I Read Banned Books

Review - The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

2012-02-14T10:05:00.000-08:00

The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison
February 14th, 2012 from Egmont

Penelope (Lo) throws herself into solving the murder of a stripper she didn't know named Sapphire after she learns that she narrowly escaped the bullet that killed her. She becomes obsessed with finding Sapphire's killer when she stumbles upon some of her personal belongings, a jeweled butterfly, at flea market she frequents. Lo frequents Neverland, the place of the shooting and no place for an innocent teenaged-girl to be, and before long, she befriends a boy, Flynt, who decides to help Lo find the killer. Lo ignores all of the warnings (dead cat on front porch, anyone?) to stop searching for clues, but Lo doesn't stop. Instead, she risks everything - school, her relationship with her parents, and even her own life - to solve the crime.

I appreciate that Lo isn't a perfect character. For me, she is the best part of this book. To say that she has issues would be an understatement. Lo suffers from OCD, is a hoarder, and her anxiety is at an all time high if she does not perform certain rituals - tapping, turning, saying certain words in a certain sequence, stealing, etc. Lo is beyond quirky, she is a sick girl. Ever since her brothers death the year prior, Lo's condition has worsened. Too bad no one in her family notices. Her mother is in a constant daze from popping pills, her own coping mechanism, and her father has immersed himself in his work to escape. Lo is literally all alone and the only way she knows how to get by is to tap tap tap, banana. Literally.
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Review - Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

2012-02-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
February 7th, 2012 from Putnam Juvenile

Three sisters, all witches, and all hiding the truth of who and what they are from everyone else. In alternate New England in the 1890's, these three sisters are all they have. Their mother is dead and their father is always away on business. Their secret abilities aren't something to be desired - they are something that will get them killed or sent away to an asylum. Cate is the oldest and has only a handful of months to declare her intent to marry or to go live with the Sisters. Not her blood sisters, but the group of women who serve the Brotherhood. Cate must protect her sisters and their secret from the Brotherhood, Sisters, and even their father. How can she do that while taking care of another man and his house or off learning prayers and devoting her life to a bunch of priests?

I am happy to say that this is not just a pretty cover kind of book! I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the fictional setting of a high society town in New England who is under the religious thumb of hypocritical do-gooders. Cate was a wonderful character to get to know. She is hellbent on keeping their witchy background a secret, but she quickly learns that she is pushing her two younger sisters away. She is like the mother that doesn't want her children to grow up and she thinks she is protecting them when in reality, she is smothering. Watching her walk that fine line of parent and sister was captivating and heart warming.
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Book Trailer Debut - Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

2012-02-07T06:56:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to be able to share Elisa Ludwig's awesome book trailer for her even more awesome book, Pretty Crooked. You've seen that cute little purple cover and you have even wondered what was in that bag besides money. I know you have...

Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig
March 13th, 2011 from Katherine Tegen/Harper Collins

Things couldn't be better for 15-year-old Willa Fox: Her mom has just moved them to beautiful Paradise Valley, playground for the rich and powerful. Already Willa's been welcomed into the inner circle of her school's most exclusive clique and she's attracted the attentions of the superfine Aidan Murphy. But when Willa finds out that her new best friends are actually bullies, she decides she has to take a stand—even if it means taking the law into her own hands.

The cover reveal for Pretty Crooked was way back in early July last summer. I was immediately drawn to it and asked Elisa for an interview about the art and design. To read that interview, jump HERE.
And here we go!

Doesn't this look and sound like a movie or something from ABC Family? Love the Robin Hood*ish premise where a girl gives back to the poor. I think it will be interesting to see how she can balance being friends (maybe?) and then stealing from them. I think I can picture the final showdown now... This one shot to the top of my TBR list!

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You can find Elisa Ludwig at her website.

Follower Love Giveaway Hop

2012-02-06T14:56:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another Hop! This one is brought to us from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Rachael Renee Anderson. I'll keep this short and sweet so you enter all of the hops. There are over 300 blogs that are particapating this time around. Cover photo will take you to the Goodreads page. US only, please!

For a full list of blogs and thier prizes, go HERE. This is what I have for you this time...

Giveaway #1

Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams
May 1st, 2012 from Simon and Schuster

Growing up in Africa and Latin America as the children of missionaries, London and Zach were as close as could be. And then Zach dies, and the family is gutted. London’s father is distant. Her mother won’t speak. The days are filled with what-ifs and whispers: Did Zach take his own life? Was it London’s fault?

