52 Books In A Year

This will be reviews (hopefully weekly) of my resolution to read 52 YA books in a year!

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This is getting serious! Doctor Who is now in Round Three of LeakyCon's Fandom Madness tournament! 

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This is getting serious! Sherlock is now in Round Three of LeakyCon's Fandom Madness tournament! 

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This is getting serious! Disney is now in Round Three of LeakyCon's Fandom Madness tournament! 

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[yabookaweek]

This Star Won't Go Out - Esther Earl

Being a nerd fighter I knew the story of Esther, I knew what to expect coming in to this book.  I knew to expect feelings and sadness and happiness and just so many things.  I felt them all.  Reading a young girl's diary, along with notes from her parents, friends, family, doctors, and people she looked up to was inspiring, eye opening and a peek in to someones amazing soul.  

I grew up not far from where Esther did, I spent a lot of time (for different reasons) at Children's Hospital Boston, I knew some of the same team, I knew the ER staff, I knew those halls she and her family roamed.  I know the places they were and the things they did.  I know first hand the miracles those teams can work.  I knew for me, it was going to be hard to read, but I never expected it to be THAT hard.  It was reassuring that someone like Esther had a lot of the same feelings I did (guilt, anger, anxiety, desire to withdraw from life, yet a desire to live every moment, wanting people to know you, but not your illness.)  I was reliving my diagnosis, my treatments, my emotional battle.  I am sad that Esther didn't get more time, I am sad that the miracles those amazing doctors were able to work were short lived.  I feel lucky that mine have worked for longer.  I am always angry when people die so young, in high school I lost a friend at Children's...Meghan, she was also 16.  I was angry then, I am still angry now.  I am happy, however to see what a difference Esther made in the world, and how the team in Boston gave her more time, time to make her impact.  

Esther was brave, she was loving, she was scared, she was angry, she was HUMAN.  So many times when we read about cancer, when we read about people who are sick they are this...other version of a person.  We never see ALL of them.  Through Esther's journals and her friends and family we see Esther the person, not Esther the cancer patient.  For this, I am beyond grateful, because NO ONE should ever be reduced from PERSON to just patient.

Read the book, don't read the book, but know that Esther was and is made of Awesome.  Her legacy is made of Awesome and in her name her family, friends and nerdfighteria will continue to make awesome happen.  (Seriously, read the book.)

[yabookaweek]

Two Boys Kissing - David Levithan

I rarely have a desire to write in my books, to mark them in any ways.  I just, want them new and pristine all the time.  However, everything I have ever read by David Levithan makes me want to write in my books. To pull out quotes, these books, they get under my skin, they get in to my heart.  They often leave me screaming "THAT'S ME" or crying, or laughing.  Two Boys Kissing, was no different.  I love the narrator in this book, I love how it is written from those who have passed, from those who know.  I love how it chronicles so many stories that are the same, yet completely different.  Since the book is fairly new, I won't spoil it for you, but it is a book about many many gay boys.  Their story isn't their sexuality, but their relationships, their love for others, for themselves, for their family.  It covers topics like suicide, break ups, AIDS, family rejection, it's heavy, but amazing.  It is beautifully written, it is real, even when reality can be ugly, it doesn't sugar coat that.

Below are some quotes I loved.

"Our happiness had defiance, and our happiness had fear" (pg. 6)

"Love is so painful, how could you ever wish it on anybody?  And love is so essential, how could you ever stand in its way?" (pg. 9)

"Ignorance is not bliss. Bliss is knowing the full meaning of what you have been given." (pg. 11)

"When you need to hold on to something, you should.  Whatever gets you through, take it." (pg. 120)

[yabookaweek]

Fangirl- Rainbow Rowell

I am BROKEN.  Completely and utterly broken.  As one of my friends says "She (Rowell) comes from the writing school of Peter Van Houten"  I thought she was kidding.  NOPE!  Yes the book ends, it ends in a wonderful place, and even though I knew the end was coming (I read paper books so I can see and feel how much I have left) I was so unprepared.  With about 50 pages left I am texting people going...I AM NOT GOING TO LIKE HOW THIS ENDS.  THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PAGES LEFT.

