Waiting On Wednesday: Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

Magonia

By Maria Dahvana Headley

Publication Date: April 28 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in this fantasy about a girl caught between two worlds…two races…and two destinies.

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air. 

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live. 

So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn’t think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia. 

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

Why I Picked it:

            This is one of the many (MANY) books that both Buttersnaps99 and I are anxiously waiting on. But I have to admit, I was hesitant when I first read the description, I was kind of hesitant about it, because it’s compared to The Fault in Our Stars and, well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of having my heart ripped out and stomped on when reading. I like Happily Ever Afters. But the rest of the summary was just too good to pass up, and so I am willing to give it a fair shot and winning me over. Would you like to read Magonia? If so, click here and it will take you to the library’s Website where you can put a hold on it.

Monday Meme Spotlight: Not-So-Wonderland

     I was never one who loved Alice in Wonderland- not the classic story, at least. Even for my imagination, it was a little bit too crazy. Sometimes that happens- a book is so out there that even though it's a classic, you can't really wrap your head around it. And then I found some books that took Alice's world and twisted it into something wholly different, something amazing. Now, I haven't read all of these series, but I have on good authority that they're very good, and most of them are on my read list. So here are a few Alice-twists that caught my eye.

1. The Looking Glass Wars- Frank Beddor: This is hands-down my favorite adaptation. It took total nonsense and turned it into something I could wrap my head around- still wild, still fantastic, but utterly thrilling. Alyss is swept away from Wonderland and tells her story to Carroll, hoping that someone will come find her, take her home. And they do- only to be challenged by the Cat, the personal assassin of the Queen of Hearts and wrapped in a dangerous game of imagination and a struggle for the throne. It's exhilarating, unique, entrancing- any number of words, and I highly recommend all three books in the series. You can find them by clicking here.

2. The Splintered series- A.G. Howard: This is a series that I think about a lot. I haven't read it yet, but the covers of all three books catch my eye every time I look at them. It's a tale of madness and is darker than you might expect, but I've heard good things, and the first book is a nominee for one of KHCPL's current teen displays- the Elliot Rosewater Award. You ccan find out more and request a copy here.

3. The White Rabbit Chronicles- Gena Showalter: This is a retelling that I'm not very familiar with (not a zombie fan) but I've heard good things from a former coworker. The synopsis is vague, the concept could be interesting, but it's up to you to decide. I personally am more interested in the previous two series, but of course it's your decision. You can check out the White Rabbit Chronicles by clicking this link

4. Heartless- Marissa Meyer: Okay, this one isn't released yet, and it probably won't be until next year sometime, but I'm so excited I have to include it. It's a prequel about the Queen of Hearts and how she became what she is, written by the same author that writes the Lunar Chronicles (Cinder, Scarlet, Fairest, Winter). I love those books, and I love the concept, so I'm really hoping it's amazing.

     So whatever you think about Alice in Wonderland, keep on believing and don't let the man get you down, whatever that actually means. And just remember-

So keep on dreaming.

Teen Book Review: My Best Friend Maybe by Caela Carter

My Best Friend Maybe, by Caela Carter, is one of my all-time favorite books. Colette, or ‘Coley’ has just been invited, or ahem, begged to go on her ex-best friends, Sadie’s, summer trip. But previous scenarios make Coley want to say no. Even though she said yes, she still doesn’t realize what she’s gotten herself into. With a summer full of surprises and secrets, there’s not a boring page in this book. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Click here to place a hold on this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

Cold Burn Of Magic

By Jennifer Estep

Publication Date: April 28, 2015

From Goodreads:

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. . .

Why I picked it:

I’ll be honest here, the reason I want to read this book is because it sounds kinda strange, but in the best way possible. It sounds like a mix of Lili St. Crow’s book Nameless, and the ABC television show Once Upon A Time (and I am particularly fond of both of those) If you’d like to read this book click here to put your name on the hold list

Monday Meme Spotlight: Can't-Wait Summer Releases

  And so I will. Continuing the theme of summer reading (speaking of which- the library's theme for Summer Reading Club is superheroes- be sure to keep an eye out for the signup openings!) my spotlight this week is on books I'm excited for this summer. By 'summer' I mean books released in June through August, even though some of these are technically released in 'spring'. So here are a few I can't wait for (but believe me- there are loads more).

1. Daughter of Deep Silence- Carrie Ryan, 2 June 2015: Just thinking about this book makes me excited. I read Ryan's other series, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but zombie books aren't really my cup of tea. The writing, however, was fantastic. Ryan is a great storyteller, and Daughter of Deep Silence is exactly the kind of book a like. A mysterious thriller with high stakes and a deadline, this is going to be one for the ages, I'm sure. The library has ordered this one already, so you can put a hold on it  here.