Alone and adrift, London finds herself torn between her brother’s best friend and the handsome new boy in town as she struggles to find herself—and ultimately redemption—in this authentic and affecting novel from award-winning novelist Carol Lynch Williams.

Giveaway #2

In His Eyes

February 14th 2012

The Indelibles bring you a one-of-a-kind young adult anthology! Sixteen original short stories, all from the point of view of our favorite male characters - some are old flames from our novels and some were dreamed up especially for this anthology.

Let these imminently crushable, swoon-worthy guys show you what romance looks like – in his eyes.

Fill out the fancy doo-hickey below to be officially entered. Must be a follower, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Vacation!

2012-02-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

As I write this post, I am heading up a volcano for a 12hr waterfall hike. Where am I? Hawaii, baby! My daughter turned 16 on Saturday and we took this time for a family vacation.

We have seen several humpback whales and while we were snorkeling in Kona, dolphins decided to join us. It was unbelievable!

I'll be back next week!

Aloha!

One Word Reviews: Fire, Shatter Me, and Wonderstruck

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

One Word Reviews are back! I have fully reviewed all of these titles and the links to those reviews are linked with the photos. One Word Reviews is simply just a tease to get you thinking about a book. Maybe it is a title that you have skipped over or haven't seen before. Regardless, here you are:

MONSTOROUS

The Knife and the Butterfly - Guest Post From Author Ashley Hope Perez About Diversity

2012-02-01T07:01:00.000-08:00

How The Knife and the Butterfly was inspired by the students I never got to teach

Ashley Hope Perez

I’ve talked a lot about how I wrote my first novel, What Can’t Wait, because my high school students in Houston challenged me to write about their experiences, to show how hard it could be to meet their obligations at home and follow their dreams. By contrast, The Knife and the Butterfly is mostly about the experiences of the teens I never got to meet, the ones who slipped through the cracks in the system or dropped out of school like the protagonist, Azael.

This is not just a hypothetical situation. In Houston schools, the de facto dropout rate is an astonishing 50%. These dropouts get classified in lots of creative ways, but the reality is, out of a starting freshman class of about 1550 at the high school where I taught—which was typical—only around 800 graduated. Since I always taught seniors, this means that there were tons of kids who disappeared from school before they got to my class.

So I still drew on my experiences, but school actually plays a very small part in Azael and Lexi’s lives. In The Knife and the Butterfly, I had a different set of issues to contend with that pushed me well beyond the world I knew. The biggest instance of this was researching MS-13 in Houston. I wanted to show the complex role it played in Azael’s life without glorifying gangs—or implying that every gang member is a ruthless animal.
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Waiting on Wednesday - Blind Spot by Laura Ellen

2012-01-31T20:04:00.000-08:00

Blind Spot by Laura Ellen
October 23rd, 2012 from Harcourt Children's Books

How do you clear your name of murder when you can't remember what happened? When a truck driver plunges through the thinning ice on Birch River, Tricia Farni’s body floats to the surface—dead since the night she disappeared six months earlier. The night Roswell Hart fought with her. The night Roz can’t remember. Roz has an eye disease that robs her central vision, so she's used to piecing things together to make sense of the world around her. But this time it’s her memory that needs piecing together—to clear her name and to find a murderer. Debut novelist Laura Ellen's own experiences with macular degeneration and special needs add powerful authenticity to this suspenseful and emotional page-turner for teens.

Yes! I'm drawn to that cover. I'm supposed to be! I love that the title is small and the the photo is zoomed in to where we really don't see all of the model. It leaves your imagination wide open to picture the protagonist on your own. Something I sometimes miss with all of these gorgeous girls in gorgeous ball gowns on book covers. Also, I love the purple-blue hue and it gives it a grimy and raw feel. I love a good mystery and this one sounds like a must read to me.

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You can find Ellen at her website

Review - Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne + Art Reveal

2012-01-31T06:01:00.000-08:00

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne
February 2nd, 2012 from G.P. Putnam's Sons

We meet Faye as her father is dropping her off at Holbrook Academy. It was supposed to be just campus visit, but when the program director, crotchety old Dr. Mordoch, hands her the daily schedule and her dad drags a suitcase out of the trunk her mother secretly packed, she knows she will be stuck there for awhile. She tries to run, she tries to hide, but only ends up in solidarity confinement. Within days, Faye and other teens at the academy wake up covered in dirt and blood with strange symbols on the floor. No one remembers a single thing from the night before. Faye soon learns that the academy is not what it seems and it is no coincidence that certain people are in residence. *insert boy love*
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Review - Rock God: the Legend of BJ Levine by Barnabas Miller

