i swim for oceans

Let's Talk: Challenging Yourself as a Blogger or Reader

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What would you like to challenge yourself as a blogger and/or reader to do this year?

This is one question that I posed to myself when I decided to start the blog up again after a nearly 8 month hiatus from the blogosphere. When I stopped blogging in November, I was burned out physically and emotionally, and the thought of writing another post or another comment really just didn't sound even remotely appealing to me. As someone who prides herself in delivering meaningful content in a timely manner, it weighed on me that I was starting to slack - simply because my heart wasn't in it.

This year, I've set a few pretty decent and attainable goals for myself as both a reader and a blogger. While the two go hand-in-hand for me, I felt it was important to separate them out so that they'd be comprehensive and really outline why it is that I continue to blog 3 years after starting.

My goals as a blogger this year:

- Have fun and be yourself. If you're not enjoying it, don't do it.

- Take your role seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously. Embrace your quirks.

- Post as frequently as you feel is reasonable, but don't overdo it.

- Set limits and don't overburden yourself with requests for reviews that just don't interest you.

- Build the Let's Talk feature because I love it when bloggers discuss things openly.

My goals as a reader this year:

- Read more books for the sheer purpose of enjoyment, rather than reviews.

- Expand your reviewing horizon, and don't settle for self-imposed limitations (ie: contemps).

- Try more books on my e-reader...I got it for a reason.

- Step outside of my comfort zone more often without bias, if possible.

- Learn to read a bit slower. Speed reading, while a great skill, is not always the best. F'reals.

What about you all? What do you want to do this year to better yourself as a reader, or blogger, if anything? Do you even set goals for yourself? Let's hear what you've got to say!

Breathe by Sarah Crossan Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Breathe
Author: Sarah Crossan (Twitter)
Publisher: Greenwillow
Publish Date: October 2, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 373
Source: Publisher

Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe...The world is dead. The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. Quinn should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. Bea wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

The world is used up. Air is gone, and what little there is, the Breathe Corporation provides at great cost. To survive, you are either very privileged, or you work to the bone to provide a better life for your family in the bleak future of the world. Life outside these lifesaving pods isn't really an option, as the trees are gone, and the oceans are dried up, leaving the Earth with oxygen levels of a mere 6%. For Quinn, life is easy, as he's a Premium and one of the few elite. Bea is an Auxiliary and has worked hard with her family her entire life to secure their future. Alina is a rebel, and doesn't play by the rules. And the lives of these three teens are on a dangerous collision course.

Breathe presents a concept of a dystopian future that, while not entirely original or new, definitely takes its own spin on the concept of a world depleted of its natural resources. The world that Sarah Crossan has created is, indeed, extremely bleak, with a faceless corporation holding monopoly over the Earth's citizens' very lives. The smooth, steady pace of the novel lulls us into a comfortable and false sense of calm, enveloping us in a tale that begins to lash out with dark treachery as we progress. With its well-paced plot, understandable theme and a world that's bleak and devoid of hope, Breathe gives us a chance to root for redemption through it all.

I have to say that, at first, the concept of Breathe didn't immediately entice me, simply because I felt the setup was vaguely reminiscent of one my all-time favourite new dystopians, Pure. However, I was excited to start reading and see that while a few elements were similar, Breathe definitely had its own plot and was taking its execution in a different direction. One of the greatest strengths of the book were the three main characters with whom we're offered a chance to empathize. Bea, Alina and Quinn are stark contrasts of one another, each offering a different viewpoint into the world of Breathe. Their alternating points of view gave me a different perspective with each transition, and I felt as though my insight was more well-rounded by doing so. Throughout the novel though, I didn't see much character growth within their individual characters arcs, which also seemed to be lacking somewhat. However, in a largely plot-driven novel, I can accept it and will say that it made sense for Breathe. Another highlight of this book for me, surprisingly enough, was the love triangle, as we actually got to see two girls falling for the same guy, whereas usually it's the other way around. The only true complaint I have with the book is that I am left with a ton of questions regarding just what actually happened to the world. In a sense, it leaves me wanting more and anticipating the next installment, but in another way, I felt a bit slighted.

Overall though, I thought Breathe was a really well-written addition to the genre. With a clean writing style and a fresh voice, it's sure to find a big audience. I give it a strong 3.5 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Shade of the Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: The Shade of the Moon
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer (Twitter)
Publisher: Harcourt Children's
Publish Date: August 13, 2013
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 304

It's been more than two years since Jon Evans and his family left Pennsylvania, hoping to find a safe place to live, yet Jon remains haunted by the deaths of those he loved. His prowess on a soccer field has guaranteed him a home in a well-protected enclave.

But Jon is painfully aware that a missed goal, a careless word, even falling in love, can put his life and the lives of his mother, his sister Miranda, and her husband, Alex, in jeopardy. Can Jon risk doing what is right in a world gone so terribly wrong?

I'm either a glutton for punishment with my desperation to snag this one, or it might just exceed my expectations. I started this series right about the time I started blogging, and I absolutely loved the first installment. However, as books two and three rolled around, I found myself liking them less and less. They were hurried, rushed and slightly miserable. Okay, the third one was totally miserable. That said...I'm invested in this series, and I am still eager to see the world from Jon's point of view. Who knows? Maybe it's the change we need? Plus, let's be real, The Shade of the Moon has one hella gorgeous cover. I can haz? What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favourite Book Covers

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Favourite Covers of Books I've Read

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I mean, seriously. Do I really even have to justify this one? I loved this book, and I really loved this cover. In fact, I have an art cover of it. Bam!

2. The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher - Are you sensing a theme with my favourite covers? I certainly am. There's a lot of water going on. It's oddly fitting with the blog name. I liked this book the first time around, but the second time around, it didn't work for me. The cover, however, always will.

3. Trapped by Michael Northrop - I loved this cover from the first moment I saw it. There's something perfectly melancholy and eerie about it, and it fits well with the premise of this survival tale. Unfortunately, the cover far surpassed the book for me.

4. Bewitching by Alex Flinn - Generally, I'm not really a sucker for girls in pretty dresses, but for this modern fairy tale retelling, it works. Kendra is one ghastly (and deceptively gorgeous) witch, and the cover is totally fitting.

5. Between by Jessica Warman - I don't see this book around nearly enough, and that still saddens me because I loved this one. Seriously. LOVED. But I love how haunting the cover is, too. It took me weeks to realize that the sky and the ground are reversed on the cover. Totally cool.

6. Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday - The cover of this one is perfect with the cool little earbuds that make up the lettering. It's simplistic but poignant, and it's not too, too serious, which is good because this is one fun and entirely surprising book.

7. Wither by Lauren DeStefano - I desperately wanted to love this book, but it ended up falling a bit flat for me. However, the cover of this one will always be stunning in my mind. There is such intricate detail, and the colours are perfection.