So...okay...without being too spoilery (because I do try to be spoiler free) this is a story about Cath, Wren, Levi, Reagan, and the people in their universe.  Cath...okay Cath is me (minus the internet fame, cuz really...no) I am invested in the love lives of fictional characters, I kind of avoid people, I hid...sober in my dorm room.  I just, being in fandom, being involved in fandom for a LONG time, I identified with her so much.  Anyways, this story follows Cath through her freshman year of college, of her ups and downs and even her sideways moments,  It is amazing and heartwarming, it is inspiring and frustrating.  I just want to hug the book for a few hours and read it again.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE (really times that by infinity and you'll get my point) how absence of family, religion, and mental illness are all dealt with.  It's real.  It's how people experience things.  It doesn't get glossed over.  Some people (like Laura) can't deal with heavy stuff, or aren't cut out to be parents.  Some kids, like Cath are unforgiving, and some, like Wren give second chances.  Some people we love have a bit of crazy in them, wether in bi-polar or something else, and that is okay.  They can still be successful, they can still have careers and families.  They can function and be part of society.  Their life isn't ALWAYS defined by their illness and that is AMAZING to see.  So often the character is their illness and nothing more.  It just made me SO happy.  

I love seeing female characters stand up for themselves, and boys explain that they don't mean to keep a woman down or insinuate they can't do things because of their gender.  I love that Levi is like NO I NEED to do this for me.  This isn't about you, this isn't about your gender, this is about how and who I am as a person.  Like feminism is a thing, and yes equality I am ALL for it, however, part of that equality is BOTH sexes being able to do anything and everything THEY want and THEY choose.  (That is another rant for another time, but Rowell just handled this SO well and it made my heart happy.)

There are SO many things I love about this, and I think once I think some more (I finished within the last hour) I may write more on this.  HOWEVER, if you haven't read anything by Rowell this should be a book you read...NOW.  If you are in fandom, read this, you will fell like you are home.  You will want to be best friends with Cath.  

Thank you Rainbow for the most amazing read I have had in quite awhile.

[yabookaweek]

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (pseudonym for JK Rowling)

When I was in high school I was obsessed with mystery and crime novels.  Then I went to college and fell in love with the classics, ya and fantasy.  I hadn't picked up a true mystery/crime novel that has held my attention in years.  I bought The Cuckoo's Calling after it was released that JK Rowling wrote it, and I did so because I love her to bits.  I wasn't expecting to fall in love with this book because well, it isn't my preferred genre.  That said...

AMAZING.  SERIOUSLY AMAZING.  Trigger warning: it talks heavily of suicide and mental illness.  I had some trouble reading it because of this, I had to take a few breaks, but oh my Rowling it was amazing.  Cormoran is just...he is the kind of guy you just want to know and be around.  Robin reminds me myself when I was younger.  These characters have such amazing and full lives.  They are well developed, they have personal and professional lives, we have some back story on everyone and just, you want to know most of them.  I won't spoil t his, because I know so many people cannot get their hands on it.  It is AMAZING.  The next installment is rumored to be coming out next summer and I will be pre-ordering for sure.

Rowling writes this tale with so much conviction, you can just see and feel what all the characters are going through, you can picture yourself running through the streets of London with some of these people.  We've all seen the rich and famous, it could be any of them.  It...it leaves you wanting so so much more.

[yabookaweek]

Invisible- Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Today was a 2 book day.  That never happens, but when I couldn't fall asleep I picked up Invisible, and just couldn't put it down.

If you like paranormal romance, this is so for you!  Stephen is Invisible (legit) and Elizabeth...well she wants to be, and her brother Laurie...well he's amazingly written and a true hero.  I love Laurie as a character the most, it is so WONDERFUL and REFRESHING to see a gay character whose identity isn't just "the gay one" he is a hero, he is strong, he is grounded, he is NORMAL.  His plot line doesn't revolve around his sexuality which so often happens with gay characters in books.

So Stephen is invisible because of a curse, no one has ever seen him, until Elizabeth.  The rest of the story is them trying to reverse his curse, maintain a relationship, stay alive, and just be teenagers.  It is wonderful, well written, refreshing, and just...AHHHH!

Anyways, so yeah, another LOVE from me.  I love everything David Levithan has done, so it wasn't a huge surprise, but I am not a paranormal romance lover, and I couldn't put the book down.  Honestly, I would love to see a sequel.

