Category: Great Books

What’s Up Wednesday

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I’m jumping in on “What’s Up Wednesday,” a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You’re invited to join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you.

Awesome, right? Here’s what’s up with me this week…

What I’m Reading: I recently finished Nantucket Blue by Leila Howard, which is sweet and romantic, a lovely summer read. I’ll be posting a Bookanista recommendation of it tomorrow, so check back in. I’m currently reading The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. It’s a beautifully written adult literary novel with an incredibly unique premise. I’m about 3/4 of the way through and I’m really enjoying it. Also, I must mention that yesterday my most anticipated 2013 novel, The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, came out in physical book form (it’s been available as an eBook for a while). I CANNOT WAIT to read it!

    

What I’m Writing: Jeez. Nothing. I haven’t touched my WiP in a week. *sad face* It’s been crazy around here. My daughter is getting ready to graduate from kindergarten and there have been lots of school-related activities to attend. Plus, some of our friends/neighbors are moving away soon and we’ve been trying to see as much of them as we can. Also, I’m beta reading a fantastic contemporary manuscript now and that’s taking up a fair chunk of time. There’s really no excuse for my WiP slacking, but yeah… It’s been a hectic week.

What Else I’ve Been Up To: My girlie performed in a guitar recital the other day and it was adorable! She played Lightly Row and Yankee Doodle and Rise and Shine, which she also sang along to. I love that she has not one iota of shyness when it comes to performing for a large roomful of people. Even as an adult, I’m terrified to speak in front of groups!

Just before the big recital…

What’s Inspiring Me Now: Ready. Set. WRITE!, the summer writing intensive I’m hosting with Alison Miller, Elodie Nowodazkij, Erin Funk, and Jaime Morrow. As you can see from the “What I’m Writing” section of this post, my writing habits need a good kick in the pants. I can’t wait to start summer off with a bang, and some serious WiP productivity. I’m so excited to become reacquainted with my characters and immerse myself in their story. I’m also excited to set some goals, and to write along with all of the other Ready. Set. Write! participants. 🙂

ready set write button

What’s up with you this week? 

On book propping…

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Recently Corrine Jackson, awesome author and fellow Bookanista, shared this video by YA author/vlogger Daniel Marks. In it, he speaks about “book propping,” which, simply put, is giving tons of support to a particular book or books. Often the books that are “propped” are ones that were bought with large advances and have considerable budgets for promotion. These are books that don’t necessarily need a lot of word-of-mouth hype, but seem to get it anyway.

I’ll give you a few minutes to head over to You Tube to check out the video because Daniel explains it all far better (and more entertainingly) than I do…

Basically, Daniel is saying: Let’s prop up the fantastic books, the ones we truly love, but may not have tons of money or marketing behind them. Let’s prop up the quiet books, the hidden gems, the beautifully written stories that are full of wonderful characters, but, for whatever reason, lack big buzz.

While I read and review plenty of well-hyped books, I do my best to spread the love for my favorite not-so-buzzed about novels as well. In fact, some of my very favorite young adult books are ones that don’t get talked about nearly enough (in my opinion): Saving June, Lovely, Dark and Deep, Chime, Moonglass, Impossible, Stolen, Something Like Normal, Wanderlove, How to Save a Life, and The Summer I Turned Pretty, to name just a few.

So… check them out!

And won’t you join me in propping up books that are excellent, but are missing out on big-budget promotion? Let’s show publishers that we like literary diversity, and that we like to have lots of choices when we enter a bookstore. Let’s help the authors who write the stories we adore. Let’s recommend their books. Let’s talk about why we love them, and help them find their way into the hands of new readers. Let’s create that whirlwind of excitement Daniel spoke about!

What book will you “prop up” today?

May Reading Wrap-Up

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I started May with an intense and incredibly absorbing fantasy binge, then moved on to an issue-based contemporary, and wrapped up the month with a gripping and very scary post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure. All in all, it’s been a month of fantastic reading. Here’s my wrap-up…

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta – Finnikin of the Rock is everything I look for in a story: a sweeping, sizzling romance, an intricately layered, breathtakingly twisted plot, unique and vibrant characters who leap off the page and demand that I  care deeply about them, and emotionality that is genuine and profound. A new favorite fantasy to add to my list. Finnikin of the Rock is a big ol’ recommend. My full review is HERE.

Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta – Though Froi of the Exiles was my least favorite of the Lumatere Chronicles, I still loved it. I didn’t care much for Froi in Finnikin (he does something really, really awful), but he managed to redeem himself against all odds. He became a narrator I adored, one who was easy to relate to and root for. And I loved watching his relationships with Quintana, Gargarin, and Lirah grow and change. Another recommend!

Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta – Quintana of Charyn is a stunning conclusion to an amazing trilogy. Despite its considerable length and complicated storyline, it is a fast read. I had a hard time putting it down, and when I did, I was still thinking about Quintana, Froi, Finnikin, Isaboe, Lucian, Phaedra, and the many other vibrant characters who populated this book and its predecessors. I’ll go so far as to declare Quintana one of the most gratifying finales I’ve read. My full review is HERE.

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher – The S-Word is very much an issue book. Suicide, homosexuality, date rape, child molestation, slut-shaming, bullying, and cutting are all given varying degrees of attention throughout the course of the story. My favorite thing about the novel is protagonist Angie’s voice. She reads as so spot-on eighteen, it’s hard to believe the author isn’t a teen herself. If you’re a fan of issue books with authentic teen voice, or of serious contemporary YA, you’ll probably enjoy The S-Word. My full review is HERE.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey – I’m so glad I bent to all the buzz this one’s been getting because the hype is well-deserved. As I recently mentioned, I’m not a big science fiction reader, but The 5th Wave may change that. This story is freaking amazing. Protagonists Cassie and Zombie are both completely real and totally awesome. The writing, the plot twists, the way everything — everything — circles back together… I can find no flaws within the pages of this book. I most definitely recommend it. To everyone!

Tell me: What’s the best book you read in May? 

Books are TOTALLY the new black!

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In case you haven’t heard, The Bookanistas are an eclectic group of YA and MG authors who review an eclectic assortment of YA and MG books. We only recommend books we truly enjoy, and we’re all about spreading kid lit love.

Ready for some amazing news?

The Bookanistas are in the midst of celebrating an epic relaunch! 

Our site has a fresh look, not to mention a new archive of past Bookanista recommendations. And some fabulous new reviewers have joined our ranks!

We thought it’d be fun to celebrate our relaunch with…

THE BOOKANISTA RELAUNCH GIVEAWAY OF AWESOME!

One lucky winner will score signed copies of these Bookanista-authored books…

IF I LIE and TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson (plus ARCs of JUST ONE DAY and SPEECHLESS)
LET THE SKY FALL by Shannon Messenger
BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart
POSSESSION, SURRENDER and ABANDON by Elana Johnson
TOUCHING THE SURFACE by Kimberly Sabatini (plus a swag surprise!)
BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris
AUDITION by Stasia Ward Kehoe
THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca (plus sweet swag!)
Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza
Level Two by Lenore Appelhans

And a second winner will receive a box full of these Bookanista-loved novels…

JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta
TAKEN by Erin Bowman
CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare
MONSTROUS BEAUTY by Elizabeth Fama
SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O’Connor
DITCHED by Robin Mellom
WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by John Green & David Levithan

(Because WordPress hates me and won’t allow me to inbed, please click on the below link to enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter.)

A Rafflecopter giveaway!

You can find lots more Bookanista Relaunch Book Love at our sites around the interwebs: Carolina Valdez Miller, Carrie Harris, Christine Fonseca, Corrine Jackson, Debra Driza, Elana Johson, Jessica Love, Kimberly Sabatini, Lenore Appelhans,  Nikki Katz, Rebecca Behrens, Shannon Messenger , Shelli Johannes-Wells, Stasia Ward Kehoe, Tracey Neithercott, and Tracy Banghart 

Bookanistas Badge FINAL

Feel free to grab our button and help us spread the word about the Bookanistas, and about the Relaunch Giveaway of Awesome! 

