Fresh new YA vampire series -- Action!

Rival
Lacy Yager
Aspendawn Books
Dec 2013

A new approach to a young adult vampire story: The focus is on action, and the story engages the reader fairly quickly.  With a great kick-butt female lead (expert in martial arts) and a likeable male lead who is equally compelling, the story sets off quickly and develops the scene for the plot quickly.  Family figures strongly in the equation, and the reader will be pulling for --and empathizing with-- the characters drawn by the authors.

What's different about this book 
A fresh approach to how vampires and humans co-exist (or don't) in Yager's world.  While the conflict in this story shows only the Chasers killing vampires, the series itself involves good and bad within both the human and vampire communities.
      The novella format serves to introduce the reader quickly to the Unholy Alliance context while providing an entertaining short story from that context.  This will be an easy sell to young adult readers who appreciate action and drama, but don't need the angst or extreme language.  There's a clean but convincing romance that tops off this enjoyable, strong plot-driven story.

What I'll do now that I've read the book 
The dilemma for series books often is the Kindle-only novella that adds information about the series. My libraries don't use Kindles, but we'll advertise the availability of this addition when we book talk the titles in the Unholy Alliance series.  As a result of my opportunity to review these titles, we have purchased the print titles in the series and look forward to sharing these with our readers. I predict high demand.

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Short stories for Christmas -- and more books to come

A Christmas to Remember
authors Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon, Marilyn Pappano, Kristen Ashley, Jill Shalvis
Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
December 2013

It's snowing outside, cold, and in the shut-down of the day, this compilation of short romance stories was a quick and pleasurable read.  The NetGalley version that I read also served to promote some full-length books soon to be released.

What's different about this book?
Anthologies are always fun -- you get some reading you like, some you love, and new authors you didn't know. 

What struck me as different was the promotion of the new books coming: a chance to read excerpts of the authors' new titles (Pappano, for example, has her new book coming out in February).

What I'll do now that I've read this
I'll move on to the next book in my to-read list.  Nothing here for my various libraries, so this reading was more a personal pleasure read. Great if you like themed collections of stories.

 

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A fun children's read: a strong heroine who finds she has magic!

Rose
by Holly Webb
SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky

September 2013

I always know a book is exceptional when I find myself anxious to return to it as soon as my chores are done. Rose is one of those outstanding books.

The story involves an admirable and empathetic heroine, who knows her place (rare these days) but who understands the responsibility that may come with her gifts.
A great story line provides creative tension and a challenge that echoes with the reader who will readily engage with the characters.

What's different about this book

Rose is an orphan -- but she isn't an object of our pity. She cares for those around her, and she makes her way forward in the world, confident that working hard and doing what is right will get her where she wants to be: just normal.

The Victorian setting --but in a world where "magics" are a fact of life-- makes Rose's tale all the more intriguing. The author deftly develops a realistic, straight-forward plot that has Rose discovering her own powers in a tingling, fun read.

With enough dramatic build-up to entertain and engage older elementary-aged children, this is an accessible and engaging read that all we adults can readily recommend to our readers, reluctant or not.
 

What I'll do now that I've read the book 

This is definitely a library priority purchase. I will have copies in all my elementary libraries, and I will encourage a lot of my middle-graders to enjoy it as well. A fun, just-right, intriguing read. Thank you, Ms. Webb, and thanks to SOURCEBOOKS for the opportunity to enjoy this! (I understand this may become a series? Very cool.)

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A sweet story -- but there are better

The infinite moment of us 

by Lauren Myracle
ABRAMS / Amulet Books 

August 2013

This is a gentle tale of decisions about life made upon graduation from high school.  The usual terms apply:  coming of age, learning of sexual intimacy, making one's own choices in the face of parental disapproval.

What's different about this book

I'm always hooked when the male protagonist is hopelessly in love with the female lead from the very beginning. Charlie loves Wren and always has.  And Wren is the perfect gentle, wants-to-be-good high school graduate.

But this is not a powerful plot line, and there are no transcendant ideals that would inspire young adult readers. Graphic sexual relations may put off some readers, and the lack of a compelling purpose to Wren and Charlie's lives leave this a pleasant book that doesn't really go anywhere.  I would have loved to see Wren's instinct to make a difference to others in important ways be developed into something great -- rather than serving as a bump in the road to the romance.

The theme of family is a strong one: Charlie's experiences with foster families makes the unquestioning support and love  from his current family a meaningful and encouraging element of this story.  Steadfast love is a rare quality, and this element of the book allows this portion of the story to shine.

