on the recommendation of my CP, Temre Beltz — thanks, Tem!) and I’m not sure who loved the story more: my girlie or me. Protagonist Opal is just darling. She’s sweet and straightforward and open-minded. She’s curious and precocious, but she’s also desperately lonely. She has an intense desire to fit in, to make friends and find her place in the world. I loved Opal for her bravery and her inquisitiveness and her determination.

Loyal Winn-Dixie crashes (literally) into Opal’s life within the first few pages of the novel. Her world brightens immediately. Winn-Dixie brings change just by being his shaggy self. He’s the catalyst through which Opal’s horizons begin to expand. His wagging tail and cheesy doggy smile help Opal meet people and make connections and even address some of the issues she has concerning her estranged mother and her well-meaning preacher father. Pretty much everything Winn-Dixie did made me smile, mostly because he brought so much joy to Opal.

The new friends who enter Opal’s life throughout the course of this story are as colorful and special as Opal herself. They’re old and young, simple and educated, happy and sad (Otis is my favorite!). They’re a diverse bunch, yet through Opal and Winn-Dixie, they find common ground. The relationships Opal forms with her new friends are unique and beautiful. Each character is wonderfully flawed, allowing Opal to see that people shouldn’t be defined by their mistakes. They let Opal know them for who they truly are, and they teach her about herself in the process. Opal’s journey to self-acceptance and self-reliance makes for a captivating and uplifting story.

I recommend Because of Winn-Dixie to anyone who enjoys lovely writing and charming characters, and especially to those who love a middle grade novel that appears simple on the surface but hides a complex, intricately woven message within the depths of its pages. If you have a child in your life, read Because of Winn-Dixie aloud to him or her. You’ll be so glad you did! (Oh, and if you like films based on children’s literature, the movie adaptation of Because of Winn-Dixie is incredibly well done.)

Jessica Love rejoices over THE OPPOSITE OF HALLELUJAH by Anna Jarzab

Tell me: Do you have a favorite middle grade novel?

Bookanista Rec: NOBODY BUT US

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation: Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook (Expected Release: January 29, 2013)

Nobody But Us

From Goodreads: Bonnie and Clyde meets Simone Elkeles in this addictively heart-wrenching story of two desperate teenagers on the run from their pasts. They’re young. They’re in love. They’re on the run. Zoe wants to save Will as much as Will wants to save Zoe. When Will turns eighteen, they decide to run away together. But they never expected their escape to be so fraught with danger…. When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough. Nobody But Us, told in alternating perspectives from Will and Zoe, is an unflinching novel, in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, about survival, choices, and love…and how having love doesn’t always mean that you get a happy ending. 

Nobody But Us isn’t expected to release until January, but if any book deserves early buzz, it’s this one. Kristin Halbrook’s beautiful, heartbreaking, fearless tale of two damaged teens on the run is one of the best contemporaries I’ve read in a long time. And I read a lot of contemporary…

I’ll admit, when I saw mention of Bonnie and Clyde on the ARC cover, I was skeptical. This is YA and Bonnie and Clyde were legitimate criminals. How much trouble can Will and Zoe possibly get into? Uh, a lot, it turns out. Nobody But Us is intense, and Kristin Halbrook holds nothing back. Will’s backstory is one of the saddest I’ve read, and poor Zoe doesn’t know love until she meets this boy who wants nothing more in the world than to rescue her. They literally are on the run–from her father, from their pasts, and from the law–and they make some pretty terrible choices along the way. The crazy thing is this: I was rooting for them. Even in the midst of a multiple-state crime spree, I wanted Will and Zoe to persevere. Kristin Halbrook, through flawless character development and stark, elegant prose, made me believe that Zoe and Will deserved a happily ever after.

Nobody But Us is a roller coaster of emotions. Zoe and Will are both adorable, and both so very broken. But together they are whole, taking on the world that’s wronged them. Their devotion, while young and sometimes misguided, is palpable. They love each other deeply, sweetly, tragically, and the ferocity of their relationship had me at times laughing, cringing, and nearly in tears. I was both charmed and appalled by the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other, and even when they did horrible, deplorable things in the name of love, I got it, because their motivations were so strong, and their bond so unbreakable.

I’ll say one more thing about Nobody But Us: The ending… shocked me. It was courageous and heart-wrenching and unlike most YA endings. Yet, it was perfect for the tone of the novel. I’m STILL thinking about it.

Head to Goodreads now and add Nobody But Us to your To-Read shelf, and please pick this book up when it’s available early next year. I think you’ll  love it!

Check out what a few of my fellow Bookanistas are up to today:

Corrine Jackson adores ADORKABLE

Jesscia Love speaks up for UNSPOKEN

Tracy Banghart tells the truth about IF I LIE

What’s the best contemporary you’ve read lately? 

Bookanista Recommendation: THE DOLL PEOPLE

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Today’s Bookanista Recommendation: The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin, illustrated by Brian Selznick…

The Doll People

From Goodreads: A family of porcelain dolls that has lived in the same house for 100 years is taken aback when a new family of plastic dolls arrives and doesn’t follow the Doll Code of Honor.

