Bookanista Rec: LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP

December 6, 2012December 6, 201212 Comments

{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?

Cover Reveal :: FAULT LINE by Christa Desir

December 3, 2012December 3, 201220 Comments

Today I have the great pleasure of taking part in the cover reveal of my critique partner and friend Christa Desir‘s debut YA novel, Fault Line (SimonPulse, November 2013).

Fault Line is my kind of book, and Christa is my kind of author. Bold and sharp and affecting, she’s not afraid to tackle the hard stuff, and she’s not afraid to push boundaries. It’s sort of funny that her work is so gritty, because she’s one of the sweetest, most gracious people I know.

Here is Fault Line‘s blurb, which makes me all sorts of heartsick…

Ben could date anyone he wants, but he only has eyes for the new girl — sarcastic free-spirit, Ani. Luckily for Ben, Ani wants him too. She’s everything Ben could ever imagine. Everything he could ever want.

But that all changes after the party. The one Ben misses. The one Ani goes to alone.

Now Ani isn’t the girl she used to be, and Ben can’t sort out the truth from the lies. What really happened, and who is to blame?

Ben wants to help her, but she refuses to be helped. The more she pushes Ben away, the more he wonders if there’s anything he can do to save the girl he loves.

And the cover…

Guys. I love everything about this cover, but particularly its spareness and its boldness. It stands out in a world of predominately girly YA covers, and it makes me want to look twice, then once more because it’s just so fearlessly striking (figuratively and literally, I suppose).

Congrats on a stunning cover, Christa! I can’t wait to see this book on my shelf!

Add Fault Line at Goodreads, and follow Christa on Twitter and at her blog.

Bookanista Rec: NOBODY BUT US

September 13, 2012September 22, 201215 Comments

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

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?

One-Word Wednesday

September 5, 2012September 5, 201224 Comments

Happy Wednesday, friends! Here’s what I’ve been up to lately…

Exploration
{Headed out to hike Big Sur.}

Flailing
{This is how all literary masters do it, right?}

Glorious
{Sunrise on my running route… Why I get up at 5 a.m. to pound the pavement.}

Veggie-licious
{I’m experimenting with a vegetarian lifestyle… It’s been almost two weeks, and I’ve only fallen off the wagon once (turkey burger at a barbecue). Despite that one little slip, I don’t miss meat much at all.}

Flora
{Everywhere! Our town has the coolest farmers’ market. Yesterday my girlie and I went and came home with plums, smoked salmon, avocados, fresh flowers, and that super cute, hand-knit hat she’s wearing. JUST what we needed!}

Charming
{Love Carmel by the Sea so much!}

Heart-wrenching
{This book yanked me out of my reading funk in a major way. I loved it SO MUCH. Seriously… I smiled, I swooned, I stressed, I cringed, I *almost* cried. I just wanted to hug Zoe and Will so much, and the final pages… CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT THEM. Add Nobody But US to your Goodreads shelf, and PLEASE pick this book up when it debuts in January!}

Sweet
{The girl and the Fudgsicle. :)}

Tell me: Now that summer is coming to an end, what will you miss most about the season of sunshine?

July Reading Wrap-Up

August 1, 2012August 1, 201237 Comments

And, my summer of amazing books continues. Here’s what I’ve been reading…

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama – A sophisticated, intricately told tale with something for everyone: A complex plot, multi-dimensional characters, a thrilling, chilling mystery, strong writing, a fresh spin on tried and true paranormal, a bit of history, and romance that will have you swooning. Full review HERE.

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore – I never thought I’d say this, but I loved Bitterblue even more than Graceling. This book… It wrecked me in every way possible. It romanced me, it made me laugh, it made me angry, it broke my heart and, at times, it absolutely horrified me. I can’t say enough about this novel. In my humble opinion, it was just about as perfect as a story can get. A definite favorite. Full review HERE.

The Doll People by The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin, illustrated by Brian Selznick – Quickly paced and charming, decidedly contemporary but with a delightfully timeless feel, and illustrations that are gorgeous and perfectly match the enchantingly magical quality of the story. Full review HERE.