2. The Devil You Know- Trish Doller, 2 June 2015: Another mystery, another thriller this is the newest release from an author I really enjoy. What starts out as a fun camping trip turns deadly when one of the campers turns out to have murderous intentions. Doller's books are concise, well-written, and always interesting, and this thriller has gotten my attention already.

3. Silver in the Blood- Jessica Day George, 7 July 2015: Two of my favorite things are combined in this novel from a proven author- luxurious 1800s history and family secrets. This family's secret is that they're shape-shifters. There are a lot of books that sounds like they're similar, but usually they're set in modern times, and if they aren't, the shifters are treated as outcasts, or put themselves in that position. In this novel, they're powerful families, society's elite. And I can't wait to read all about it.
   

4. The Summer of Chasing Mermaids- Sarah Ockler, (another) 2 June 2015: I saved the best for last. I adore Sarah Ockler- she's one of my absolute favorite authors, and it takes a lot to make it onto that list. This novel especially makes my heart seize up when I think about it, because just the premise is so...different. Different setting, different circumstances, a different perspective- the only thing that isn't different is the knowledge that you will have a happy ending (and as a big believer in that, I simply cannot wait until June).
    
     So this is just four of many, many books that I can't wait to get my hands on. For more highly-anticipated books, make sure you check back every Wednesday for kwatanabe's Waiting on Wednesday selection- she has great taste, and her top picks are usually books I'm really excited for, too. So keep on waiting for the warm weather and the delectable summer releases.
  
      Patience is a virtue, so they say.

Librarian Book Review: Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

Summary:

Jam was head over heels in love with her British exchange student boyfriend Reeve. That is until he died, leaving her in so much pain she couldn’t cope with the rest of the world. Not knowing what else to do, her parents send her away to the Wooden Barn, a boarding school for teens who have difficulties or are dealing with trauma. At the Wooden Barn, Jam finds herself assigned to a most unusual English class, Special Topics in English. In the class they will spend the entire semester studying the writings of Sylvia Plath, and writing in a red leather journal. When she starts writing in her journal, Jam finds herself transported to Belzhar, a magical place where Reeve is alive again and they can be together. Unfortunately, each trip uses up pages in the journal and Jam’s trips are limited. Reliving the times with Reeve also bring Jam closer to facing the truth.

Review:

Wow. Where do I start?

This book made it to the top of my reading list because I really didn’t have a choice. It was chosen by my book group as an interesting new title. I don’t think I would have read it otherwise. Let me say, it was a great pick. There is so much to discuss about this book I really can’t wait until our next meeting.

Jam is a sympathetic character. She is in pain and suffering from the loss of her boyfriend. Then she is forced to go to this boarding school where she doesn’t want to go.  It is only in the Special Topics in English class where she begins to open up and connect with other students.

The pacing of the novel is good, and while the other characters begin to open up about their stories, Jam keeps hers hidden and keep you wondering about what really happened. 

Belzhar is a unique construct in this novel, and learning the rules is the fun part. I loved how Wolitzer described this magical place. Each student in Special Topics has their own version of Belzhar where they can experience their life before the trauma that sent the to the Wooden Barn happened.

Audiobook Review:

The audio version of this novel is roughly 8 hours. It is read by Jorjeana Marie and produced by Random House/Listening Library. The production is really well done and free of flaws. Jorjeana Marie does a fabulous job with the narration and making Jam a believable character.  If you like audiobooks this would be a good way to experience this novel.

Overall:
When I first started reading this novel I wasn’t sure what to expect. It is one of those genre bending books that is difficult to classify. So much of the story is realistic fiction, but the story couldn’t happen without the fantasy elements of Belzhar. In the end this novel was an engrossing read. You want to know what really happened to Reeve and why Jam won’t talk about it. Once you get into the novel, you won’t want to put it down.

Cautions for Sensitive Readers:

Violence: Mild
Sex: Mild
Language: Mild
Drugs/Alcohol: None

Click here to place a hold on the book.
Click here to place a hold on the book on CD.
Click here to place a hold on the playaway.
Click here to place a hold on the ebook.

Waiting On Wednesday: The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

The Fill-In Boyfriend

By Kasie West

Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend— two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party — three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

Why I Picked it:

I love Kasie West. I know, I say that about a lot of authors, but I really really love Kasie West and her books. She is able to create characters that I can relate to. I get swept into their world. I laugh when they laugh, cry when they cry, it’s amazing. I always get so excited when I hear that she is going to release another book. The premise is intriguing as well. A fill-in boyfriend? Hmmm, I don't see what could possibly go wrong...

Another thing that drew me to her books in the first place is that all of her contemporary YA books have absolutely gorgeous covers. And yes, I know, I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I can't help it, they're amazing. Here, let me put them side by side:

 See what I mean? If you’d like to read any of these books to see if they live up to my hype, all you have to do is click HERE and the link will take you to these books on the library’s Website so you can put your name on the hold list. She's also written two supernatural YA books called Pivot Point and Split Second that you can check out as well.