8. When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen - Seriously, there's a sparse sort of minimalism to this cover that just speaks to my soul. Plus, it's a bit dark, totally creepy and it's different than pretty much every cover on my shelf, so I loved it from the cover alone!

9. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter - I loved this book. Normally, a book that strays from true mythology wouldn't work for me, but I loved the author's writing style, and it meshed perfectly with this super-stunning cover.

10. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer - This series. It's a source of much enjoyment and much frustration for me. I adored the first book, I was iffy on the second book and the third book royally disappointed me. The covers, however, never cease to amaze me.

Rootless by Chris Howard Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Rootless
Author: Chris Howard (Twitter)
Publisher: Scholastic
Publish Date: November 1, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

17-year-old Banyan is a tree builder. Using scrap metal and salvaged junk, he creates forests for rich patrons who seek a reprieve from the desolate landscape. Although Banyan's never seen a real tree—they were destroyed more than a century ago—his father used to tell him stories about the Old World. But that was before his father was taken.

Everything changes when Banyan meets a woman with a strange tattoo—a clue to the whereabouts of the last living trees on earth, and he sets off across a wasteland from which few return. Those who make it past the pirates and poachers can't escape the locusts—the locusts that now feed on human flesh. But Banyan isn't the only one looking for the trees, and he's running out of time. Unsure of whom to trust, he's forced to make an uneasy alliance with Alpha, an alluring, dangerous pirate with an agenda of her own.

Banyan lives in a world where the trees have long since withered and died. His world is one of the artificial, and he spends his days building trees to recreate the forests that once were. These trees, however, are different. They're made from scraps of materials like rubber and lights, and only the richest of patrons can afford his trees. But when Banyan meets a woman with a tattoo that shows him that the last living trees might be more reality than mythology, he knows he needs to find them...and fast. He's drawn to this last living bit of nature, and he when he sets out on a quest to find them at all costs, he's in for the journey of a lifetime.

This genre has been so hit or miss for me as of late, but when I first read Rootless, I was really blown away by not only the concept, but the rich, vivid details that author, Chris Howard, offers his readers. This cautionary tale is cleverly disguised in a world of metal, plastic and other man-made materials. Nature is a distant memory, long since eradicated through the meticulous and destructive work of a corporation dominating the nation's food industry. With a world that's carefully-crafted, a strong and empathetic cast of characters and a soulful mission to find what's left of our world, Rootless soars.

Rootless was, in a nutshell, one heck of an epic journey. Think about the best quests you've ever read about, and then times it by ten. That's what this story offers us. We're given Banyan, a teen boy with a steady job as a tree builder, but with a chance to find a piece of our heritage and save what little might just be left of the world. His soul shines through his quest, and his courage, determination, humour and general good-natured persona has us invested from the start. Not once did I find his journey disingenuous or his motives less than honest. We're also given a host of pirates who are incredibly detailed, entertaining and truly original. These female pirates are gorgeous and powerful, dominating the swamplands of Old Orleans, and we're introduced to Alpha, a dynamic pirate with an agenda of her own. Through it all, we're presented with this barren wasteland of a world, and Rootless definitely displays the fact that it is a cautionary tale with complete sincerity. The author could easily have become preachy, but instead, by offering us a faceless corporation, GenTech, we can see distinct parallels between our worlds and the one within the pages of Rootless. It's a definitive wakeup call, and it's also a subtle call to action, or at the very least a commentary on the fact that our world needs a careful reminder of the potentially harmful repercussions of tinkering with our food and crop supply. Most of all though, the plot moves steadily forward, as does Banyan's quest, and we become fully invested in finding this long-lost forest, as well, hoping against hope that there might just be something there for Banyan - and for the rest of the world.

Honestly, I haven't seen to many reviews of Rootless, and that saddens me. It far exceeded my expectations, and it's right up there on my list of favourite dystopians now. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian novels with subtle social commentary.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally (Twitter)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publish Date: December 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 281
Source: Publisher

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Jordan breaks the mold on a daily basis. She's athletic, funny and smart, and she breaks the stereotype that girls can't play football. As the captain and quarterback of her school's football team, she leads with confidence, simply because her life revolves around her sport. Jordan has carefully created a world around her in which she can succeed, but whenTy moves to town and shakes things up, for the first time in a long time, Jordan doesn't know the next play. Will she find her balance again before it's too late?

On the surface, Catching Jordan looks like everything I despise in YA contemps. Judging by the cover alone, I assumed the book was barely more than a petty teenage drama involving first loves, heartache and whittling a strong main character down to a shell of what she once was. I couldn't have been more wrong. Miranda Kenneally has written a sweet, empowering, humourous and altogether endearing tale of a girl simply trying to navigate her way through high school without falling prey to everyday drama like so many others. Realistic and refreshing, Catching Jordan is so true-to-life and honest that it makes you feel as though you've stepped back in time, and you're watching the ups and downs of high school play out before your eyes.

Jordan was, at first, a character of whom I was extremely dubious. I don't know the first thing about football, and her life revolved solely around the sport, so I wasn't sure I'd be able to fully access her emotions or passion for her sport. However, simmering beneath the surface, we can see that Jordan is just as human as you and I with her quirky personality and charisma that draws others to her. When Ty enters, though we see Jordan's confidence waver just a bit, we manage to access and draw on that vulnerability, finding yet another reason to root for this confident and empowering female character. What I loved most about Catching Jordan is that we're provided excellent characterization in Jordan, never being forced to watch a girl whittled down to a shell of what she once was due to a high school crush. We get to watch as she transforms from someone with a singular focus to someone who learns that she can let someone in and still be as strong as ever - if not stronger. Furthermore, Catching Jordan presents a high school story that is very honest, offering tangible tension, the navigating of first loves and questioning just how far one should go. It's simple, but realistic, and the beauty of the story is that it doesn't just scratch the surface...it gives us so much more.

I was completely and utterly surprised by Catching Jordan, and despite the fact that there was some dialogue and subject matter that was a bit too convenient for my taste, I thought this book excelled. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Such a Rush
Author: Jennifer Echols (Twitter)
Publisher: MTV Books
Publish Date: July 10, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 325
Source: Publicist

Heaven Beach, South Carolina, is anything but, if you live at the low-rent end of town. All her life, Leah Jones has been the grown-up in her family, while her mother moves from boyfriend to boyfriend, letting any available money slip out of her hands. At school, they may diss Leah as trash, but she’s the one who negotiates with the landlord when the rent’s not paid. At fourteen, she’s the one who gets a job at the nearby airstrip.

By the time she’s a high school senior, Leah has become a good enough pilot that Mr. Hall offers her a job flying a banner plane. It seems like a dream come true...but turns out to be just as fleeting as any dream. Mr. Hall dies suddenly, leaving everything he owned in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. And they’re determined to keep the banner planes flying.