[yabookaweek]

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks- E. Lockhart

Another book I read in just a day!  This was amazing, and wonderful, it was hopeful, tragic, inspiring and just silly.  While I didn't get full on feels it was a beautiful book about Frankie, who just wanted to figure out who she is and where she fits in her private boarding school.  She wants to be noticed, she wants people to stop underestimating her.  She wanted to be involved and included and not half-way, but ALL the way.  There is a bit of Frankie in all of us, and I love that about her character.

We all know guys like Matthew and Porter too, and we all know girls like Star.  We all were in high school where we wanted to be cooler, more popular, more involved, just MORE.  Even as adults, we feel these things.  While this is intended to be a YA book it easily crosses that gap and can be enjoyed by adults.  Granted it would be more for nostalgia, but we were all there at some point.

I was left wondering what was next for Frankie...only to answer that myself with "anything she wants."  It really is perfect.

[yabookaweek]

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl- Barry Lyga

I hate writing reviews of books I don't fall in love with.  I want to fall in love with every book I read, because every book is worth reading.  However, I just, I struggled through this.  It is the story of high schoolers, specifically 3 of them and their adventures in navigating high school.  I normally LOVE these books, it talks about comics, cons, being an outsider, trying to fit in, but not really caring...everything I love in a book, and everything I feel like everyone can somehow identify with.  

BUT

This is a GIANT but, there was a LOT of talk about school shootings, fantasies, but still.  I feel like in light of recent events, it really hindered my ability to enjoy this book.  I will say I am seriously biased.  I love dark humor, and darker novels, because life isn't always light and fun, but just too real for me.  

I also couldn't identify with the characters, they were TOO drastic for me.

I just...I can't personally...I just don't even know.

[yabookaweek]

I am such a slacker

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

*WARNING: THIS BOOK WILL INDUCE FEELS*

I was going to bed 3 hours ago...I am now sitting here with tears.  I just...I can't even put in to words how amazing, smart, funny, and heartbreaking this story is.  I just...ugh...it is amazingly perfect.  It explores the insecurities that both genders suffer from, bullying, pre-conceived judgements, love, high school, and just so many REAL things.  It makes you CRAVE this happy ending, but...well...sometimes life gives you that, sometimes it doesn't.

So many of my favourite books deal with characters who feel they are too broken to be loved, they feel they are time bombs for one reason or another.  This book has that too, and I don't know why I am so drawn to it, I mean sure I can identify with that, but at some point in their life hasn't everyone felt like that?  I tell myself regularly I don't care if I find love, I would settle for a few good friends, then I read things like TFIOS or E&P and I realize how wrong I am.

If you want an adorably heartbreaking story that is so well written, with characters who jump off the pages, go...read this.  If you want your feels in tact...I suggest a picture book :P

ETA:

I woke up thinking about this book today, I had trouble falling asleep thinking about this book.  I just...it is such an amazing love story and such a reflection on our current society.  Sure there wasn't an LGBTQ couple wandering about, but a ginger and an asian, if those aren't both minority groups...well heck!  Plus I just can't get over how in tune I felt with BOTH of the characters even though they were so vastly different.  They both were fighting their own desires versus their parents, they both wanted to appease their parents, but at the cost of themselves.  It's just SO PERFECT.

[yabookaweek]

Speaker For The Dead- Orson Scott Card

I've had this book in my car for months, reading a bit here and there, while waiting in hospitals and at doctors visits.  Today I decided to sit down and REALLY read it.

OH MAN.  Now, I don't like Card's personal/political/religious views.  Let me just state that to start with.  In his old age he went INSANE Christian where he HATES everyone.  This book, however, was from before that stage, and has a love and accept everyone feel.  It talks about questioning the church, faith, knowledge, science, all of it!  It's amazing.

So this is the sequel to Ender's Game (I am SO pysched for the movie btw!!!)  Anyways, it continued on after that story ended, and your favourites do show up alone with a whole host of new characters.  Honestly, I am still trying to process it, but it was amazing and did NOT go in a way I expected at all.