Bookanista Rec :: QUINTANA OF CHARYN

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation is Quintana of Charyn, the final novel in Melina Marchetta‘s incredible Lumatere Chronicles.

From Goodreads – Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi and his companions travel through Charyn searching for Quintana and building an army that will secure her unborn child’s right to rule. While in the valley between two kingdoms, Quintana of Charyn and Isaboe of Lumatere come face-to-face in a showdown that will result in heartbreak for one and power for the other. The complex tangle of bloodlines, politics, and love introduced in Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles coalesce into an engrossing climax in this final volume.

{In case you missed my review of Finnikin of the Rock, the first of three novels in the Lumatere Chronicles, you can check it out HERE. Mild Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles spoilers to follow…}

Since reading Finnikin, I zipped through Froi of the Exiles, which was wonderful but, as is often the case “middle” books, was my least favorite of the trilogy. When I finished Froi, I dove straight into Quintana of Charyn and read obsessively from beginning to end. In hindsight, I’m glad I waited until all three Lumatere Chronicles books were released before beginning to read them. This trilogy is complex; its cast of characters is extensive, and its plots are numerous and overlapping — I’m forgetful and I imagine I would’ve ended up confused if I’d had to endure a year between books. It was a treat to be immersed in this world and the lives of these characters for a few weeks, with no interruption or waiting.

Quintana of Charyn is a stunning conclusion to an amazing trilogy. Despite its considerable length and complicated storyline, it is a fast read. I had a hard time putting it down, and even when I did, I was still thinking about Quintana, Froi, Finnikin, Isaboe, Lucian, Phaedra, and the many other vibrant characters who populated this book and its predecessors.

The characters made this story for me; they kept me up late reading, and made me worry and wonder and smile and sigh. The way they loved each other, fiercely and unabashedly, made it easy to fall in love with them. I found each of the main characters (and there were many) to be distinct and flawed and brilliantly drawn, with redeeming qualities that made them absolutely endearing. The complexities of their relationships — extreme highs and intense lows — made them seem so real and accessible, even within their high fantasy setting. (And while we’re talking characters, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I ❤ Lucian so hard. He is such a man and I dig that.)

Aside from the characters, Quintana‘s plot (and the way it builds upon the plots of the previous books) is its greatest strength. There are many POVs and lots of crazy things going down, but the novel never read as convoluted or confusing. I attribute that to the tight and precise weaving of the story’s threads. I LOVE when random details sprinkled throughout a book reappear hundreds of pages later and become major elements in the story’s plot. Melina Marchetta is a masterful plotter (hello, Jellicoe Road), and the careful way she planned and executed the Lumatere Chronicles gave me chills many times over. Bits of information that seemed inconsequential in the first two books came together in the most satisfying way by the time Quintana of Charyn wrapped up. And, while we’re speaking of conclusions, I must say that Quintana did not disappoint. In fact, I’ll go so far as to declare it one of the most gratifying finales I’ve read.

I love this trilogy so very much, for its dynamic characters, sophisticated themes, and beautiful prose. I’ll recommend it up and down the blogosphere, but I think fans of high fantasy will especially appreciate it. Even if you’re not a big fantasy reader (I am not), please do give Quintana of Charyn and the Lumatere Chronicles a read. I think you’ll be glad you did.

A few related reads:
Lola Sharp’s review, which speaks eloquently to Quintana‘s mature themes.
Kat Kennedy’s glowing review — she’s a Marchetta fangirl like me!
Ten Reasons to Read the Lumatere Chronicles from Belle’s Bookshelf…
An interview with Melina Marchetta concerning the Chronicles from Hypable

And don’t forget to check out what my fellow Bookanistas are up to:

Elana Johson is enthralled by CROWN OF EMBERS by Rae Carson

Stasia Ward Kehoe is mesmerized by GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers

Christine Fonseca adores DEAD SILENCE by Kimberly Derting

Corrine Jackson revels in ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sara Dessen

Kimberly Sabatini is touched by TARNISH by Katherine Longshore

What are you reading now? Any recommendations?

Bookanista Rec :: FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation is Finnikin of the Rock, an amazing high fantasy by one of my very favorite contemporary authors, Melina Marchetta.