Leah doesn't have an idyllic life, and she's okay with that - so long as she can take to the skies, escape reality and find her peace every chance she gets thanks to the generosity of Mr. Hall. When he dies unexpectedly though, Leah's already tumultuous life is thrown off balance once again. Enter Alec and Grayson Hall, Mr. Hall's twin sons, who are ready to run the business together. But Leah knows something is up when Grayson starts pushing his own dubious agenda on her, coaxing her toward Alec and blackmailing her when she protests. Will she be able to escape the warring brothers, or will she just remain caught in the crossfire?

There's a subtle beauty to Such a Rush that really shone through for me, making this one of those standout contemporary novels in terms of honesty. Author Jennifer Echols has this innate ability to write flawed characters, grasping at their weaknesses and transforming them into these beings that we can relate to, we can root for and we become invested in. With immense skill, we're pulled into a story of a girl who's grown up in the school of hard knocks, and she's learned to never let anyone in. Yet, Such a Rush slowly but surely draws us into the heart of this hardened character, and we witness as she transforms from the inside out.

At first, I'll be honest, I didn't know what to think of Leah. I thought her tough-girl facade was phony and disingenuous and, though I empathized with her situation, I had a hard time actually feeling anything for her. However, as Leah's home situation is revealed throughout Such a Rush, it becomes apparent that this facade acts as her shield, protecting a very sensitive and tender person who has had to grow up far too fast simply to compensate for her absent and neglectful mother. I also hated Grayson at first. His character was so manipulative and surly, and when I saw how he used Leah for his own means with no true explanation as to why, I was immediately on my guard. Ever-so-slowly though, we watch as his anger melts away into a semblance of vulnerability, which reaches Leah on her own level, giving us something to root for. The attraction between them isn't immediately apparent, but there's definitely emotion smoldering beneath the surface. At first, it's red-hot rage, then a slow-burning anger, which eventually leads to a level upon which the two can actually relate and we can sense their overall character development, which sends the story flying from start to finish. I do think that Alec's character was a bit under-developed in terms of how Leah and Grayson's were though, and that frustrated me to no end, especially when their interactions caused a few lags in the plot.

All in all, I really enjoyed Such a Rush despite a few hiccups along the way. It's a fast-paced read that had me hooked from start to finish. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Let's Talk: Your Favourite Places to Read

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What, or where is your absolute favourite place to read?

You know, most days when I'm busy reading, you'll find my curled up in my snuggly bed, or nestled on the couch in front of my shelves and shelves of books. It's only natural, right? I was sitting there the other day though, and I thought about just how much I miss my favourite reading spot. When I was younger, we used to take regular summer holidays to an old girls' camp, which was transformed into an off-the-grid plot of cabins in the late 60's. It's off the beaten path, set right against a gorgeous lake and the place is completely devoid of phones, TVs and most modern conveniences. What an inconvenience...right? Wrong.

These cabins are perfection. Without all the distractions of modern technology, and living in the middle of nowhere for two weeks every year, I found an utter escape in books. I spent many a day lounging by the lake, nestled with my nose in a book. I'd swim my books out to the docks in the middle of the lake because they were more important than towels. Priorities, people. Priorities. But seriously, Kokosing (the camp), encouraged my love of books from a very young age.

If you look very closely next to the little one in purple, aka yours truly, there's a book propped carefully in the rock between my sister and myself. We'd spend our days in the sun - skipping stones, swimming, rowing and reading. Those are some of the days of my childhood that I truly treasure the most and, to this day, these spots remain my all-time favourites to read. We don't go every summer anymore, but when we can, we go back up and visit when my aunt does. I bring a blanket, a book and snuggle up with a cup of cocoa on the porch and read until the sun goes down. Tell me truthfully...does it get any better than that? You'd be hard-pressed to convince me otherwise.

I suppose this post is different than a lot of "show us your favourite reading spot" posts, but hey, they're different for everybody. The point is, it doesn't matter where you read, but rather where you're most comfortable. So, what are some of your absolute favourite reading spots?

When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: When You Were Here
Author: Daisy Whitney (Twitter)
Publisher: Little, Brown
Publish Date: June 4, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 257
Source: Publisher

Danny's mother lost her five-year battle with cancer three weeks before his graduation-the one day that she was hanging on to see. Now Danny is left alone, with only his memories, his dog, and his heart-breaking ex-girlfriend for company. He doesn't know how to figure out what to do with her estate, what to say for his Valedictorian speech, let alone how to live or be happy anymore.

When he gets a letter from his mom's property manager in Tokyo, where she had been going for treatment, it shows a side of his mother he never knew. So, with no other sense of direction, Danny travels to Tokyo to connect with his mother's memory and make sense of her final months, which seemed filled with more joy than Danny ever knew. There, among the cherry blossoms, temples, and crowds, and with the help of an almost-but-definitely-not Harajuku girl, he begins to see how it may not have been ancient magic or mystical treatment that kept his mother going. Perhaps, the secret of how to live lies in how she died.

Danny is adrift. He just lost his mother, his life is spinning into a world that is darker, harder to emotionally process and, frankly, he's completely overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. When a letter arrives from his mother's treatment facility in Tokyo, it's his chance to step away from it all, process what has happened and maybe, just maybe find out how to cope with his mother's death and how to take the first steps in moving on. But first, he needs to set forth on a journey of self-discovery.

When I look for contemporary fiction to read, I look for something that will actually tug at my heartstrings and make me feel something. There is something to be said for a book that can coax you to the brink of tears, and then ever-so-carefully walk you back off that ledge and help heal you through its pages. I've read some of Daisy Whitney's work before, and I have to say that When You Were Here is a standout among not only her titles, but many books on the shelves today. Intricately weaving the arduous process of grieving with an incredible journey of self-discovery, When You Were Here not only tugs at your heartstrings, but will help you heal and find a sense of peace.

So often in YA books, we're presented with a male narrator whose voice is far less than authentic, disingenuous and, frankly, a mere shade of what we might consider a teenage boy to truly sound and act like. When You Were Here, however, gives us an eighteen-year-old boy in Danny, and we can sense the authenticity of his voice from the start. Rather than simply telling us how he feels in the wake of extraordinary loss, we watch as he expresses his pain through his actions and interactions with others, breathing life into what could have been a very shallow and lifeless story. Throughout the story, we're presented secondary characters such as Kana, who helped care for his mother's apartment during her treatment. I was so worried we'd be offered a cloying and false relationship for instant gratification and momentary comfort, but instead we're offered a powerful character who offers Danny friendship when he needs it most. One of the most powerful elements for me, however, was the introduction of Holland, Danny's ex, and how her storyline was ultimately ingrained within his own. We learn that appearances and pretenses can be deceiving, and there is much more to her story and, because of this, Danny's story, as well. Through it all, When You Were Here breaks us down to our barest emotions, then helps us slowly and gently piece ourselves and our emotions back together with great humility, which is an incredibly powerful thing to do.