If you liked Ender's Game you NEED to read this one.  *pets book*

[yabookaweek]

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin

I have had this on my to read shelf forever, but been avoiding it.  Honestly, reading the back it seemed like a disappointment waiting to happen.  I love being surprised by books, and man was I ever!  I picked it up when I couldn't read hoping it would put me to sleep, instead I stayed up until 3am to finish it!  It was well written, with amazing well rounded characters, full of emotions and so engaging.  When It ended I was sad and wanted so much more!  I sat there looking at the last page wondering where the rest of my pages were, I kept hoping another chapter or two would appear!

This is a story of Naomi, who suffers a head injury and awakens with amnesia.  Upon waking up she was suffering from amnesia.  She had to reajdust to her normal high school life, without knowing who any of her friends are, or her boyfriend, or her interests.  The readjustment leads Naomi to become a much different person which tests the limits of her friendships, and even her relationship with her parents. 

I really don't want to tell you much more, because it gives away a lot of the novel, but it is a must read.  Just be prepared for the feels!

[yabookaweek]

Bermudez Triangle- Maureen Johnson

If you guys have read any of my other reviews, you know I LOVE MJ.  This is so different from her Shades of London series, and so different from the Little Blue Envelopes book, and Suite Scarlett.  Maureen tackles teenagers discovering their sexuality, coming out, and dating.

The story focuses on 3 girls, Nina, Mel and Avery.  They have been best friends for their entire life.  Nina goes away to a pre-college thing for the summer and Mel and Avery are left home to work and entertain themselves.  The novel follows all three girls, their adventures, their friends, their love lives and their families.  It is an amazing and beautifully written story of female friendships.  It shows how strong and resilient these young women are.  Maureen, as always leaves you wanting more.  Not more in the sense that things are missing, but you want to know what happens after the book ends.  The characters are so well rounded and relatable, yes even Nina is relatable. 

I really think this is MJ's most underrated piece.  I devoured it in one evening, and was left thinking about it the rest of the night.  I love finding new LGBTQ books that are well written and realistic, and MJ hit it on the head with this one.

[yabookaweek]

Wednesday Wars- Gary Schmidt

So this is really more of an MG book than a YA.  It was mis-shelved as I found it in YA.  So needless to say I was slightly disappointed, but it was a decent quick read.  Not something I would run around raving about though.

This book centers around a 7th grade boy named Holling Hoodhood.  It is in the mid 60's in New York during the height of the Vietnam war.  Holling doesn't really fit in anywhere.  His school is split between Jews and Catholics, and he, well he is Presbetyrian.  So on Wednesday afternoons when the groups are shipped off to their places of worship for religious education, Holling is left at school with his teacher Mrs. Baker who he is convinced hates him.  The story follows Holling and parts of his family through the school year, as the world changes, his family changes, Mrs. Baker changes, and even Holling changes.

Now I don't want to say the book is bad, I am sure it is great for it's intended audience.  I just...well it wasn't for me.  It was a bit slow in a lot of places, and I found I couldn't relate.  Honestly, I don't think I could have related even in middle school.  Most places aren't like this in 2013, it makes it difficult.  There is still value in the history and in the fact that things used to be like this.  I just...was left wanting so much more.

[yabookaweek]

The Land Of Stories- Chris Colfer

I was seriously so excited to read this book.  I love fairy tales, the originals and the softened versions.  I love myths and folklore, oral tradition and the history of these types of stories.  I so badly wanted to love this book!  While it was a quick and easy read (I would say it's a nice middle grade book, YA is pushing it after reading it,) I was left wanting so much more.  The story was well written, I didn't find tons of grammatical or spelling errors that detracted from my enjoyment, but seriously, it was predictable. 

So this is the story about a set of twins, Alex and Connor, who are going through a difficult time in their lives both at home and at school.  Their grandmother comes to visit and gives them the family story book "The Land Of Stories."  It is through this book that Alex and Connor enter fairy tale kingdom and have to find a way home.  They learn about the stories they love, the complexities, that no world and no person is without their own personal burdens to carry, and in the end they learn about their family.  The story really is wonderful.  I just was left wanting more, I wanted to be surprised by the turn of events, I wanted to be left sitting in awe, sadly I wasn't. 

I do think this novel would be well suited to a movie adaptation though.  The scenery, the worlds, the people would be fascinating.  It has so much potential in the film world.  I do hope it will get picked up.