From Goodreads ~ Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not been home to their beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim: the heir to the throne of Lumatere, Prince Balthazar, is alive. Evanjalin is determined to return home and she is the only one who can lead them to the heir. As they journey together, Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. And that their cursed people will be able to enter Lumatere and be reunited with those trapped inside. He even believes he will find his imprisoned father. But Evanjalin is not what she seems. And the truth will test not only Finnikin’s faith in her . . . but in himself.

I’m a contemporary girl through and through, which is probably why fantasy is often a hard sell for me. When magic, invented languages, great battles, and epic journeys are involved, when there is a complicated map of an imagined world printed at the beginning of a novel, one of two things is sure to happen: I’ll end up so lost I don’t finish the book, or I’ll fall head-over-heels in love with every single thing about it.

When Finnikin came out a few years ago, I was under the (false) impression that it was a story aimed at the middle grade audience. I’m not sure why I thought that (it’s definitely not — I’ve since discovered that Finnikin is nineteen and this story’s themes are very mature). While I’ll give YA fantasy a shot (the romance!), MG fantasy isn’t usually my thing, which is why I never bought Finnikin. But it’s bothered me, not being a  part of The Lumatere Chronicles fan club, because I absolutely adore every contemporary novel Melina Marchetta has written. So, after listening to lots of bookish people rave about how fantastic Finnikin and its follow-ups are, I  decided to dive in.

I’m so glad I did. Like Jellicoe Road and Bitterblue and If I Stay, and Stolen, Finnikin of the Rock is one of those rare books that gave me physical reactions. Fifty minutes into a sixty minute elliptical workout (sweating my arse off!) Finnikin gave me chills — twice in a few pages. I had to continuously check myself while reading in public because, thanks to this story, I was constantly cringing or smiling or swooning. I even had to put the book down a few times because it was just so powerful. I ended up incredibly invested the characters, and I was terrified to read on and find out that something awful had happened to one of them.

Finnikin of the Rock is everything I look for in a story: a sweeping, sizzling romance, an intricately layered, breathtakingly twisted plot, unique and vibrant characters who leap off the page and demand that I  care deeply about them, and emotionality that is genuine and profound. Here are some of my favorite things about Finnikin of the Rock (as spoiler-free as possible)…

  1. Finnikin and Evanjalin’s banter, and the natural, astonishingly intense progression of their bond. 
  2. Finnikin’s relationship with both Sir Topher and Trevanion. So different, yet so heartfelt.
  3. Finnikin’s intelligence and sensitivity and selflessness, and his commitment t0 his peoples’ greater good. Same goes for Evanjalin.
  4. Trevanion’s backstory with Lady Beatriss. Romantic and heartbreaking.
  5. The complex Land of Skulendore — its diverse people and languages and landforms.
  6. Froi’s slow transformation. I was amazed by the way he grew on me.
  7. The magic. Curses and dreams and, sometimes, the unexplainable. It was all so clever, so creative, and so well thought-out.
  8. The writing. Of course. Melina Marchetta’s style is so evocative and compelling and seemingly effortless — enviable.

So, I have a new favorite fantasy to add to my list. Finnikin of the Rock is a big ol’ recommend. Oh, and yesterday I finished Froi of the Exiles, and it most definitely lives up to Finnikin’s awesomeness.

Have you read any of the Lumatere novels? Do you have a favorite fantasy to recommend? 

And don’t forget to check out what my fellow Bookanistas are up to:

Lenore Appelhans  is blown away by REBOOT by Amy Tintera

 Carrie Harris adores BEYOND DINOCALYPSE by Chuck Wendig
— with giveaway!

 Tracy Banghart  & Debra Driza join THE GIRL GUIDE
by Christine Fonseca book blitz!

