- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski’s ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.
Jacob was there because his luck had run out – orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive ‘ship of fools’. It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn’t have an act – in fact, she couldn’t even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
Movie news: The movie will be out in theaters 4.22.11 and stars Robert Pattinson as Jacob and Reese Witherspoon as Marlena.
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The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…
Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.
But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?
See my review here.
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie is navigating through the strange worlds of love, drugs, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, and dealing with the loss of a good friend and his favorite aunt.
Movie news: According to IMDB, the movie is expected to be released in 2012. Stephen Chbosky wrote the screenplay and will be directing the movie. Emma Watson (as Sam) and Logan Lerman (as Charlie) will star.
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Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
In the beginning, there’s a boy standing in the trees . . . .
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she’s part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn’t easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there’s another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara’s less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she’d have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.
Unearthly is a captivating, well-written story featuring intriguing angel mythology, strong heroines, a healthy romantic relationship, and a natural mother-daughter bond. The next book in the series, Hallowed, is due out Jan. ’12 and it’s already on my TBR list!
Regarding the angel mythology, I won’t discuss it enough to give spoilers, but I love glory, I found the wing color aspect unique, and I think the Black Wings are fascinating.
One of my favorite quotes from the book comes after a less than stellar prom night: “I won’t be that girl who lets the guy treat her like crap and still fawns all over him.”
I highly recommend Unearthly–you won’t be able to put it down!
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Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Jay Asher’s brilliant first novel is a moving, highly original story that focuses on a set of audiotapes made by a girl before she committed suicide, and which explain to 13 people the reasons why she decided to end her life. Told in a highly effective duel narrative — alternating between the girl s voice and the thoughts of a boy who is listening — this honest, poignant story reveals how other people’s actions shape, and by extension can ruin, an individual’s faith in people. Intensely powerful and painfully real, Thirteen Reasons Why reveals how brutal high school can be, the consequences of spreading rumors, and the lasting effects of suicide on those left behind!
A wonderfully eye-opening novel, Thirteen Reasons Why is all about how our actions–and inactions–affect others. The prose is often poetic, the messages are clear without coming off as “preachy”, and the characters will draw you in. I highly recommend this book! That said, it is an emotionally draining read.
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Movie news: Universal bought the rights to the movie (expected out in 2012), and Selena Gomez has been cast as Hannah Baker.
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Fallen by Lauren Kate
There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce—and goes out of his way to make that very clear—she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.
Meh. I have to admit, Fallen wasn’t that great for me. It reminded me a lot of Marked (House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast). Same “mildly-popular-and-pretty-high-school-chick-goes-to-boarding-school-and-meets-lots-of-supernatural-hotties” theme. That said, there were enough mildly intriguing loose ends at the end of the book that I might pick up the sequel (Torment) someday, just to find out what happens.
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Movie news: According to Reelz, Disney has optioned the rights to a Fallen movie.
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The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
In Mary’s world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?
Truth #1: I don’t do zombies. NO zombie books, no zombie movies.
Truth #2: As a general rule, I stear clear of the horror genre.
Truth #3: I read the majority of this book late at night while home alone. Bad idea.
Truth #4: In spite of truths 1-3, LOVED IT!
Carrie Ryan is amazing. She’s written a book that’s a mash-up of YA fantasy, horror, futuristic dystopia, romance, and adventure. I’ve read a few reviews that criticize Ryan for genre jumping, but for me it just worked. The writing is simple and elegant, the characters are relatable, and the story is just plain gripping. I love the main character, Mary. Love her curiosity, her tenaciousness, her drive, her ability to love. Yes, she is a flawed character, and she goes a little insane toward the end of the book, but in my mind that makes her that much more likeable.
My one complaint with FoHaT is that the end is a bit abrupt. Not even really a cliffhanger. I mean, it is a clifhanger of sorts, but that wasn’t my gripe with it. I feel like the end only answered 1 of the story’s major questions. There are SO many more that went unanswered.
Questions like:
What kind of secret knowledge did the Sisters possess?
What was in the other rooms in the wine cellar?
Where did the zombies originally come from?
Why was Gabrielle the fast one?
Who were the past fast ones?
Did Mary consummate her relationship with either Harry or Travis?
BTW, I think the hardback cover (a downcast Mary in front of a misty, gray forest) is genuis. Not a huge fan of the paperback cover, which is a photo of “Mary” (NOT the way I had imagined her–what’s with the makeup?) behind a “fence” of tree branches. And the UK/Australian cover (red flower on black background) is just WAAAY too Twilight-esq for my taste. The Forest of Hands and Teeth is not Twilight, and that’s a good thing.
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Movie news: Seven Star Pictures has picked up the movie rights and there is a rumor flying around that an un-named star has been cast as Mary.
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TMI #3: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters — never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City — whatever the cost?
Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.
It’s a rare thing when I find a series that makes me fall more in love with the characters and story with each consecutive book. City of Glass accomplished it…I am offically head over heals for CC (who is a genius story-teller) and TMI! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, what are you waiting for? Seriously, go get a copy of City of Bones today!
[**Spoiler Alert**]
I particularly loved the messages of this final book. Standing up for what you believe in? Check. Knowing that one person (you) can make a difference? Check. Falling in love with the boy who makes you feel like a strong woman? Check. The RIGHT kind of love makes you stronger rather than weaker? Check. It’s OK for boys to cry? Check. Your real parent(s) can be whoever loves you the most, not necessarily whoever’s genes you carry? Check. And so on…
As much as I love a certain YA novel/series that shall not be named (because I’m NOT comparing it to TMI), there are some disturbing themes and relationships in that particular story. TMI, on the other hand, is a series I could hand my daughter or son without reservations.
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Movie news: A movie adaptation of City of Bones (TMI #1) is on its way and we can look for it sometime next year. Lily Collins has been cast as Clary and casting for Jace just closed, though no one has been named to play his character yet. Cassandra Clare posts updates on her website as she gets them.
Aspiring Alverna 