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

Rock God: the Legend of BJ Levine by Barnabas Miller
January 17th, 2012 from Sourcebooks

The cover of this book gives us a hint of the craziness that will ensue. Thirteen-year-old BJ's life turns upside down when a big, burly, biker named Merv comes knocking on his door and gets in an argument with his father. BJ is royally confused about the fight and can't make sense of the hushed whispers and sudden outbursts between this giant stranger and his father. When Merv rides off, he drops an old notebook that turns BJ's life upside down. In it, he finds the perfect formula to become a "master in the art of rocking." He decides to ditch the boring life and become a "full-on, fire-breathing MEGALORD OF RRRRROCK!" Not so easy when you can't play an instrument and you basically have the musical talent of a seahorse.
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In My Mailbox - ALA Edition

2012-01-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

IMM is a meme brought to us from The Story Siren. Basically, it's a good way to add books to your TBR pile, get a head's up on what is coming soon, and to totally covet books. All cover photos will take you to the Goodreads page.

For review:

A Wrinkle In Time - 50th Anniversary Edition by Madeleine L'Engle

Friends With Boys by Faith Erin Hicks

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

ALAMW12 Wrap-up

2012-01-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

Midwinter was AWESOME! Literary Lonestars stormed the exhibit hall the first night and scored some pretty awesome books! Later that night, we hosted a super fun and crowded blogger/author meetup. I was overwhelmed with the turnout and I don't know the exact number, but we had around.....75-80 people!

Young Adult Giveaway Hop

2012-01-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Young Adult Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, and Down the Rabbit Hole. Today, I have a few YA goodies for you all. I'll make entering nice and easy, but be sure to follow the rules.

Jump HERE and check out all of the participants. COVER ART will take you to the Goodreads page of each book. US on books, INT on ebooks. Good luck!

Giveaway #1

Banned Books Pin - Alice with Huck

You can find Forsman at her website
Forsman is an ABFFE affiliate so 10% of sales to independent bookstores goes to ABFFE. I love these pins!

Giveaway #2
ARC of Take A Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

You can find Eulberg at her website

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Review - Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala

2012-01-26T06:29:00.000-08:00

Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala
January 3rd, 2012 by HarperTeen

We meet Joy as she is staging her own kidnapping. She dyes and cuts her hair and sets the room up just perfectly so no one will know she left her life voluntarily. Joy doesn't want to be followed, to be found. We don't exactly know what Joy is running away from, but then we are introduced to her controlling boyfriend, Asher, through snippets and flashbacks. Joy feels the only way to leave Asher is to leave her entire life. After all, he controls it all. She hits the Seattle streets in attempt to find the one person that offered his help. The one person who saw right through her suffocating life.

The first few chapters of this book will leave you breathless as we jump from just a few days before she runs away to events to the present. Joy vaguely describes how her boyfriend Asher punished her after a quick trip to go visit her brother. Yes, punished... Those beginning scenes hooked me to the story and not only did I want to see what Joy was running away from, I wanted to know how she was punished. Throughout the book as she lives on the dirty, grimy streets of Seattle, we learn how Asher's control turns to abuse and how that changes everything. Changes a normal high school girl named Joy into an eating out of trash bins girl named Triste.
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Diabolical - Interview with author Cynthia Leitich Smith +Giveaway

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Diabolical was released this week and I'm happy to have author Cynthia Leitich Smith at the blog today. We live in the same town and she is a big part of the awesome YA and Kidlit community here. Today, we're talking about the Tantalize series and all things devilish! If you haven't seen my review, you can check it out HERE. Welcome, Cynthia!

DIABOLICAL is book four in the TANTALIZE series. When you started to think about writing Quince and Kieren's story, did you think it would go this far?
I had hopes! It didn’t begin as a series, but rather a single title followed by another single title and then another. Now, it’s being repackaged and marketed as a series. My initial concept was to engage in a conversation of sorts with Bram Stoker’s classic novel, DRACULA—to offer a contemporary extension of its mythology with strong romantic elements, some humor, mystery, suspense, a dash of girl power, and a diverse cast. Each of my Gothic novels inches closer to that source material, and in DIABOLICAL, we visit to the legendary Scholomance, where the Count supposedly learned his malevolent magic.
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Waiting on Wednesday - Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams

2012-01-24T20:13:00.000-08:00

Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams

May 1st, 2012 from Simon & Schuster

Growing up in Africa and Latin America as the children of missionaries, London and Zach were as close as could be. And then Zach dies, and the family is gutted. London’s father is distant. Her mother won’t speak. The days are filled with what-ifs and whispers: Did Zach take his own life? Was it London’s fault?

