June 2013 Reads

Thirteen fantastic reads for the moth of June:

Collage details from top to bottom, right to left: THE 5TH WAVE by Rick Yancey, GIRL OF NIGHTMARES by Kendare Blake, SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo, FOREVER TOO FAR by Abbi Glines, DESTROY ME by Tehereh Mafi, CEASELESS by Abbi Glines, REBOOT by Amy Tintera, THE TAILOR by Leigh Bardugo, THE WITCH OF DUVA by Leigh Bardugo, SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo, THE TOO-CLEVER FOX by Leigh Bardugo, DOUBLE CROSSED: A SPIES AND THIEVES STORY by Ally Carter, and THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE by Jennifer E. Smith.

WHAT GREAT BOOKS DID YOU READ IN JUNE? 

My Review: FALL FOR ANYTHING by Courtney Summers

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

From the author of Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are comes a gripping story about one girl’s search for clues into the mysterious death of her father. 

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

My Review:

FALL FOR ANYTHING delivers the same raw and honest writing style we're used to seeing from Courtney Summers, as she yet again tackles an intense subject that many authors tend to shy away from.

This time, our MC Eddie, has just lost her father to suicide. Her mom has succumbed to a deep bout of depression, and her mom's best friend, Beth - who Eddie can't stand - has moved in to help.

Then there's Eddie's own best friend, a boy named Milo, who's in love with another girl. And she might just be taking him away from her.

One of my favorite writing nuances of Summers', is that most all of her MC's are plagued with some tiny quirk. In CRACKED UP TO BE (probably my favorite of her novels), the MC Parker Fadley suffers from anxiety-ridden finger snapping, which was incredibly well written and such an important flaw to her character. And this time in FALL FOR ANYTHING, Eddie believes her hands are dying - and throughout the novel, constantly complains about how she can't feel her fingers, or how cold her hands are...even though she admits later on, that she knows it's all in her head.

As Eddie struggles to understand why her father would kill himself, she questions everything - including her potential role in pushing him over the edge. So much to deal with at the age of seventeen, yet nothing is held back throughout the pages.

I love reading powerful and emotional writing like this and I'm not surprised that yet again, Courtney Summers has nailed it. I highly recommend all of her books - as you can tell, I am a huge fan. And I definitely can't wait to get my hands on her upcoming release, ALL THE RAGE, when it debuts early next year.

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My Review: CRACKED UP TO BE by Courtney Summers

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her conselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there's a nice guy falling in love with her and he's making her feel things again when she'd really rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she'd turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.

My Review:

I was so impressed by Courtney Summers YA zombie release, THIS IS NOT A TEST, that I decided to back-track and get all of her books, starting from the beginning.

And CRACKED UP TO BE? Yeah, this one did not disappoint.

The MC Parker Fadley is insanely well written, from her anxiety-ridden finger snapping, to her issues with alcohol. The moment she stepped on the page, I knew I'd love this character.

And the supporting cast, well, they rounded out the story perfectly. The annoying wannabe Becky, so desperate to take over the pedestal of popularity that Parker has gladly jumped from. Her ex, Chris, who's still madly in love with her and quite possibly will never stop feeling that way, regardless of who else he's with. And of course, Jake - the new boy at school - who has absolutely no idea what he's just stepped into, but doesn't seem to care. Even the relationship with Bailey, Parker's newly adopted dog, played a pivotal role throughout the story - one I'll admit, I may even have shed a tear or two over.

Courtney Summers has a knack for voice, making you feel every word you're reading - and all while moving you along quickly. Each character had a reason for being there. And I loved how she injected flash-backs all along the way, which in the end, wove together and told the whole truth about what really happened.

CRACKED UP TO BE was definitely on the darker side of YA, tackling several tough subjects from start to finish. It was well written and oh-so spot on. And I loved it.

This is a definite must read if you're looking for the honest truth about some of the things that really happen in high school. I'm a fan, Ms. Summers, without a doubt.

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RTW: Best August Read(s)

It's Road Trip Wednesday time - and today's topic:

WHAT WAS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ IN AUGUST?

I was fortunate to read some really great books this month: 

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Jennifer E. Smith

SUCH A RUSH by Jennifer Echols

MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

THIS IS NOT A TEST by Courtney Summers 

But my absolute, hands-down, favorite? 

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson

I think it might even make the cut for my most favorite of all of 2012!!! And you can read my review here. 

I've got some great reads coming up for September - because yes, I made another visit to Barnes & Noble last weekend, and picked up TEN more books!!! So what's coming up next?

Currently reading SECOND CHANCE SUMMER by Morgan Matson

But I've also got ENDER'S GAME, ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, CINDER, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, CRACKED UP TO BE, SOME GIRLS ARE, WHAT I DIDN'T SAY, and DON'T BREATHE A WORD. Plus many, many, MANY, more!!!

So, what was your most favorite read in August?  

My Review: THIS IS NOT A TEST by Courtney Summers

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

My Review:

Man I love anything Zombie. And I mean LOVE.

Carrie Ryan's series? Love. THE WALKING DEAD? Love. I AM LEGEND? Love. THIS IS NOT A TEST? Holy WTF Batman?

The last twenty pages alone, I just about fell out of bed while reading it. Courtney Summers did NOT hold back in those last few pages. And I mean AT ALL.

The beginning may have been a tad bit slow for my zombie tastes, but once it started going, it never stopped. And all I kept thinking was what I would do if I were stuck in Cortege High School. Then again, if I were stuck with Rhys, it might not be so bad.

Then the story unfolded and it was exactly how I would've imagined it would be, if the world was suddenly taken over by zombies. Mass hysteria. A frantic search for refuge. Never being alone.

Especially that last one.

And normally you read about how slow zombies are, dragging a foot behind them. Slugging along with their arms outstretched, moaning. Zombies that aren't smart enough to climb over a fence. Or open a door. But what really did it for me, is that the zombies in THIS IS NOT A TEST were fast. They actually ran. And I think that scared the crap out of me. Something that could actually keep up? So. Not. Cool. Ms. Summers. Not cool at all.

Okay, you know I loved it. Really.

And the external battle wasn't the only one our MC Sloane was up against. Deeply flawed with her own personal demons, she struggled between fighting and giving up. In fact, all of the characters had their own issues, each bringing something different to the table.

In the end, I'll say I thoroughly enjoyed THIS IS NOT A TEST. And as sick and twisted as it sounds, I love a book that can make me pull my foot in from hanging off the edge of the bed. Or close my closet door. Or jump when my dog's ears perk up at a strange noise in the house. And THIS IS NOT A TEST? Yeah, it didn't disappoint. 

My Review: THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

My Review:

Hands down, one of the most beautiful novels I have read. Ever. I absolutely loved THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE. And without a doubt, this gets my best read for 2012. It definitely has made my top 5 of all YA.

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE was filled with such raw emotion, as Lennie deals with not only the death of her sister, but living life without ever knowing her birth mother. And then there are the two boys, Toby and Joe. One who wanders just as lost as Lennie does, trying to find his place in the world without Bailey. And one who makes her realize that life does move on, even when it's stopped for someone else.

The secondary characters - Gram and Big - both offered truly unique anchors for Lennie. Gram, who became the mother she didn't realize she had. And Big, offering his words of wisdom in a powerful, yet subtle way.

Exquisite writing that painted a world full of grief and sadness and ultimately, how finding happiness is a possibility.

Jandy Nelson is an author who writes words every writer dreams of writing, but very few seldom do. I am overwhelmed by this story, almost breathless. It was simply amazing and I loved every single word.

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Have you read THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE? What did you think?