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone – I’m a romance girl, so if I can fall for a couple, I usually end up a fan of the book. I thought Anna was a fantastic MC, and I found Bennett to be adorable. Their relationship developed believably (considering the absolute inconceivability of their situation), so I was rooting for them. I do wish Bennett’s love for music and the mystery of the “missing person” had been further developed, but I truly loved the ending of this book. Check out my interview with author Tamara Ireland Stone HERE.

*The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – This book was so unique in format (letters to an unnamed “friend”) and voice, it was nearly impossible to put down. The existing and emerging relationships felt genuine, and the characters leapt off the page, especially main character, Charlie, and his crush, Sam (played by Emma Watson in the upcoming movie!). If you haven’t read Wallflower, it’s a definite recommend!

*Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – I checked the audio version of this one out from the library and took it with me on a twelve-hour road trip. It wasn’t exactly a Katy Book (no romance, no butterflies, no kisses, TONS of battles and action sequences), but I can certainly understand why it’s become a classic. The writing is fantastic, the world-building exceptional, the depth of main character Ender and his plight astounding, and the ending… It’s one of those oh-em-gee! endings I love. Also, the audio version concluded with a long talk by Orson Scott Card about the history of Ender’s Game, the beginning of his writing career, and his thoughts on the writing process. It was fascinating.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – I heard about this book when my friend Elodie raved about it, and it’s very much a Katy Book. It’s an upper YA “romantic drama,” which is what I write and what I prefer to read. BUT… I think the romantic drama is also one of the toughest genres to pull off well. Huntley Fitzpatrick does so beautifully. Sam and Jase are freaking adorable, and they share tons of sweet moments and steamy kisses. Plus, Jase’s huge family is awesome, and enviable characterized. Another recommend!

And, last but not least, July’s Book of the Month: *The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart…

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks From Goodreads: Frankie Landau-Banks at age 14: Debate Club. Her father’s “bunny rabbit.” A mildly geeky girl attending a highly competitive boarding school. Frankie Landau-Banks at age 15: A knockout figure. A sharp tongue. A chip on her shoulder. And a gorgeous new senior boyfriend: the supremely goofy, word-obsessed Matthew Livingston. Frankie Laundau-Banks. No longer the kind of girl to take “no” for an answer. Especially when “no” means she’s excluded from her boyfriend’s all-male secret society. Not when her ex boyfriend shows up in the strangest of places. Not when she knows she’s smarter than any of them. When she knows Matthew’s lying to her. And when there are so many, many pranks to be done. Frankie Landau-Banks, at age 16: Possibly a criminal mastermind. This is the story of how she got that way.

I have to admit… When I read secret society and pranks in the jacket summary, my interest wasn’t exactly piqued. But, I love books set in boarding schools (hello, Jellicoe Road) and Frankie came highly recommended by many of my trusted YA friends, including Erin Bowman, Caroline Richmond, Copil Yanez, Ghenet Myrthil, and Sarah Enni. Turns out they were all spot on in their gushing. Frankie was so perfectly fun and bizarre, I couldn’t stop turning pages.

Frankie has a pitch-perfect YA voice (even though the story is told in third-person). Protagonist Frankie Landau-Banks is brilliant, dry, and witty, and she’s not afraid to take charge and go after what she wants. That said, she can be sort of thick and she makes plenty of mistakes over the course of her story. But, that’s what makes her so endearing. The best part of this book was how it ended. I won’t give anything away, of course, but I will say that when I read the final page, I felt like every character had experienced the consequences he or she deserved, and that the conclusion was handled realistically, but with the same intelligence and charm the rest of the book possessed.

If you’ve yet to read The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, I highly recommend you check it out!

Don’t forget to head over to YA Highway to check out other July favorites. 🙂

Tell me: What’s the best book you’ve read so far this summer?

*Gap Books

MAY I tell you something about Aria?