I know that I'm writing a dissertation here, but When You Were Here was such a beautifully-crafted book that I could sing its praises all day. With a true and genuine voice and endless heart, this book is pure magic. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction. I do want to advice readers of tasteful sexual situations, so this might be for an upper YA audience.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: The Haven
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publish Date: April 9, 2014
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 240

For the teens at The Haven, the outside world, just beyond the towering stone wall that surrounds the premises, is a dangerous unknown. It has always been this way, ever since the hospital was established in the year 2020. But The Haven is more than just a hospital; it is their home. It is all they know. Everything is strictly monitored: education, exercise, food, and rest. The rules must be followed to keep the children healthy, to help control the Disease that has cast them as Terminals, the Disease that claims limbs and lungs—and memories.

But Shiloh is different; she remembers everything. Gideon is different, too. He dreams of a cure, of rebellion against the status quo. What if everything they’ve been told is a lie? What if The Haven is not the safe place it claims to be? And what will happen if Shiloh starts asking dangerous questions?

Guys, it's been a while since I've read a really good dystopian, and those of you that know me...know that I really, really love dystopian books, so I've kind of been going through withdrawals. I spotted this bad boy based on the cover, and the walls kind of reminded me of the prison from The Walking Dead so, naturally, I was sold. I know. I'm such a cover slut. The point is, The Haven sounds pretty dang dark, and I really hope that it lives up to the premise because, let's be honest, who doesn't want a really good dystopian to dominate the genre? What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Dealing with Tough Subjects

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Books Dealing with Tough Subject Matter:

1. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - This book was probably my first foray into contemporary fiction that really actually worked for me. It's a beautiful, poetic and hypnotizing book that tackles some intense dark issues such as rape and loss of self-worth. However, it's also about healing, and it's fantastic. Read it.

2. When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney - I haven't posted my review yet for this one (check back Thursday - shameless plug), but I was blown away by it. I cried a lot, but I also laughed and healed with the main character. Dealing with death, grief and moving on, it's stunning.

3. Dark Song by Gail Giles - This was a book that I didn't expect to be nearly as dark as it was, but it was immensely powerful. Tackling issues of abusive relationships, teenage rebellion, familial drama and more, it's a no-holds-barred story that will really make you think.

4. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - I don't think any list regarding tough subject matter would be complete without this book. Sparse, simple and painful, the book illustrates the spiral of an eating disorder in a powerful, but realistic way. (Beware - it can be triggering.)

5. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers - I put off reading this one for a long time because I'm not so big on the contemps unless they're really true to life. Well, this lived up. Portraying some of the harshest bullying between teenage girls, it presents a challenge - liking an unlikable character as she tries to change.

6. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin - It still amazes me that this book is one of her most obscure titles in the YA market today. It's a powerful, thought-provoking and extremely emotional tale of parental abuse and learning to live, move on and forgive.

7. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Disregard the "loose" title. Trust me. I ignored this book because if it for a really long time. Accurately portraying two teen girls' navigation through the grief process mourning and moving on, it's sure to make you laugh, smile and cry along the way.

8. The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan - This book is severely underrated. It's often mistaken for MG because of its young main character, but the topics and subject matter of the novel are far beyond that age group. This gripping story of child abduction and abuse is sure to leave you breathless.

9. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - Honestly, I love this book, but some people might question my reasoning for listing it here. Think about it this way. Maggie was the victim of an accident. Caleb was the so-called perpetrator of the accident, and both of them must somehow start to move on.

10. Bitter End by Jennifer Brown - This is another one of those books I had on my TBR forever, but I just kept putting it off. However, once I finally read it, I was blown away. This deep novel bares its soul through the story of both an emotionally and physically abusive relationship in an amazingly poignant way.

Insomnia by J.R. Johannson Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Insomnia
Author: J.R. Johansson (Twitter)
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: June 8, 2013
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Thriller
Pages: 360
Source: Publisher

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.

Parker hasn't slept in four years. In that time, he finds that everything around him is becoming more and more unbearable. Instead of sleeping at night, Parker unwillingly slips into the dreams of those with whom he makes eye contact during the day. It's a deadly and painful condition in which he loses all control becoming crushed by the weight of others' lives each night. But when Parker meets Mia and discovers an antidote to this disease that is slowly killing him, he wants...and needs to be around her. Unfortunately, somebody else has their eye on Mia, and suspicions are eventually bound to turn right back around to Parker.

It's always refreshing when a book comes onto the scene with something new to offer, and Insomnia promised to do that exactly. Offering a male main character with a crippling power that, while not altogether new in the realm of YA paranormal, definitely sets itself apart, we're given a new twist on thrilling and mysterious adventures. J.R. Johansson has crafted an edge-of-your-seat, suspense-filled novel filled with twists and turns that are sure to keep you guessing. Insomnia is one of those books that might just keep you awake for days.

There was a lot about Insomnia that I found quite refreshing. In large part, I thought that Parker was a believable and relatable main character. His agony and desperation to sleep was tangible, and you could definitely feel his frustration with his inability to share this condition with anyone else. Because this was so thoroughly explored, his fascination with Mia was entirely plausible, though I'll admit it was still bordering on psychotic. That, in a nutshell, is why I enjoyed the premise of Insomnia. There's a touch of psychosis to this novel, and you need to sift through the layers of stress, damage and trauma to expose who these characters, namely Parker, really are. I will say that I felt Mia was a bit too much of a flat character. Because I felt like I never really got to know her, the hints of romance felt a bit stereotypical and forced to me, which detracted from the overall message of Insomnia. However, the strength of the book is honestly the no-holds-barred take on the creepy elements, and it lets them sing through the pages, leaving you with an intimidating and, at times, daunting mystery from which we must emerge.

All in all, I felt that Insomnia was a good start to a new series. While the ending felt a bit hurried, in my humble opinion, it was a pretty strong read with a lot to offer its intended audience. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal, mysteries, thrillers and male MCs.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

The Diviners by Libba Bray Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sun, 12 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray (Twitter)
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: September 18, 2012
Genre: YA, Hist-Fic, Mystery
Pages: 578
Source: Publisher

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

Evie's life is just getting interesting. She's traded her dowdy hometown streets for the glamorous and lively life of New York City, and she couldn't be more excited. This is her chance to get out, to explore and to live her life like she's always wanted. But things are never quite that simple, or so Evie is about to learn. When murderous tragedies start springing up throughout the city, Evie and her eccentric uncle find themselves right in the middle of it all. Can Evie help figure out who's behind the murders, or will they take her down before she ever has the chance?