What I'll do now that I've read the book 

I always tell my readers not to settle for good: there are too many excellent books out there.  This particular title is a good read, but not a must-read.  I appreciate Abrams offering me the opportunity to read this in advance, so I can be knowledgeable in speaking with my young adult readers. 

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Excellent historical perspective on early Christian period in Palestine

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
by Reza Aslan
Random House, 2013

This new book brings a vivid and fresh perspective on a time period that few of us are really familiar with.  The bibliography alone is a treasure: wide and expansive resources offer more information than any single book could hold.

What's different about this book 

My understanding of the nuances and contexts of the early church and the first century in Roman-occupied Jerusalem grew amazingly.  The narrative is engaging and the perspectives are fresh and enlightening. An excellent historical read.

What I'll do now that I've read the book 

Having fully enjoyed the historicity of the book, I can not support it for spiritual growth. Author Aslan has done meticulous research and offers both an ending chapter with his discussion and an extensive bibliography. But in conclusion, what he offers is his personal collation of a variety of opinions and conclusions. An excellent resource I can recommend to individuals who already hold a mature and examined spiritual stance, but not something I will offer to those seeking to grow in their spiritual faith.

I am grateful to Random House Publishers for allowing me an advance look at this resource.

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Old and New together

Far Far Away
by Tom McNeal
Random House Children's Books
June 2013

Think Grimm's fairy tales: Hansel and Gretel, long ago, far away, ghosts and murder, definitely anachronistic.

Now think today's young adult literature: coming of age, making your way, establishing identity, and getting the girl.

Spin those two perspectives together, and you get an intriguingly distinct read that combines a contemporary setting (set in some time similar to today, and definitely in the United States) with the intrigues and dangers of Grimm's sterner European tales. 

Fun!

What's different about this book?
I've read young adult books with ghost stories, and I've read historical suspense, but I've not come across such a skillful and effective blending of the Grimm perspective with contemporary teen fiction. The story is somewhat disorienting at first, but the end result is a charming read about protagonists who are winsome, realistic, and good -- and facing evil as old as time. 

What will I do now that I've read this book?
This title definitely goes on my purchase list for my school libraries.  I can't wait to try to explain its setting and plot to my patrons. This is a fun read that invites mental engagement to cross the incongruence in periods of time and perspective.

I'll also be sharing it with my Summer Reading groups:  the local public library, the local schools' staff reading challenge, and my own #bookaday reading. Great stuff -- fresh, compelling, and intriguing.

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Coming of age, being part of family

My One Square Inch of Alaska: A Novel
by Sharon Gwyn Short
2013 by Plume
 
Beautifully set in the late 1940s, early 1950s, this book represents fairly accurately the feeling of those years and how folks thought and moved and related.
 
Ms. Short has given us an insightful look at adolescence in a dysfunctional family -- at how family members deal with issues and each other. While I didn't always enjoy the first portion of the book, the focus narrows, the characters deepened, and the plot line seemed to pick up and hold my attention.

The quest to allow the younger brother Will to officially claim his prize in Alaska is particularly intriguing -- and I speak as someone who generally doesn't enjoy quest literature.

What's different about this book?
The evocative setting gives an authentic feel for the early 50s and the ways life was different then. And the story of Donna and how she is both boxed in yet set free during those years and in those positions is a compelling read. 

The ending comes abruptly, but it ties up the story -- and it answers the inevitable questions about what happened to the protagonists.  A very satisfying conclusion.

What will I do now that I have read the book?
This will be a great historical fiction for my young adult readers who need realistic fiction set in a not-too-distant time. We will be adding several copies to our high school libraries.

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An irresistible read

Stonefly
Book one of the Jacob Duke series
Scott J. Holliday
Haley Road Publishing
June 2013

I never say this, but here it's true:  There are no flaws in this book.

The writing is top-notch: well-crafted character development, quick-to-make sense plot lay-out, and a magical way of setting a firm, fixed universe within which the story unfolds. Somehow all the rules of the game fit and make sense ... and come together to create genuine suspense.   

It is realistic fiction -- except that Jacob is the son of a successful business woman and a genie. So he bears the genetic curse of being bound to grant true wishes that he hears people utter. Or someone dies.

What's different about this book?

It is amazingly and intricately crafted.  The writing is superb, and the reader feels immediately that he is in the hands of a master author.  There's no weakness of narration. The story line is cohesive and compelling. This is the best-written book I've read for as far back as I can remember.