May 3, 2012May 3, 201223 Comments

Today’s Bookanista recommendation is Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, and to tie it in to Blog Me MAYbe, I’d love to talk about one of the story’s two main characters, Aria. First, a quick synopsis:

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky, #1)

From Goodreads: Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse. Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland – known as The Death Shop – are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild – a savage – and her only hope of staying alive. A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile – everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Let me be honest about Aria… I did not find her initially likable. When we meet her at the novel’s beginning, she’s naive and pampered and pretty helpless — although through no fault of her own. Aria is Aria because of her environment, the Pod she grew up in, confined and safe and clueless, and she appears to embrace that lifestyle. That said, there’s much more to Aria than meets the eye, and after life throws a few major curve balls her way, she starts to become a protagonist readers can believe in.

While Aria at first resists her new world and all its challenges, it’s not long before she takes initiative. She learns to feed herself and defend herself and, in the process, to be herself. She has a way of dealing with Peregrine, her “ally,” that I found very intriguing. Though they’re opposites in many ways, in several instances Aria seems to know intuitively exactly what Perry needs. Their relationship was balanced and grew out of respect, which made its progression a satisfying climb. The more Aria accepted her new world, and Perry, the more I grew to love her, until I found myself invested, rooting for her and thinking about her plight even when I wasn’t actively reading. Aria’s steep, authentic arc transformed her from a character I felt eh about, into a character I adored, a character whose story I can’t wait to continue reading.

And, if Aria isn’t enough to make you desperate to pick up a copy of Under the Never Sky, here a few more ways in which Veronica Rossi’s story amazed me:

1. Word-building – Thorough, creative, inimitable. There are so many thoughtful, unique details in Aria and Perry’s world.

2. Pacing – Unputdownable! A surprise around every corner…

3. Perry – Tortured, tough but secretly sensitive, courageous, intelligent and loyal. Oh, and he makes leather pants look good.

4. Prose – Straight-forward, yet elegant and descriptive. I found myself rereading passages because they were so beautiful.

5. The Spontaneous Kiss — Yes, it’s a thing, and it’s so sweet!

Please, please, PLEASE check out Under the Never Sky if you haven’t already!

Check out what my fellow Bookanistas are up to today:

Christine Fonseca revels in TO RIDE A PUCA

Stasia Ward Kehoe gushes over GILT

Tracy Banghart delights in THE DISENCHANTMENTS

Gennifer Albin celebrates SHADOW AND BONE

Jessica Love is wowed by YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT

Shelli Johannes-Wells is crazy for CLOCKWISER

Have you read Under the Never Sky? Thoughts?

E is for Eleanor

April 5, 2012April 5, 201235 Comments

Today’s Bookanista recommendation: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard (July 24, 2012)

Something Strange and Deadly

From Goodreads: Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—The Dead are rising in Philadelphia. And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor… from her brother. Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

There is so much to love about Something Strange and Deadly, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to give this book an early read. It’s a mash-up that shouldn’t work, an equation that looks something like this:

A scant pinch of historical + a few shakes of steam punk + a generous dollop of horror (spirits and zombies — oh my!) = Something Strange and Splendid

Eleanor Fitt is a fantastic protagonist: strong and smart and funny, definitely no damsel in distress. And Daniel! He’s equal parts hilarious and alluring. He and Eleanor have awesome banter. But my, do they have problems. Their world is falling apart around them, and they learn pretty quickly that nothing is as it seems. There are twists and turns and tremendously written action sequences around every corner, which made this book the best kind of page-turner.

One of my favorite aspects of Something Strange and Deadly was the way the elegant Victorian setting contrasted with the eerie creepiness of the Dead. It was a trip to be immersed in fancy turn-of-the-century customs in one scene, then, in the next, to be thrust into a spine-tingling supernatural confrontation. But it TOTALLY worked. Susan Dennard’s voice and style and attention to detail are amazing — perfect for this unique and suspenseful story. Definitely check out Something Strange and Deadly when it debuts in July.

Thanks so much to Holly Dodson for arranging the
Something Strange & Deadly ARC Tour!