The first thing you'll notice when you pick up The Diviners is probably the fact that the book is massive. It would make one heck of a paperweight. However, you'd be sorely mistaken if you assume that that's how I've used my copy. Libba Bray is no stranger to the world of YA fiction, but The Diviners takes her out of that comfort zone we've come to know and associate with the veteran author. Jam-packed with action, this vivid story springs forth from the pages with immense detail, powerful action and characters with whom you can actually empathize and grow to love.

I held off reading The Diviners for quite some time because, and I'll be honest here, the size of this novel is daunting. Nearly 600 pages, it's a very thick book, and one has to set aside a good measure of time in which to thoroughly read it. However, I can honestly say that I never felt bored or tired with the story. There are touches of gruesome darkness that perfectly contrast the glittering lights of the city and the air of excitement that Evie has when she reaches New York. We're given stark contrasts of light and dark, but we're also given this underbelly of a world when we explore the truth behind the Diviners and their role in the murder spree. Evie, too, was an enjoyable character. While she was, at times, childish and melodramatic, I think it actually lent a very honest air to her transformation as she navigates this new world in which she lives. She has a surprising depth, as well, which provides a relief from the tension of the novel. At times, I did feel as though The Diviners was a bit too unnecessarily descriptive, however, it's hard to find too much of an issue with it because the writing is fluid, complex and beautiful throughout. The ending is a non-ending, but the foreshadowing has me begging to find out just what happens next.

Overall, I was thoroughly surprised by The Diviners. I don't know why, really, but I didn't expect too much, and I found myself lost in its world for days. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy mysteries, historical fiction and touches of paranormal.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: The Raft
Author: S.A. Bodeen
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: August 21, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 231
Source: Publisher

Robie is an experienced traveler. She’s taken the flight from Honolulu to the Midway Atoll, a group of Pacific islands where her parents live, many times. When she has to get to Midway in a hurry after a visit with her aunt in Hawaii, she gets on the next cargo flight at the last minute. She knows the pilot, but on this flight, there’s a new co-pilot named Max. All systems are go until a storm hits during the flight. The only passenger, Robie doesn’t panic until the engine suddenly cuts out and Max shouts at her to put on a life jacket. They are over miles of Pacific Ocean. She sees Max struggle with a raft.

And then...she’s in the water. Fighting for her life. Max pulls her onto the raft, and that’s when the real terror begins. They have no water. Their only food is a bag of Skittles. There are sharks. There is an island. But there’s no sign of help on the way.

It's a normal day for Robie. She knows traveling, she knows flying and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary on the day's flight except for the new co-pilot, whom she's never seen before. But things suddenly go from routine, to bad, to deadly in a matter of minutes when turbulence becomes severe and the plane starts to crash. Max manages to get Robie out and follow after her, but they're far from safe as the plane sinks beneath the dark, stormy water. With Max gravely injured and Robie struggling to hang on, how long can the two possibly survive at sea?

The Raft is unlike any book I've ever read before, and that's a testament in and of itself because, let's be real here, the YA genre is crowded. S.A. Bodeen truly makes a name for herself with this novel, giving us a powerful character who is easy to relate to, a gripping and dramatic plot and edge-of-your-seat action throughout. With powerful prose, The Raft is a swift novel, sweeping you into its dramatic and painful embrace in a way that almost makes you feel that you're stranded with Robie on that raft in the middle of the open sea where the struggle to survive will twist and turn you in its deadly embrace.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, but if a book actually manages to surprise me these days - in a good way - it's as good as solid gold to me. The Raft did that and so much more. There are so many books out there that are swimming with characters, and illustrious details, and locations and more, but The Raft sets itself apart from the masses simply by being so amazingly sparse. We're literally given a main character, a secondary character who lapses in and out of consciousness, leaving the Robie to her own devices and a singular location - the raft upon which these two survivors are struggling to live. If I'd known that going in, I would have been highly dubious about how there could possibly have been enough action to fill a novel of this size. However, because of the unique setup, we're given an insider's look at this teenage girl's immediate need for growth, and yes, she grows up. She gradually and believably transforms into a powerful character in her own right, and dang it - that girl is strong to make it through these harrowing events. Max, too, is a powerful character that is interjected throughout, but boy does this man of secrets. His character was one of the best secondary characters I've read in a very long time. I kid you not when I say that The Raft had me reeling and begging for the end. It wasn't that I wanted the book to be over, but rather I was so invested in the story that I, too, felt as though I was being rescued.

The Raft was, in my humble opinion, incredible. Plot twists abound and the utter originality in setup had me begging for more. It's one of those books that I'm not going to forget for a very long time. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy action, adventure, survival and contemporary fiction stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Let's Talk: My Favourite Kickass Literary Heroines

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: Who are some of your favourite kickass literary heroines?

This is one of those questions that I could literally give you probably 100 or more answers. I'm not kidding. There are THAT many empowering female protagonists out there that make me want to sing their praises. And no, Bella Swan is not one of them. Sorry. When I look for an outstanding literary heroine, I look for someone that embodies humanity, humility, courage under fire and a sense of integrity that, let's be real, a lot of female characters seem to lack these days in YA. Rather than go off on a tangent thought, without further ado, here are some of my favourite kickass female characters.

Ok, before I go any further, I have to state that absolutely no list would really be complete without Hermione Granger on it. This is the girl that I grew up reading about. She is fierce, driven, fiery, hot-headed at times, intelligent, compassionate and loyal to all her friends and those she loves. Hermione is tested by the drama of her teen years, as is every single teenage girl out there, but she rises above it and remains strong and solid in her convictions and her dedication to her friends and cause throughout. Above all else though, reading about Hermione made me look within myself at times and wonder just how I might react in her circumstances. And, throughout the Harry Potter series, we watch as she grows into a remarkable witch with incredible courage.

I put off reading the Vampire Academy series for a very long time because I was a bit jaded by the bitter taste that Twilight and Bella Swan left in my mouth. Frankly, I just didn't want to read another vampire book in which a girl falls prey to swoon-worthy men and loses herself in the process. I couldn't have been more wrong about Rose Hathaway though. Seriously...this girl is on fire (cue song). She has one hell of a temper, she's sassy as all get out, and when she falls for Dimitri, she doesn't become a blundering, withering bimbo. Rather, she gets feistier than ever. Amen, sister. This girl is a no-holds-barred, badass fighter that stands up for what she wants and believes in, and she doesn't back down. Ever. Now that's a heroine after my own heart.