Alone and adrift, London finds herself torn between her brother’s best friend and the handsome new boy in town as she struggles to find herself—and ultimately redemption—in this authentic and affecting novel from award-winning novelist Carol Lynch Williams.

Wow! If that synopsis doesn't move you, you must be a robot. I've been trying to find some upcoming contemporaries and I love the sounds of this one. Although, it may break me... Luckily, I scored this one at ALAmw and can't wait to dive it!

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Review - Diabolical (Tantalize #4) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

2012-01-24T07:58:00.000-08:00

Diabolical (Tantalize #4) by Cynthia Leitich Smith
January 24th, 2012 from Candlewick Press

Synopsis:
When "slipped" angel Zachary and his werewolf pal, Kieren, arrive under suspicious circumstances to a mysterious New England boarding school, they quickly find themselves in a hellish lockdown with an intriguing assortment of secretive, hand-picked students. Plagued by demon dogs, hallucinatory wall décor, a sadistic instructor, and a legendary fire-breathing monster, will they somehow manage to escape? Or will the devil have his due? Best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith unites heroes from the previous three novels in the Tantalize Series - including Zachary's girl, Miranda, and Kieren's love, Quincie - along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.

Review:
*Spoilers if new to series
Unlike the other three books in the Tantalize series, Diabolical is told from three perspectives; Kieren (the were), Zachary (the fallen angel), and Miranda (the dead vampire queen). Having three perspectives kept this book moving fast. Not confusing in the least because Miranda is in Penultimate (not an in between world, but similar - a place where the dead "...make peace with their time among the living") and the boys, Kieren and Zachary, are still on Earth and off to find out whats going on inside a mysterious boarding school where Miranda's best friend is shipping off to. Each character has their own story line and unique perspective on the events that take place. Some of you will ask if Quince is around. Yes, Quince and Kieren are still together!
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Incarnate: Interview with author Jodi Meadows +Giveaway

2012-01-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

I am ecstatic to have Incarnate author, Jodi Meadows, back at the blog! I was mesmerized with her cover last summer and it went immediately to my TBR pile. Incarnate comes out January 31st, don't miss it! Welcome, Jodi!

We talked about your gorgeous cover reveal back in early June of last year. Does your heart still flutter every time you see Ana even after all of these months?
Oh definitely! I still catch myself staring at her sometimes. She's just so magical, plus it's my first cover!

This is your debut novel! *claps* In three words, describe your publication journey.
Before my agent said yes: Difficult. Discouraging. Worthwhile.
After my agent said yes: Hopeful. Encouraging. Amazing.

What was the working title of Incarnate or has it always been titled that?
For a long time it was "reincarnation book." Yeah, I'm not awesome at titles. *g* By the time I finished the first draft, it was called Erin Incarnate -- because Ana's name used to be Erin. When her name changed, we dropped it from the title, which was just fine with me; I'd been calling it Incarnate in my head for a while.
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Review - Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

2012-01-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
January 31st, 2012 from Katherine Tegen Books

Ana (which translates to nosoul) should never have been born into a world of 100 million souls that have been reincarnated over and over again for centuries. Make that 99 million now that Ana was born and a reincarnated soul didn't come back. To say the least, her birth wasn't taken well. Ana is taken from Heart to live with her "snake-hearted" mother far away, ostracized from the others. At 18, she is ready to go out on her own and make her way to Heart to find out who she is and why she was born. Her journey starts out more than rough and she ends up being rescued by a boy named Sam. A boy who doesn't ridicule her for being a nosoul. In fact, he sees her as a newsoul and vows to help her find out what/who she is.
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Review - Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic +Giveaway

2012-01-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

Never Eighteen by Meg Bostic
January 17th, 2012 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The title really says it all. Austin is a 17-year-old boy who will never see his 18th birthday. He has decided to spend one of his last weekends mending fences with others and laying his heart on the line. Sickness has taken over his body and he feels that the time to make things right is running out. Old friends, acquaintances, and family members get paid a visit. All the while, Austin works up the nerve to tell his best friend, Kaylee, that he loves her; that he has loved her since the first day they met in third grade.