Check out what my Bookanista friends are up to today!

Christine Fonseca is wowed by WANDERLOVE
Stasia Ward Kehoe reads for National Poetry Month
Tracy Banghart honors THE HEX HALL trilogy
Corrine Jackson is thrilled over A TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER
Hilary Wagner deems the DANNY DRAGONBREATH Series fantastic

Tell me: What’s your favorite scary story?

RTW: February’s Reading Wrap-Up and Book of the Month

February 29, 2012February 28, 201230 Comments

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where the girls at YA Highway post a weekly writing- or reading-related question for participants to respond to on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

This Week’s Topic: What’s the best book you read in February?

First, here’s my book wrap-up for the month:

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour – Love, love, LOVE. Technically my very favorite book of February, but I’ve already reviewed it for a Bookanista post so I won’t rehash today. Please do check it out HERE if you’re interested. 🙂

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard – (I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book and plan to review it in more detail closer to its publication date, July 24th!) Eleanor is a fantastic protagonist: strong and smart and funny, definitely no damsel in distress. I loved how the elegant Victorian setting contrasted with the eerie creepiness of the Dead. And Susan’s writing is awesome–perfect for this action-packed story. Definitely check it out when it debuts in July.

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf – An adult novel about the cost of secrets. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this one. While the writing is lovely, there are multiple POVs (some in first person, some in third person) and tons of backstory. There were also a few plausibility issues I just couldn’t wrap my head around. Still, an intense climax and a well-executed twist tipped the balance of my opinion and I did end up enjoying the story. I recommend it if you like books in the same vein as Jodi Picoult’s.

And February’s Book of the Month: Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

Ditched: A Love Story

From Goodreads: High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her. Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom. And then ditched her.

First, I love Ditched‘s cover so much. Such a fun, cheeky twist on the ever-so-popular melancholy girl in a super elegant dress. And the model looks just the way I pictured the story’s protagonist, Justina. Another plus? This cover totally relates to the story, and the dress’ image is carried throughout the pages of the book. Genius.

I have to admit: I was a little hesitant about Ditched when I first read the story synopsis. I thought this one might have the potential to come off as young, or maybe a little cheesy. Thankfully, that was so NOT the case. Ditched is about teens acting like teens. Yay! And Robin Mellom has a fantastic authorial voice, a style that’s one of my favorites–genuine, funny, straight-forward, and unflinchingly honest.

I could not help but smile as I read about Justina and her prom shenanigans. The people populating her world felt real and were full of quirks and imperfections, even will-they-won’t-they romantic interest Ian. But, flaws and all, Justina and her cast of supporting characters are inherently likable, as was this book! I highly recommend it if you’re in need of a smart and funny contemporary.

Tell me: What’s the best book YOU read in February?

Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest DAY FOUR

December 30, 2011December 30, 201127 Comments

Today is the final day of the The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest, a fun and interactive way to highlight and share your favorite YA novels, covers, characters, and story elements, hosted by Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and me. The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest spans four days, beginning December 26th and culminating today, December 30th.

Hopefully you’ve been participating throughout the week, but if not, that’s okay! Just draft today’s post (you can find the topics listed below or on the original post) and then scroll to the bottom of THIS post and add your link to the link list.

I’ve had so much fun dropping by the participants’ blogs this week, and I look forward to stopping by your blog to read about your Class of 2011 selections today!

And speaking of selections, here are mine for Day Four:

Best in Show

Again, my books published in 2011 Reading List:

Crossed, The Future of Us, Hushed, Want to Go Private?, The Scorpio Races, The Pledge, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Chain Reaction, Forgotten, Notes From the Blender, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Ripple, Hourglass, A Need So Beautiful, Chime, The Day Before, Forever, Moonglass, Beauty Queens, Boyfriends With Girlfriends, Forbidden, Wither, Divergent, Invincible Summer, Trapped, Where She Went, We’ll Always Have Summer, Cryer’s Cross, Across the Universe, Desires of the Dead, Lola and the Boy Next Door, Imaginary Girls, and The Liar Society

And my favorites in the way of Best in Show:

Favorite Cover – I think the cover for Hourglass by Myra McIntyre is beautiful. I love the movement, the graceful point of the model’s foot, and her unusual hair color. I also love the title font. Honorable Mentions: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children because it’s eerily intriguing, and Beauty Queens because it’s graphic and cheeky.