I could give you an endless list of kickass female characters, but I'll give you a few more of my most honourable mentions just to plant a bug in your ear (ie...read these books!) Yalith from Many Waters is a subtly fierce heroine with strong convictions and even stronger beliefs. Mara Dyer of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is one messed up girl, but she's a total badass (albeit slightly nuts). Annabeth from Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the perfect heroine for younger teens everywhere to look up to...and she's sassy! And, because I think heroines can be in contemporary fiction, too, I have to include Maggie from Leaving Paradise because she overcomes so much and learns to forgive and move on.

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Before You Go by James Preller Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Before You Go
Author: James Preller
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: July 17, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 199
Source: Publisher

The summer before his senior year, Jude (yes, he’s named after the Beatles song) gets his first job, falls in love for the first time, and starts to break away from his parents. Jude’s house is kept dark, and no one talks much—it’s been that way since his little sister drowned in a swimming pool seven years ago when Jude was supposed to be watching her.

Now, Jude is finally, finally starting to live. Really live. And then, life spins out of control. Again.

Jude hasn't had the easiest life. Having lived his entire teenage existence with an overwhelming shadow of grief looming over him due to his sister's death, he needs this summer. He needs a change, and he's ready to finally break free of the darkness that's held him in its clutches since that tragic day. Jude is ready to live, and when he meets Becka, he thinks his life is just about ready to get back to normal. But life has other plans for him, and things are just about to get messy and complicated. Again.

Can you imagine the enormous weight of guilt you might feel if someone died on your watch? That, in a nutshell, is the heart and soul of Before You Go, an angst-filled novel by James Preller. With an entirely original writing style meant to engage the intended young adult crowd, the is quick, fast-paced and is easily read in a single night. Sweeping you into the saga of a teenager whose real-life drama is a thousand times more weighted than that of normal teenage life, we're given a story in which we can only hope for redemption and ultimate peace.

You know, I waited a really long time to actually sit down and write the review for Before You Go because, to be entirely honest, I'm not sure what I actually got out of this novel. The book starts with a crash - literally - sending us spiralling into the story in an extremely dramatic manner. I was excited because in a book this slim, a fast-paced plot is key. I have to say that, at the very least, the pacing was a strength for Before You Go because it never lagged, and it definitely moved at a steady, believable pace. Jude was a pretty true-to-life teen boy, as well. His overwhelming guilt made him a bit hard to access because he was, more often than not, closed off emotionally, and this distanced me as a reader. There were some extremely expressive instances, however, where I caught a glimpse of who he truly was, but they were fleeting, and I found that frustrating. Furthermore, I have to be honest and say that I had most of my issues with the actual plot. We're given a series of relationships and events, but they're mere shadows. I can't say that any singular plot point stands out as the climax, and there was a lack of resolution in the conclusion that made me wonder what happened to the rest of Before You Go. Furthermore, if I might be petty for a brief moment, the over-abundance of odd slang throughout really through me off and really left me feeling very unattached.

Overall, I hate to say it, but I really expected (and hoped for) more. It wasn't a bad read, and I think that with more detail and emotion, Before You Go could have been solid gold. I give it a 2.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction with a male MC.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Premeditated

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:30:00 +0000

Title: Premeditated
Author: Josin McQuein (Twitter)
Publisher: Delacorte BYR
Publish Date: October 8, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 336

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists. Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why. Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair. Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage. Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire. By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

I'm sorry, but there is something that is just so utterly fascinating about the concept of revenge. Especially righteous revenge, if you know what I mean. The idea that a girl would go to such great lengths to make someone pay for their sins against someone they hold dear isn't a new concept, but this sounds like a fresh, dark and slightly off-kilter tale, which we all know is right up my alley. I think Premeditated sounds like a great read - so long as it sticks to its guns and actually remains darker and realistic throughout. It doesn't hurt that that cover would look extra pretty on my shelf either. Jussayin'. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

The After Girls by Leah Konen Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: The After Girls
Author: Leah Konen (Twitter)
Publisher: Merit Press
Publish Date: April 18, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher

Ella, Astrid, and Sydney were planning the perfect summer after high school graduation. But when Astrid commits suicide in a lonely cabin, the other girls' worlds are shattered. How could their best friend have done this--to herself and to them? They knew everything about Astrid. Shouldn't they have seen this coming? Couldn't they have saved her?

As Ella hunts for the truth, and Sydney tries to dull the pain, a chilling message from Astrid leaves them wondering whether their beloved friend is communicating from the after life. The girls embark on a journey to uncover Astrid's dark secrets. The answers to those questions--questions they never dreamed of asking--will change their lives forever.

Three girls with an unbreakable bond are broken by that which eventually irreparably changes all of our relationships - death. Ella and Sydney are left behind when their best friend, Astrid, commits suicide seemingly out-of-the-blue. What was supposed to have been a picture perfect summer turns into a nightmare of grief, loss and guilt as the girls struggle to reconcile with Astrid's passing. But just when they think that life couldn't get more tumultuous, they receive a message from Astrid, which can't be possible...or can it?

I have a rocky history with contemporary fiction. Those of you who have read my blog for a while know this. It's not from a lack of love for the genre, but rather from what I tend to see as a lack of sincerity from the genre. So, needless to say, I was excited to see a young adult contemporary novel that actually lacked the familiar hype of the industry, giving me a chance to see a novel break the norm. Author, Leah Konen, has crafted a heartbreaking, powerful and hard-hitting debut that doesn't mask the pain of loss, but rather utilizes it to fuel the story. Raw, rich and evocative, The After Girls teaches us about life, loss, grief and the beauty of moving on in the best way way possible.

Guys, I have so many thoughts about The After Girls. Ella and Sydney were two stark contrasts of one another in their grieving processes. One is desperate for the truth, while other simply wants to forget it ever happened and to rid herself of the pain. The book is laced with tragedy and despair, but as we see Ella receive the messages from Astrid, we begin to piece these broken characters and their lives back together. I have to be honest; when I first saw the premise, I thought it was a dead-ringer for Pretty Little Liars. Messages from the grave? I mean, come on. However, after reading The After Girls, I don't think I could have been further from the truth. These messages from Astrid were anything but malicious. They were almost a coping mechanism for Ella, and for that reason, I think this story soars. She's the only one who saw the messages. In my humble opinion, rather than viewing this as a paranormal twist, thinking of it as Ella's way of grieving made me invest further in her character. Though I found Sydney more difficult to relate to because of her anger and deep-rooted guilt, she nevertheless felt real. The After Girls is not a light story, and I struggled with the dark nature of the plot at times, alternating between anger and sadness. However, there is a semblance of peace at the end that makes it worthwhile.

All in all, I was actually really impressed with The After Girls, and I think the author has a real future in this industry. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Top Ten Tuesday: Light and Fun Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:10:00 +0000

Top Ten Things to Read When You Need Something Light & Fun

1. Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday - Talk about a book not taking itself too seriously. This mystery was so engaging, entertaining and downright fun, that it pretty much knocked my socks off. Read it. Do it.

2. Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar - Let's be honest...the show was a heck of a lot more dramatic than the books ever were. I could read them in one sitting and, well, they're dang entertaining. So sue me.

3. The Princess Bride by William Goldman - Many of you have probably seen the movie...right? Well, imagine it in literary form. That's right. It's perfection, and trust me, it still has me in stitches to this day.

4. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White - Despite the drama, action and the overwhelmingly paranormal storyline, you can't tell me this book isn't a fast-paced, fun and really entertaining adventure. It's hilarious, too!

5. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway - This book is sheer genius. It's another one of those that I could easily read in one sitting, but it so fresh-faced and lighthearted that it's pure entertainment.

6. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot - I'll fight anyone who disagrees with me on this one. It promise you that it doesn't get more sweet, fun and simple than the plight of a teenage girl-turned-princess.

7. Angus, Thongs & Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison - This series is hilarious. Absolutely leave-me-in-stitches hilarious. Plus, the characters are so incredibly rich and personable, that you'll lose yourself in this book in no time.

8. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - Despite the fact that Hollywood royally butchered the film (hey, I'm just being honest), this book remains an all-time favourite of mine. Ella is awesome.

9. Heist Society by Ally Carter - Okay, so there's a little bit of mystery (fine...a lot) in these books, but it's engaging, it's fast-paced and I'm never ever bored when I read them.

10. Belles by Jen Calonita - You know what I love? Lighthearted romance. This one delivers. Don't be thrown by the premise or the promise of melodrama...it's got plenty of fun to go around, too!

Crewel by Gennifer Albin Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:46:00 +0000

Title: Crewel
Author: Gennifer Albin
Publisher: FSG BYR
Publish Date: October 16, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Fantasy
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher

Sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has always been special. When her parents discover her gift—the ability to weave the very fabric of reality—they train her to hide it. For good reason, they don’t want her to become a Spinster — one of the elite, beautiful, and deadly women who determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die.

Thrust into the opulent Western Coventry, Adelice will be tried, tested and tempted as she navigates the deadly politics at play behind its walls. Now caught in a web of lies and forbidden romance, she must unravel the sinister truth behind her own unspeakable power. Her world is hanging by a thread, and Adelice, alone, can decide to save it — or destroy it.

Adelice lives a careful lie. She always had, and she's been taught that she will probably always need to. She must always fake ignorance, feign normalcy and, without a doubt, never use her powerful ability to weave, or create the fabric of reality. To do so, for many, would mean endless riches, power and wealth, but for Adelice, it means entrapment. She'll be destined forever to play the hand of a god - determining the future for all, but never having her family and those she loves for herself. But one simple slip-up sets forth a chain reaction that ignites Adelice's destiny and giving her a chance to either save or end the world as they know it.

Ok, first off...what a seriously cool concept! I mean, I'm sure that I've heard touches of this storyline in fairytales and whatnot, but wow. I really love the utter originality of the mere idea behind it. So, you can understand my apprehension to read the book. What if it didn't live up? Can you imagine the letdown? Gennifer Albin skillfully meshed together a whirlwind plot, lovable characters, a heroine worth believing in and, most of all, a beautiful combination of internal and external struggles. With a deft hand, Crewel sweeps you up in its pages, guaranteeing one heck of an adventure.

There was so much that went right with Crewel and, for the most part, I really loved this book. The storyline was fantastic. Each plot point was carefully developed, thought-out and led directly to the next piece. Foreshadowing was light, but just enough to keep me on my toes. Adelice was a great heroine, and I found it incredibly simple to become invested in her plight. She was strong and brave, and I never found her too be cloying or too much, if that makes sense. Likewise, the love interest, Jost, was sweet and simple, just whetting my appetite but never actually giving me exactly what I wanted. In a world of YA fiction where insta-love dominates, this was wholly refreshing. I will say, however, that I did have a bit of an issue with the world-building of Crewel. We're given immense details with the power-players in the book, such as the Spinsters, but I felt that sometimes the world, itself, played second-fiddle to the story, and I would have loved to see the backdrop of this eerie dystopia been pronounced and developed just a bit more.

Overall, however, I found Crewel to be an extremely engaging and unique read, despite its flaws. I love the concept, and the ending left me wanting more, so I'm definitely excited for the next installment in the series. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian and fantasy stories.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sun, 05 May 2013 16:41:00 +0000

Title: What's Left of Me
Author: Kat Zhang
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publish Date: September 18, 2012
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 343
Source: Publisher

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t...

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet...for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

In a world where children are born with two souls, Addie and Eva somehow still stand out. One is dominant, and one is recessive, but for most children, one eventually settles while the other thrives. But in their case, for some reason, Eva hasn't settled. She's still there...living, existing, but not really thriving as Addie, the dominant soul continues to breathe and live for the both of them. Eva's existence has to remain a secret because Hybrids are dangerous, feared and threaten the balance of society. Nevertheless, Eva wants to live, and Addie will do just about anything to help her move and exist on her own.

The young adult market is overrun with dystopian novels these days - books that broach the topic of science fiction a lot - but never actually delve into the depths of it. What's Left of Me, however, is not one of those novels. Pure, raw sci-fi, this novel is a new spin on dystopia with a searing plot full of loss, companionship and the struggle to survive. Kat Zhang has a melodic writing voice, weaving a soulful story in a heartfelt and believable way for a host of incredibly deep characters. The prose is simple and beautiful, albeit a bit repetitive at times, but altogether meaningful and creates an intense, emotional and incredible journey within the pages of What's Left of Me.

I have to say that the true beauty of What's Left of Me lies within the depth of the characters. I'm usually not too much of a fan of prologues because I feel like there is too much foreshadowing, but I actually liked this one. Eva's voice is so tragic, but rather than being cloying or overwhelming, I was actually heartbroken for her. She desperately wanted to live. She wanted to speak, and to feel, and to be able to simply do the little things that we, ourselves take for granted. But, despite her grave situation, she never wallowed. I pitied her, but not because she was pathetic. I pitied her because she had such an immense strength that emanated from her being, and I wanted to see that thrive. Likewise, Addie was such a beautiful character. Flawed but powerful and strong in her convictions, I felt like I knew her throughout, and as the story progressed, I became more and more invested in their journey together. I have to say, on the downside, I was a bit frustrated with not truly understanding why Hybrids were considered dangerous, and I think that would have heightened the intensity of the drama. Finally the ending was a bit of a letdown for me, considering the whole story had me reeling, and I guess I'd expected a more poignant conclusion to What's Left of Me.

Overall, however, I really enjoyed reading What's Left of Me. I thought it was refreshing, thorough and beautifully-done, and it was definitely a book I'll recommend to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy science fiction and dystopian novels. I give it a very solid 4 out of 5.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Let's Talk: How to Beat a Blogging Slump

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: How do you beat a (book) blogging slump?