And from Amazon: Annabelle Doll is eight years old-she has been for more than a hundred years. Not a lot has happened to her, cooped up in the dollhouse, with the same doll family, day after day, year after year. . . until one day the Funcrafts move in.

Today I’m shaking things up and featuring a super-cute chapter book. While young adult fiction has my heart, I read lots of picture books and chapter books with my girlie, and as a former fifth grade teacher, I’ve read countless middle grade novels. The Doll People is exceptional among books of any reading level.

I’ll admit, I initially picked The Doll People up because of the first-billed author: Ann M. Martin of The Baby-Sitters Club fame. I grew up reading and loving the BSC (Claudia was my favorite, naturally), but I had no idea that Ms. Martin continues to enjoy a prolific publishing career apart from her most popular (and probably mostly ghost-written) series.

I read The Doll People aloud to my daughter (who’s nearly five) and we both adored it. The story is quickly paced and charming, decidedly contemporary but with a delightfully timeless feel. A mystery involving Annabelle Doll’s Auntie Sarah carries the plot, and there are plenty of cleverly woven lessons about physical and “cultural” differences (these are dolls), following rules, true friendship, and finding the courage to explore new and sometimes scary avenues. The Doll People‘s illustrations (black and gray drawings by Brian Selznick, Caldecott-winning illustrator and author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret) are gorgeous and perfectly match the enchantingly magical quality of the story.

My girlie and I have already started the second book in this series, The Meanest Doll in the World!

Tell me: Have you read The Baby-Sitters Club books? Who was YOUR favorite sitter? 

Bookanista Recommendation: BITTERBLUE

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation: Bitterblue, by Kristin Cashore…

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm, #3)

From Goodreads: Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past. Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

I made no secret of my love for Kristin Cashore’s Graceling a few months ago. I never thought I’d say this, but I loved Bitterblue even more. This book… It wrecked me in every way possible. It made me laugh, it made me swoon, it made me angry, it broke my heart and, at times, it absolutely horrified me.  I can’t stop thinking about Bitterblue, even now, nearly a week after reading the last page.

Here’s why…

1. I found Bitterblue to be an utterly endearing protagonist. She’s easier to like than Graceling‘s sometimes abrasive Katsa (who I personally have nothing against), and her inner monologues are charming in their openness and honesty. She makes plenty of mistakes, is often naive and occasionally brusque , but she tries with everything in her to be the queen her people need. The opposition (both external and internal) Bitterblue faces over the course of this novel  is monumental–often soul-crushing–and while she reacts appropriately and relateably, she never gives in to the chaos and turmoil that’s thrown at her from every direction. Her determination and absolute loyalty to her kingdom and her friends make her an easy character to root for.

2. The world Kristin Cashore has created within the pages of her Seven Kingdoms books is so thoroughly developed, with such careful attention to detail, it almost feels real. I was completely immersed in the Monsea’s traditional clothing, food, customs, distinct patterns of speech, and expressions (incidentally, can we PLEASE make “Balls!” happen?). From Bitterblue’s lavish rooms, to Leck’s creepy castle artwork, to the seedy streets of Bitterblue City, this story’s world grabbed me and never let go.

3. Bitterblue is a visit with old friends. Katsa, Po, Raffin, Bann, Giddon, and Helda (among others) appear within its pages, which makes it an easy story for this Graceling fan to fall into. Everyone is eight years older, and it’s all kinds of fun to swoon over men in what is technically a YA story. And speaking of men… My love for Prince Po runs deep, but Bitterblue let me in on a whole new side of Lord Giddon. I’ve always favored the literary strong, silent type, and Giddon is those things and beyond. The gentle, caring way he interacts with Bitterblue is lovely, and I’m not-so-secretly hoping for a follow-up novel that offers more of his story.

4. There’s a scene in Bitterblue that takes place in the Lady Queen’s High Court. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that it features Bitterblue, Prince Po, and adorable thief Saf (who’s fantastic) and it is quite possibly my favorite scene in a book EVER. I read it at the park while my daughter played on the monkey bars, and I’m sure the parents in my vicinity thought I was crazy. I could not wipe the grin off my face. Bitterblue is a heavy book with very heavy themes, but this scene… It is so perfectly executed–clever and fun and rife with tension–I read it twice and still couldn’t get enough. (Is it just me? Those who know what I’m talking about: Did you love the High Court scene as much as I did?)

So, Bitterblue. I can’t say enough about this novel. In my humble opinion, it was just about as perfect as a story can get. If you haven’t read it, please, please, PLEASE pick it up soon. It’s most definitely going on my short list of favorites.

Here’s what a few of the other Bookanistas are up to today:

Tracy Banghart revels in GOING TOO FAR

Corrine Jackson wonders at WHY WE BROKE UP

Elana Johnson enjoys INSURGENT

 

Friends, have you read Bitterblue? Did you love it as much as I did?