Cutest Couple – Luke and London from Cat Patrick’s Forgotten are so freaking sweet. Their relationship boasts mutual adoration, tons of respect, and a big dose of fun, too. While Forgotten‘s plot is engaging, it was Luke and London’s interactions that snagged my attention and kept me reading for the duration of this novel.

Most Likely to Succeed (Or, pick a Printz Winner) – Are you guys getting tired of hearing about Chime yet? Clearly Franny Billingsley’s novel had a huge impact on me. Of every book on my 2011 list, Chime is the one that, in my humble opinion, most exemplified literary excellence in young adult literature. Honorable Mentions: Divergent, The Scorpio Races, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone for their unbelievably thorough world-building and beautiful writing.

Most Likely to Make You Miss Your Bedtime – Veronica Roth’s Divergent is everything a page-turner should be. I was so connected to Tris and Four’s story, and so drawn in by their world, I could NOT put this book down. I still recommend it to anyone who asks for a great YA book or a fantastic dystopian read.

Best Repeat Performance (Favorite sequel or follow-up.) – An easy choice: Gayle Forman’s Where She Went, or My Most Anticipated Sequel EVER. Love the emotional intensity of this book, and I love how Adam and Mia’s story concluded.Honorable Mention: We’ll Always Have Summer. Belly totally ended up with who I wanted her to end up with!

Romance Most Worthy of an Ice Bath – Harlin and Charlotte from Suzanne Young’s A Need So Beautiful. These two are adorable, and they have chemistry that seeps through the page. Then there was that scene… you know, the one with the fancy dress and the–ahem–wall. Honorable Mention: Violet and Jay from Kimberly Derting’s Desires of the Dead. They’re hot too. 🙂

Pair Most Likely to Stay Best Friends Till They’re 80 – Josh and Emma from The Future of Us. We’ve seen the future (thank you, Facebook!). We KNOW they’ll stay friends!

the-future-of-us-book-cover

Breakout Novel (Favorite Book by a Debut Author) – Yep, Divergent again. This book rocks. Obviously. Honorable Mentions: Moonglass and Across the Universe. I honestly had a hard time believing Jessi Kirby and Beth Revis were debut novelists after reading their first books!

Best Old-Timer (Favorite read of the year, published BEFORE 2011) – Another easy choice. I read Jellicoe Road this year and it broke me. Never have I envied another writer’s storytelling skills the way I envy Melina Marchetta’s, and never have I fallen so fully and completely for two characters as I did for Taylor and Jonah. Such an amazing book–a definite favorite!

Most Likely to Make a Grown Man Cry – I have it on good authority that “animal books” make men emotional. Take Where the Red Fern Grows, for example, or Stone Fox (hell, Stone Fox made ME cry!). That’s why I have to go with The Scorpio Races. The bond between Sean and his horse Corr is enough to make any man (anybody) weepy.

Most Pleasant Surprise (Book you didn’t think you’d like, but totally did.) – Laini Taylor’s The Daughter of Smoke and Bone, for sure. As a rule, I don’t like fantasy, and I definitely don’t like “angel” books. Plus, the mention of teeth in the back cover synopsis totally skeeved me out. I was wrong, of course. I ADORE this book.

Most Creative Use of a Love Triangle – The “triangle” in Ally Condie’s Crossed is pretty lopsided (Cassia’s not really wavering in who she wants), but there’s an element of loyalty and romance between both she and Ky, and she and Xander. What I love about this triangle is how it’s used in plot twists and in the bigger picture of what’s going on within the Society. Win.