 Corrine Jackson is stunned by BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

 Nikki Katz  wonders at THE GRAVE WINNER by Lindsey Loucks

 Gretchen McNeil talks TRUTH OR DARE by Jacqueline Green

 Elana Johson admires INSOMNIA by Jenn Johannson

 Tracey Neithercott celebrates THE YEAR OF SECRET ASSIGNMENTS
by Jacqueline Moriarty

 Rebecca Behrens is wowed by THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick Yancey

One Word Wednesday

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Fortunate
{I mentioned last week that we had to say goodbye to our loyal dog Lucy, which was a terrible experience. But, we still have Daisy, and we’re feeling very fortunate to have her wagging her tail around the house these days. She’s an old, tired lady, but she’s still up for walks and treats and snuggles. Lucky us.}

   Sad
{Speaking of Lucy, we’re all dealing in our own way. My husband left her a sweet message on our family chalkboard, and my girlie drew the most adorable picture of her at school. I got a little teary when I took it out of her backpack.}


Thankful
{It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! My daughter has a wonderful teacher and we wanted to do something nice to acknowledge all her hard work. I thought about sending an apple to school for her, but then I recalled my own teaching days and decided that Apple Strudel would be a much tastier after-work treat.} 


Fantasitcal
{This book is amazing. It’s taking me forever to get through  because last week sucked and I’m in the middle of a revision (that’s finally starting to take shape!), but yeah… I love Finnikin and Evanjalin. I love this world. I love Melina Marchetta’s writing. Recommend!}


Decadent
{Nordy Bars are one of my favorite treats. My mom used to make them at Christmastime, but they’re super tasty any time of the year. In fact, I made them for a barbecue last week and they got all kinds of compliments. Butterscotch, chocolate chips, marshmallows, pecans… What’s not to love?}

 
Diligence
{My little miss has been writing books these days, just like her mama. Usually she’s much more focused than me, but lately we’ve both been hard at work. My goal is to finish my revision this week. Then it’s off for a beta read. Yay!}


Gratuitous
{I know I’m *slightly* biased, but I think she’s pretty darn cute.}

Tell me: What have you been up to lately? 

April Reading Wrap-Up

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I read some fantastic books last month. Here are the best of the best (click on cover images for each book’s Goodreads profile):

Impossible by Nancy Werlin – I  have difficulties expressing how much I enjoyed Impossible, but truly, this book is fantastic. It’s a surreal sort of fairytale with a contemporary setting and wonderful, likeable characters. It’s such a romantic book, and there’s a curse that becomes a mystery to be unraveled. If you read Impossible solely to meet sweet and supportive love interest Zach, you will not be disappointed. My full review is HERE.

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller – Another military novel I was hesitant to pick up. So glad I did, though, because my love for Something Like Normal runs deep. Protagonist Travis is everything I look for in a fictional romantic interest. Tough, sarcastic, damaged, a little bit irreverent, but loyal and sensitive when it really counts. He’s a close second to Jonah Griggs on my Awesome YA Boy list. And Harper, Travis’s longtime crush, is adorable. I loved how she refused to take crap from him. Something Like Normal is one of my new favorite contemporaries… Recommend!

Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt – This book is an in-depth, unflinching look at what it’s like to live in protagonist Anna’s shoes. Throughout most of the story, she’s is just trying to survive. Yes, she makes some crappy choices. Yes, she sleeps with a lot of boys, and yes, several of them are one night stands. Yes, there were several occasions when I thought, Oh, Anna, don’t do that! But Anna has some  legitimate reasons for behaving the way she does. While I may not have been able to relate to her experiences,  I was certainly rooting for her to find happiness. My full review is HERE.


This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith – All kinds of adorable! A feel-good book that is unique in its genuine, unmanufactured conflict. Happy‘s romantic leads  are likable and show each other absolute respect — I totally understood their connection and it was easy to buy into their feelings for one another. I particularly loved the email messages sprinkled throughout the story, especially the ones at the beginning that gave us a glimpse into the earliest days of Graham and Ellie’s relationship. This story made me want to take a summertime trip to Maine with a swoonworthy movie star! 😉

Love and other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo –  A quiet novel that builds its characters and their relationships slowly. It’s the sort of book you don’t realize you’re falling for until you’re nearly done. In other words, Love is my favorite kind of story: slow-burn, full of longing and wit, populated by vibrant, dynamic characters, and with authentic voice that leaps off the page. Perfect for fans of contemporary YA, and especially those who remember those first feelings of unrequited love, appreciate nuance and authenticity, and enjoy an Aussie setting. My full review is HERE.