Ha. I actually found this to be the most appropriate topic with which to resume the Let's Talk feature, namely because I've been absent from the book blogosphere for almost 8 months. I'm not going to dance around the issue. I've been blogging for 3 years now. That's a flippin' long time and, as I'm sure many of you know and understand, it can be difficult and daunting to keep it up regularly at times. I've said it once (or a million times), and I'll say it again...2012 was not a good year for me. I needed a break, and when I closed shop for a bit, it was necessary.

Frankly, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to come back. Colour it a pride thing. I felt stupid for not being able to keep it up while other bloggers seem to do so with ease. I felt bummed, tired, burned out and a bit overwhelmed by just how dang competitive the blogosphere had become. I forgot why I'd started in the first place...simply because I love books.

Deciding to come back wasn't really all that difficult, but I definitely had to be in the right frame of mine. I learned a lot with the long hiatus. For me, I need to enjoy what I do. If I don't enjoy it, I won't do it well, and I'll probably start to resent it. Who wants a hobby that they absolutely resent doing? Nobody. Unless you're insane. The point is, however, I learned a lot about what I need to do to keep motivated to keep blogging, and I sure hope these "guidelines," if you will, will help others beat future potential book blogging slumps (or ANY blogging slumps, for that matter) in the future.

1. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. It's great to take it seriously. I do. I pour my heart and soul into every review I do, and heck, I spend a lot of time on them. If you're overwhelmed, give yourself a break, step back and read something that you don't have to review. Take the pressure off.

2. Ask others for help. This is something I failed to do the first time around. I was feeling stressed, exhausted and otherwise completely inundated by everything, but I didn't ask anyone to help me out. A kind friend pointed that out to me recently, and she was so right. Maybe I should have asked someone to guest blog. Maybe I should have just seen what advice other people had for me. The point is - it's not a bad thing to ask for help.

3. Give yourself a day off. For the longest time, I was so obsessed with my blog numbers that I was terrified to take a day off from blogging because God forbid my numbers drop just a wee bit for one day. Honestly, yes, numbers are gold in the blogosphere when interacting with my publishers, but they don't define my blog, or my love of blogging. I can take a day off to recoup, and dang it, I will.

4. Have fun. Honestly, this is the biggest one for me, and it's also probably the most obvious. If you're not having fun anymore, you probably need to take a step back and figure out why. I started this because I love it, and I will keep doing it until I absolutely hate it.

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Burn for Burn
Authors: Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BYR
Publish Date: September 18, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Mary, Lillia and Kat couldn't be more different, yet they all have one thing in common. They want revenge. What's more - they want vindication. From taunts about weight, to stereotyped perceptions, to flat-out violence, all three girls have vowed to make a change. Things won't ever be the same. They won't be walked over, they won't be bullied and they certainly won't be forgotten. They're going to get revenge at all costs.

If you guys need to know one thing about me, it's simply that I'm a sucker for the concept of revenge (and the TV show by the same name...I digress). The whole, "an eye for an eye" thing is a pretty cool and time-tested concept for a novel, and I was excited to say where authors Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian took the readers with it. Fluid and engaging, Burn for Burn wove three characters into a fast-paced story with ease, giving us an insider's look into their turmoil, resentment and revenge. With a quick and easy-to-read tone, it's a book that you'll read fast and simply be left reeling wondering...is there more?

Burn for Burn was a bit of an interesting read for me. On the one hand, it really succeeded in creating three unique character voices, with which I could understand and identify. Not too many YA novels succeed in providing a revolving character POV, but Burn for Burn does it with ease. On the other hand, the book had a purported paranormal element that developed in the middle of the story. In my humble opinion, I felt that it added a bit of fluff to a story that was really otherwise succeeding. It felt haphazard and, though I'm interested to see if it is added upon in a later installment, I was kind of put off by it. I have to say that, overall, I appreciated the darker turn of Burn for Burn though. For the most part, the bond between these girls was complex, and it was a breath of fresh air. They weren't friends, but they weren't enemies, and I liked that sort of grey area through which we watched their story unravel.

All in all, I liked Burn for Burn despite a few things that I found a bit tedious and annoying. It was a good, well-written and easy to read book that I'm sure many readers will enjoy. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy darker contemporary fiction with a touch of paranormal.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Tumble & Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:57:00 +0000

Title: Tumble & Fall
Author: Alexandra Coutts
Publisher: FSG BYR
Publish Date: September 17, 2013
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Romance
Pages: 384

The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left?

Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.

First and foremost, let's take a look at that cover. Ok, now wipe the drool off your face. Am I right?! Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts is gorgeous. Second, it's got this cool, sci-fi, end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it vibe going on, which reminds me vaguely of Life As We Knew It, which is one of my favourite books. Add in romance, a twisting storyline, multiple character arcs, and I'm sold. I can't wait for this one! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Topics that Make Me Want to Read

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:13:00 +0000

Top Ten Words/Topics that Instantly Make Me Read (or Buy) a Book:

1. Dystopian - I think there must be something wrong with me because if a book is labeled as a dystopian novel, and there's something broken about a world within the pages, I simply MUST read it. Like, yesterday.

2. Science Fiction - Hah. While much of the young adult genre was swept up in the notion of paranormal romance, the ideas of cyborgs and technology-advanced societies have been running rampant through my brain. I think I'm destined to write a sci-fi novel someday.

3. Realistic - This is a huge bone of contention with me because, while I've found a soft spot for contemporary fiction these days, I feel like it often deviates too far from reality. Tell me it's actually realistic, and you've got me, hook, line and sinker. (Just don't let me down.)

4. Michelle Hodkin - I'm a fangirl. Sue me. Add her name to a cover, or mention her in a tweet, and I'm there. Colour me nuts.

5. Animals - Seriously, animals and the environment are some of my biggest passions in the world. I love the idea of making a difference on a small or minute level, but that it can carry over into something bigger. Give me a book with an animal best friend, or a journey to save the animal or environment, and it's solid gold.

6. Harry Potter - Let's be honest. Do I really have to explain this one? I think not. You're welcome.

7. Humour - I like sass. And snark. I like sassy snark...and I really like characters with an attitude. Give me a character that breaks the norm and defies the odds while maintaining a high level of these traits, and I'll likely want to be their best friend. Forever.

8. Time Travel - I think this one has to do with my penchant for one of my all-time favourite books, Time Windows. There's something so innately cool about the idea of traveling to long lost worlds or those that have yet to come to pass.

9. Horror - Like I said before. There's something wrong with me. I'm ok with it.

10. Overseas - I don't think I've read enough books set overseas. This is a big one for me lately. I really want new and exciting destinations within the pages of my books.