The killer writing comes with an amazingly interesting story line. Win win.

What will I do now that I've read it?

This book holds universal appeal for all the libraries for which I purchase and recommend.  My young adult readers will be hooked by the plot line and the suspense. Well, that is also what will hook my adult friends.  But they'll also be surprised at how well the story is written.  

I'm more excited about this series than I have been about any ... ANY ... that have made it big in the past years.

Mr. Holliday, how quickly can you write the books that follow?

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Authentic voice in a teen romance

The Kissing Booth
Beth Reekles
Random House Childrens Publishers UK
April 2013

So, Beth couldn't find a book online that she liked.  So she wrote her own.

This puts a fun spin on a novel that is fun to read -- but portends greater things to come as the author matures. 

A teen romance, written by a teen, carries an authentic tone to it that makes the read immediate and absorbing.

What's different about this book?
The author, Ms. Reekles, is seventeen.  And there's the point of difference: the routine, the fun, the crazy actions in the book reflect the routine, fun, and crazy action of real teenagers. And the wisest actions in the book -- reflect the wisdom of a teenager. That means the wisest thinking and the most mature perspective in the book will be that of a seventeen-year-old. Because no one can conceive beyond who they are.

So mistakes that Elle makes (and makes again!) are those of an adolescent. And that was really frustrating for this adult reader who thought, "Duh. You made that huge mistake once. Why would you do so again??" 

But it was a fun read -- something like the cotton candy that shows up a couple of times in the story. Fluffy, ephemeral, and a little sweet.

What will I do now that I've read it?
But hey, I like sweet in a world where abuse and profligacy and crudeness tend to reign. I appreciate knowing a book that I will be able to recommend (over and over again) to kids who are the same age and time period as Ms. Reekles.  Definitely chic lit -- but largely wholesome in the values and relationships that are solid and represent parents that are present and concerned. There is a somewhat blasé attitude towards teen sex, but most teens will recognize that and form their own attitudes.

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For a different audience

Levitating Las Vegas
Jennifer Echols
Threshold, Pocket Books

May 2013

A good read. Not a must-read but still interesting.

Holly has the ability to levitate both herself and objects and people in the world around her. But her parents drug her so she won't be aware of her ability.  Turns out she's not the only one.

Holly is something of a normal adolescent and then young adult -- that is, sometimes ditzy, petty, and impulsive. But the story of her affinity for Elijah from 9th grade on is constant and unswerving. This particular story resolves satisfyingly but is obviously the first of a series. The more interesting characters and developments may lie in the books that follow.

What's different about this book 

There is often a correlation between the age of the protagonists in a novel and the age of the intended reader. If true in this case, Levitating Las Vegas is the first book I have read that was targeted for early 20-somethings and college-aged readers. 

And the setting --  Las Vegas! What a ripe venue to show a behind-the-scenes story of what business as usual looks like.

What I'll do now that I've read the book 

Of all the l libraries I work with and purchase for, this age range is not one of them. Since it's not a compelling read, I don't think I have anyone that I will be sharing it with.  That's not intended to say it's not worth reading.  It's just not a must-read.

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Compelling YA series

Dare you to
by Katie McGarry
Harlequin, May 2013

I would have said that I don't "do" YA fiction that develops through flawed characters and dysfunctional families. Yes, I like my fiction entertaining and peaceful.

But McGarry's new series (book 1, Pushing the limits, this book 2, and coming soon, book 3, Crash into you) is changing all that. Abiding love, strong and faithful relationships and support -- I'll try dysfunctional, and love it!

What's different about this book
Beth is a flawed heroine, the victim of believing herself to be responsible for the adult in her family. She learns to love herself; she also comes to believe that others can love her as well. The development of Beth's character from the first book through this one is compelling and heart-warming. Somebody loves her and she comes to believe "happy" is possible.

Cover art to the contrary, the books in this series treat teen sexual relationships with respect, and promiscuity is not idealized. Strong values and high ethical standards prevail. Gotta love that. (I will quickly admit that the cover designs for the first two books in the series both hooked me in -- and made me cautious. But we do judge a book by its cover, and the writing inside justified the high expectations of the cover.)

What I'll do now that I've read it
I began by immediately putting this book on my pre-order list for my school libraries. I have also book-talked it three times in the last 20 hours (since I finished it). My only regret is that I don't have 5 print copies to immediately hand to my avid YA romance / real life readers.

 I will also fight those fellow readers to be the first to read the new releases:  I love the way one books completes the story of the previous title in the series by having those same characters show up again, in their resolved situations, to inform the following story. Great stuff.