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting – I’m a fan of The Body Finder series and have been since I  read the first novel a few years ago — the premise is unique and very cool. I’ve heard Kimberly Derting speak at several events and she is delightful: smart, funny, and real. I’m not at all surprised that The Last Echo was a pageturner, but I am surprised at how fresh these stories continue to be. I’m not at all tired of reading about Violet’s “gift,” I love the creepy mystery element of each novel’s plot, and I continue to be captivated by Vi’s (steamy!) relationship with Jay. I’m very much looking forward to picking up the fourth book in this series, Dead Silence, which released last month.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire – My mom showed up at my house a few weeks ago with a copy of this novel. After she read it, she insisted I read it too. Her review was hot-and-cold and she wanted to know what I thought. My honest opinion: Travis is possessive and needy, and Abby is wishy-washy. The plot is rather implausible and occasionally slow. The conclusion of the story included some major eye-roll moments. And I definitely would not want my daughter to read Beautiful Disaster and think the relationships it portrays are in any way healthy. All that being said… Trav and Abby had amazing (albiet dysfunctional) chemistry. I was utterly entertained by all the angst in this novel. I flew through it in a weekend and I don’t regret a single second I spent reading. A sure sign of an enthralling story, right?

Check out what my fellow Bookanistas are up to today:

Jessica Love covets the cover of THE LOST PLANET by Rachel Searles
Tracey Neithercott is pepped about PIVOT POINT by Kasie West 
Shari Arnold marvels at THE REECE MALCOM LIST by Amy Spaulding
Nikki Katz delves into SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY by Susan Dennard

What’s the best book you read in April? 

Bookanista Rec :: LOVE AND OTHER PERISHABLE ITEMS

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation is
Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

I adore this cover.

From Goodreads: Love is awkward, Amelia should know. From the moment she sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It’s problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, is 15. Amelia isn’t stupid. She knows it’s not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia’s crush doesn’t seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together? Through a year of befuddling firsts—first love, first job, first party, and first hangover—debut author Laura Buzo shows how the things that break your heart can still crack you up.

I have blind faith in the ability of Aussie authors to write amazing  contemporary young adult novels. Melina Marchetta, Cath Crowley, and Lucy Christopher are a few of my favorite examples, and now I get to add Laura Buzo to my Awesome Authors From Down Under list. Her debut, Love and Other Perishable Items, is absolutely delightful.

Love is a quiet sort of book, one that builds its characters and their relationships slowly. It’s the kind of book you don’t realize you’re falling for until you’re nearly done. In other words, Love is my favorite kind of story: slow-burn, full of longing and wit, populated by vibrant, dynamic characters, and with authentic voice that leaps off the page.

Amelia is a sweetheart, and just as uncertain about life’s complexities as I was at fifteen. She’s smart and thoughtful and she knows what she wants — Chris — but she’s not exactly sure why she wants him, or what it would mean if she were to actually get him. And Chris, while idealized in Amelia’s adoring eyes, is simply a flailing, flawed, immature university student. But, flailing, flawed, and immature as he is, Chris is a charmer. He’s intelligent and fun, and he has an effortless way of engaging people. I understood why Amelia placed him on a pedestal, and I was totally engrossed in the saga of their complicated, somewhat lopsided friendship.

One of my favorite things about Love and Other Perishable Items is its ending. As the story began to wrap up, I desperately wanted Amelia and Chris to find happily ever after, even if their respective happily ever afters weren’t immediately intertwined. The story’s resolution is honest and realistic and hopeful all at once, and it left me wanting to check in with Amelia and Chris ten years down the line to see how their lives turned out.

Love and Other Perishable Items is the perfect book for fans of contemporary YA, especially those who remember those first feelings of unrequited love, appreciate nuance and authenticity, and enjoy an Aussie setting.