You know by the synopsis that this one will be a tear jerker, but this story is wrapped in a warm blanket of hope and optimism. Austin isn't struggling to find a cure or begging God to be miraculously healed. He takes a mature approach to his impending death even when others aren't ready to face the truth. Austin is only looking to right some wrongs and find out a few answers along the way before his time runs out. Things don't always go according to plan, but Austin is steadfast and commits to seeing his plan out. Watching him go through this journey is truly inspiring. You can't help but count your blessings and question what might have gone wrong with a few relationships in your life.
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Review - The Silence of Our Friends by Mark Long, Jim Demonakos, and Nate Powell +Giveaway

2012-01-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

The Silence of Our Friends by Mark Long, Jim Demonakos, and Nate Powell
January 17th, 2012 by First Second Books

Set in Houston, Texas, Silence of Our Friends takes place during a time where racial tensions are high and people's patience is at an all-time low - 1968. Jack is a local television newsman assigned to report on "racial news." After a police officer is shot and killed during a non-violent rally at Texas State University, the town is in an uproar and people start pointing fingers. Actually, all fingers are pointing to five innocent African-American men. Jack and Larry, an African-American professor who recently lost his job on campus, befriend each other at an unlikely time and the two gentleman try to restore hope in their community.
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In My Mailbox

2012-01-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

For review:

Lucky Fools by Coert Voorhees

A World Away by Nancy Grossman

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Top Five With Unearthly & Hallowed Author Cynthia Hand +Giveaway

2012-01-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to have Cynthia Hand back at the blog today talking about her Top Five Things To Do In Jackson Hole! Stay tuned for a giveaway at the end of this post.

1. Get high! There are lots of ways to get way, way up into the sky in Jackson. Go hiking, go skiing, climb up a mountainside! Take a ride to the top of the mountains on the Jackson Hole tram, up in Teton Village. I do this almost every time I go. You take this enormous tram to the top of the mountains and get to look over the entire valley. It’s gorgeous. It’s also about the cleanest air you’re ever likely to breathe.

2. Get wet. I don’t recommend a lot of swimming in Jackson, actually. The water is pretty cold. But you need to get out on the water. There’s a boat tour of Jackson Lake that is really nice, and you can rent boats and canoes and kayaks, too. Go fishing! White water rafting is also really fun.
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Review - Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

2012-01-12T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
January 17th, 2012 from HarperTeen

**Spoilers if you have not read Unearthly**
As far as Clara is concerned, she has failed her mission. Not just an ordinary mission, but her purpose in life. She did not follow through with the visions she has had more than a year and save Christian from the fire. Turns out Christian didn't need saving. Now, Clara is experiencing a different vision...a funeral scene. Who in her life will die and is it a result of her choosing to save her human boyfriend Tucker from the fire and not her heavenly match Christian?

Some of you may know that I am no fan of the angel books (I've been burned too many times), BUT this series is an exception. I was a huge fan of Unearthly (review here) and was chomping at the bit to read book two. Hallowed picks up just days after the fire scene where Clara fails her purpose and is dragged to Hell for a hot minute by a black wing. To be better prepared for the dark wings imminent return, the young angels form a club and try to find the answers that no one is willing to give. They find answers all right! I was surprised at how much information we learn. Turns out one angel is holding out and knows more than they are saying. Secrets....gotta love the tension!
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Waiting on Wednesday - A World Away by Nancy Grossman

2012-01-10T20:30:00.000-08:00

A World Away by Nancy Grossman
July 17th, 2012 from Hyperion

A summer of firsts
Sixteen-year-old Eliza Miller has never made a phone call, never tried on a pair of jeans, sat in a darkened theater waiting for a movie to start. She’s never even talked to someone her age who isn’t Amish, like her.

A summer of good-byes
When she leaves her close-knit family to spend the summer as a nanny in suburban Chicago, a part of her can’t wait to leave behind everything she knows. She can’t imagine the secrets she will uncover, the friends she will make, the surprises and temptations of a way of life so different from her own.

A summer of impossible choice
Every minute Eliza spends with her new friend Josh feels as good as listening to music for the first time, and she wonders whether there might be a place for her in his world. But as summer wanes, she misses the people she has left behind, and the plain life she once took for granted. Eliza will have to decide for herself where she belongs. Whichever choice she makes, she knows she will lose someone she loves.

This one is a totally different read for me, but I'm all over it. I don't think I am the only one that is a little fascinated with the Amish lifestyle. My fingers are always on the lapie or on my phone and I can't imagine living in the prairie days or even today as an Amish girl. I can't wait to see Eliza experience everything we take for granted...

What do you think? Do you know any other YA books that address the Amish community? And just before I hit Publish Post, I did a search and came across this list about Amish Teen Fiction. I don't recognize any. I will note that these books are written by the Amish, for the Amish.

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