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Campus life and love

True

by Erin McCarthy
PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW

May 2013

Fucking awesome!

If reading that bothers you as much as it bothers me to write it, then you may want to pause before committing to this book. There are prevalent crude language, references, and situations.

That said, though, this is an awesome story -- just not one I'm comfortable recommending to readers who prefer less offensive language and less graphic relationships.

McCarthy's characters and their relationships pull you in to the story. It's a strong example of friendships and family supporting each other.  And the meaning of the title of the book just makes it all the better -- best fun story I've read in a while!

I seldom am able or WANT to read a book in one sitting, but I did this -- and it was well worth my time.  Great, endearing read and a very satisfying (if implausible) ending.  As a parent I wanted to tell the kids to wait, and re-think. But as a reader identifying with the protagonists, I was happily smiling when the book came to an end.

What's different about this book

It is SUCH a feel-good read. The guy is strong and true; the girl is honest and intelligent. Great relationship.

I'm definitely reconsidering my understanding of what college and university life looks like today. I don't want to think the scenes in this book are typical. Rather I suspect this book exaggerates reality in many ways -- but probably comes closer than I would have expected. I enjoyed the reading; just don't want to think this is normal.

What I'll do now that I've read the book  

I'm not comfortable recommending this to any of my library environments. It's a great read, but the language and graphic view of life itself puts it beyond conventional materials that a professional librarian can share with others.  Even for my peers, I would hesitate to recommend it based on the raunchy language. But it's a great read.

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A fresh take on teen adventure

A Shimmer of Angels
Lisa M. Basso
Month9Books, January 2013

An intriguing new series with a nice change in the supernatural focus: angels. And a whole range of angel types with those wings. There is some romance, some murder-mystery, and some compelling relationships among the characters.

Rayna sees wings ...  attached to living beings. And she is unsure just how sane that makes her. 

Basso has started a great series with enough complexity that there may be a sustainable story line across more than one or two books. Rayna's loyalty to friends, her love for her sister (sometimes straining the reader's credulity) and the dynamic complex of interaction with the angels she is inexplicably able to see, all work together very well to make an engaging read.

The plot line is not as cohesive as I would like: some twists in the plot and setting seem to lack enough foreshadowing to make the line credible. But this should tighten up as the series builds -- definitely worth waiting for.

What's different about this book? 

No one believes Rayna actually sees angels -- even the angels themselves, at first. So this provokes an interesting situation that Basso uses skillfully. I wanted to know the context for Rayna's ability, and I wanted to see where the author would go with that kernel of an idea.  I liked where the book took me, and I'm looking forward to the coming titles in the "Angel Sight" series. Fresh and intriguing.

What will I do now that I've read this? 

My young adult readers will be equally intrigued, I think, so I'll be purchasing this for my high school library network and talking the title to my readers and colleagues. Nice touch in this fresh story line.

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Poignant and Powerful: Calling Me Home

Calling Me Home: A Novel
by Julie Kibler
(February 12, 2013) St. Martin's Press

An elegant, compelling story of an independent teenager who views her world through objective glasses -- and forms a deep and abiding relationship with an admirable young man who looks different from her.

The story line is accessible, and it's kept moving forward by the juxtaposition of two separate stories in alternating chapters. The 1930's tale of Isabelle and her Robert is told against the story of present-day Dorrie, a single mother who carefully balances the line between black and white to make her way, and to guide her children, in the Dallas-area setting.

The predominant point of view of Isabelle, an adolescent, will engage teen readers as well as adults -- who will understand Dorrie's caution and concerns about life and parenting.

For those who have read The Help? this book has a similar message --life shouldn't be seen, and people shouldn't be judged, based on skin color or other externals. But this book is better.

What's different about this book 

Shorter, more concise, blended with a modern day setting where we see that racism isn't just something our parents and grandparents dealt with, Calling Me Home wraps its story around the reader and stays long beyond the turning of the last page. Vivid characterization, accessible and engagingly told, the reader develops an empathy for multiple characters, each of whom tug on the heart strings.

What I'll do now that I've read the book 

This title deserves all the exposure it can be given, and it will definitely appear in my high school libraries for students who may read it for the history or the romance but who will gain a new perspective on equality and equity.

Adults will find the book equally engaging. And it is wholesome, yet realistic, and universal in its message. 

Great read: a lot of pathos, deep emotions, and a satisfying, if bittersweet, conclusion.

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