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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YA fiction: best read yet

Sea of Tranquility 

Katja Millay

Atria Books, June 2013

To add any further acclaim to the responses this novel has gathered would be redundant, at best. I'm glad this blog considers what's different about the books I review -- because that is a much more entertaining consideration than looking for fresh ways to say that this is the best book I've read in a long time.  I don't particularly go for teen angst, and the dark, brooding and self-destructive characters aren't usually my type. But in this novel, they work and they work extremely effectively.

Millay self-published this book in September this year, and the response in the few months since has been amazing -- so much so that Simon & Schuster/Atria contracted with Millay to re-release it in June 2013.  

The book cover on Millay's first release was that of coins in a fountain -- so much more meaningful and aesthetically "right" than the black-and-white version from Atria's release.

But readers have much to be thankful for: that Millay even wrote the book, that NetGalley has been able to provide advance digital copies, and that eventually there will be print copies available.

So, what's different about this book?

An easy question to explore, because I simply had to ask, What really made this story special to me? The strongest quality was the instant and abiding connection between the two main protagonists:  both wounded, both emotionally fragile, yet both strong characters that were even better when they were together. 

The writing is so beautifully crafted that there was never a point during the read when I was aware of reading through someone's authoring. Character development was skillful and effective; and the actions of the characters within the plot line were spot-on. 

One thing different from most books I guide my readers to: the strong, explicit language. To a certain degree, the profanity and potty language add authenticity to the teen voices. But at a few points, the language detracts by drawing the reader's attention away from the story. 

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

Aaargh.  This is the great frustration with this particular work:  I have to wait until JUNE 2013 to share the print edition with my students. Too cruel: I know of at least 7 students for whom I would immediately buy a copy and put it in their hands. 

I can share with my patrons who have their own e-reader devices, but I have a problem with questions of equity: Why should only patrons who can afford e-readers have access to a great book?

So yes, I'll buy print copies for my school library collections -- and I'll hope I still can still connect the book with the readers that need it by next August when school starts. 

And for my patrons with e-reader devices, and for my libraries that actually circulate such devices pre-loaded, we'll be pushing this title for the great read it offers.

And I have yet to read such a PERFECT ending sentence to any book as this novel offered. Way to go, Katja!

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ebook series: Encounters with Jesus

The Skeptical Student 

Tim Keller

2012, Penguin Group / Dutton 

In author Tim Keller's works, I listen for the transcendent: where does he speak truth that is unexpected and counter intuitive to most Biblical teaching? Sermons and books are made of words: where are those that are just too predictable, and where are those that are life-changing?

In this first in the "Encounters with Jesus" series of essays, Keller is challenged by two obstacles: a largely unbelieving audience and the brevity inherent in a speaking / essay format.

Despite these limitations, the familiar experience of Keller pulling me out of my complacency continues. There is truth to be heard in this essay that defies the ephemeral nature of the ebook format planned for the publication of his 2012 Oxford, English lectures.

What's different about this item? 

Keller is noted for his straight talk, his reasonable thinking, and his balanced awareness of the perspectives of both "believers" and those who do not accept the traditional Christian line. This short work continues those qualities: both believer ad skeptic alike will be able to follow Keller's story and logic and consider a response.

What will I do now that I have read it?

Without fail I find Keller's work (whether written or spoken) to be of great benefit to Christians examining how they live. This particular essay, and probably those that will follow in the series, are equally compelling. But while I would purchase a print copy for my libraries in a heart-beat, I still have to work out the logistics of e-book materials in a lending library situation. 

I do think the essay length of this work will draw readers, who might hesitate to take on a full-length work. A solution for ebook circulation continues to be a quest.

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