Sleeper Hit (Book I found so awesome I wish it had been hyped more) – Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma. This book was a trip. I wasn’t quite sure what was real and what wasn’t, and I didn’t know what to think about Ruby (or Chloe or London, for that matter) until the very end. Plus, the writing was, as I’ve mentioned, gorgeous.

And now it’s MY turn to pick a superlative! Leave me a note in the comments telling me your:

Most anticipated 2012 YA release…

I’ll tell you mine next week, and I’ll post about your selections. 🙂

And if you’re participating in the Class of 2011: YA Superlative Blogfest, please click on the image below to drop your link:

Bookanistas Recommendation: BEFORE I FALL

November 10, 2011November 10, 201122 Comments

Yay! Today is my very first book recommendation since joining The Bookanistas. So excited to share my thoughts on Lauren Oliver’s debut novel Before I Fall with you…

From Lauren Oliver‘s website: What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life? Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Okay, so I know I’m a little late boarding the Before I Fall boat (this book was published March, 2010, FYI), but I did have my reasons:

1) The Buzz – Everyone and their brother read Before I Fall and loved it. I’m weirdly hesitant to jump into books that everyone raves about. More often than not, I end up disappointed.
2) The Premise – While intriguing, it initially struck me as a tad… boring. I mean, the same day seven times? Eh.
3) The Length – This book is a monster. Heavy and long and hardcover. A little daunting.

But… a few months ago I came across a copy of Before I Fall at my local new-and-used bookstore and decided to buy it, mostly because it seemed like one of those books every aspiring YA author should own. Well. Let’s just say I’m SO glad I did, and do! Those three reasons I listed above, the ones that so eloquently explain why I was holding off on Before I Fall? So, so stupid because…

I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Like, really, truly, added-it-to-my-all-time-favorites-bookshelf loved it. If you’re slacking on reading Before I Fall like I did, I highly recommend you remedy that. Here’s why:

1) Voice – So flawlessly teen, and it reads as effortless. Sam says what needs to be said. She doesn’t mince words, and she sounds like a real, cool teen. Not once did I find myself pulled out of the narrative because the voice fell flat or didn’t feel realistic. If you’re looking for a study in authentic teen voice, this is it.

2) The High School Experience – While I obviously adore YA literature, I don’t normally fall for stories set IN high school (unless it’s a boarding school–different story). The whole homework/teacher/switching classes thing usually isn’t for me. But Lauren Oliver’s depiction of Thomas Jefferson High School was fascinating, and so true to life. The dynamic of the “haves” and “have-nots” was never cliché and–alarmingly enough–reminded me very much of my own high school, right down to the Valentine’s Day flower exchange.

3) Pace – Remember how I thought the same-day-seven-times idea might read as boring? It doesn’t. Not at all. Before I Fall never rehashes the same incidents. Sam makes different choices from day to day, changing the course of events each time, thus keeping me completely engaged (turning pages frantically!) through seven relatively long chapters.

4) Friendship – Sam and her three best friends are popular. Boys want to date them; girls want to be them. They can do whatever they please at Thomas Jefferson (and they pretty much do), but that power doesn’t make these girls totally unlikable. Their redeeming quality, for me at least, is the strength of their bond. Their undying loyalty to their foursome, right or wrong, through each girl’s flaws and personal struggles, was captivating and endearing.

5) Kent – A quirky, unique, absolutely charming love interest. He helped me see the real Sam, the girl he so obviously adored. I was rooting for Kent from the moment I was introduced to him, and not just because he wore checkered shoes.

6) Character Arc – Before I Fall has one of the clearest, steepest character arcs I’ve read. Sam and her friends don’t start out sympathetic. In fact, they’re selfish and petty and mean, complete bitches, really. And Sam falls pretty darn far before she begins her slow, pothole-filled climb toward decency. But she does grow, and her growth is believable and enviable and absorbing. Even though the book didn’t end the way I thought it would, I felt satisfied and fulfilled and proud of Sam upon reading the last page.

So, in case I haven’t been clear enough about my love of Before I Fall, I recommend it up and down and all around, and I look forward to reading more of Lauren Oliver’s work.