Don’t forget to check out what my fellow Bookanistas are up to:

Kimberly Sabatini wonders at WHEN YOU WERE HERE by Daisy Whitney

Elana Johson  falls for THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

Tracy Banghart  loves LACRIMOSA by Christine Fonseca

Corrine Jackson adores the ARCADIA BELL series by Jenn Bennett

Rebecca Behrens delves into CODE NAME VERITY by Elizabeth Wein

Lenore Appelhans raves about THE RULES by Stacey Kade

Stasia Ward Kehoe wraps up National Poetry Month with
THE POETRY TEACHER’S BOOK OF LISTS by Sylvia Vardell

Christine Fonseca  celebrates UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

Jessica Love hails THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE by Jennifer E. Smith

Shannon Messenger  discusses her recent reads…

Tell me… What’s the last contemporary YA you read and loved? 

Bookanista Rec :: IMPOSSIBLE

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation is
Nancy’s Werlin‘s modern day fairytale, Impossible

From Goodreads –Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that she is the latest recipient of a generations-old family curse that requires her to complete three seemingly impossible tasks or risk falling into madness and passing the curse on to the next generation. Unlike her ancestors, though, Lucy has family, friends, and other modern resources to help her out. But will it be enough to conquer this age-old evil? A beautifully wrought modern fairy tale from master storyteller and award-winning author Nancy Werlin. Inspired by the classic folk ballad “Scarborough Fair,” this is a wonderfully riveting and haunting novel of suspense, romance, and fantasy.

 One day about two years ago, the super nice girl who works in the new/used bookstore I frequented back when I lived in Washington raved about Impossible so enthusiastically, I ending up buying a copy of the book due to a weird sense of obligation — I guess because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Since then, Impossible has been been sitting on my bookshelf, untouched. The summary’s mention of the folk ballad combined with Goodreads whispers of elves and evil faeries and other such nonsense did not appeal to me much at all — until the other day, that is. I found myself feeling a bit of contemporary YA fatigue (shocking, I know) and picked up Impossible on a whim. A few nights later, I had the following conversation with my husband…

“Dude,” I said, slipping my bookmark into the center pages of Impossible. “I am having, like, a physical reaction to this book.”

Hubby pulled his attention from the TV to blast me with a dubious look. “Uh… What does that mean, exactly?”

“Well, my heart, for example. It’s all aflutter. And my stomach… It’s full of dreadful nerves. I feel so anxious and excited and afraid for these characters. This book is so good!”

“Oh, yeah? What’s it about?”

“Well… You’re probably going to think it sounds absurd when I explain it.”

“Try me.”

“Okay…” I searched for the right words, words that would communicate the awesomeness of Impossible. “There’s this girl,” I began, “Her name is Lucy, and she is so likable and relatable. Sadly, she is raped and ends up pregnant and finds out that her family is cursed by an Elfin Knight. Over the last several hundred years, every woman in her family — including Lucy’s mother — has ended up pregnant at eighteen, had a baby girl, and then gone crazy. Like, literally. Of course Lucy is freaked out, but she has these great, supportive foster parents and this amazing guy, Zach. Together, they figure out that they might be able to break the curse and defeat the evil Elfin Knight if Lucy can complete three seemingly impossible tasks named in this folk ballad that her nutty, bag lady mom sings all the time. Lucy is supposed to make this seamless shirt and sow this seaside land, all before the baby is born.”

Hubby stared at me with one judgmental eyebrow raised. “Okay, you’re right. That does sound absurd.”

“No! Maybe I’m not doing the story justice. It’s such a lovely, romantic book, and the curse, it’s this mystery that has to be unraveled. And Zach! He’s just so sweet and supportive and adorable. And then there’s the writing. It’s amazing. Seriously… why didn’t I read this book sooner?!”

“Don’t know,” Hubby said, turning his attention back to the TV. “Hey, look… Duck Dynasty is on.”

So, I might have difficulties expressing how much I enjoyed Impossible, but truly, this book is fantastic. It’s a surreal sort of fairytale with a contemporary setting and wonderful, likeable characters. If you read Impossible solely to meet Zach, you will not be disappointed. Recommend!

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 Have you read Impossible? Thoughts? Do you have a favorite modern fairytale?