When You Were Mine Review

Author: Rebecca Serle
Release date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 334
How I got it: For review from publisher 

In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale.  

What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.      

Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.     Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends…

I had no idea what to expect when I cracked When You Were Mine open, but I ended up being shocked in the best kind of way! Between its fresh yet elegant prose and addicting new take on Romeo and Juliet, this book managed to grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. I started this book at 3 in the afternoon and stayed up until 1:30 AM to finish it the same day. Yep, it was that addicting.

Rosaline is a character you will identify with immediately, and her friends Charlie and Olivia are also wonderfully bold and fun characters. It was also easy to hate Rob and Juliet but also easy to sometimes like them, especially when Rosaline told an especially sweet story of her and Rob's past friendship. The fact that no one was necessarily the "bad guy" made the novel that much more enjoyable. Also, YAY LEN.

I haven't read the original Romeo and Juliet but I mean, come on, we all know the story. That being said, I though Searles did a good job staying true to the original while also modernizing the classic tale. When You Were Mine proved to be funny, sad, sweet, and full of surprisingly raw emotion at times. Fans of contemporary can't afford to miss Serle's great debut.

Plot: The classic contemporary story-line with a cool twist.

Characters: I liked each of them in their own way.

Writing: Very good. I'll be looking for Serle's next novel.

Ending: Somehow I didn't see it coming (though I really should have) but I think it fit very well, though it did feel a little rushed.

Kid friendly? There was under-age drinking and swearing.

Overall:

You can pry this book from my cold, dead hands.

Dude, there was no way I was putting this book down. When You Were Mine initially hooked me with Rosaline's voice, and then I stayed for...well, everything else. One of my favorite reads of 2012 so far!

Trish Doller Interview

Something Like Normal totally rocked my socks, so I am super excited to have the very sweet and very awesome Trish Doller, author of Something Like Normal, over for an interview on this here blog of mine!

Where did the idea for Something Like Normal come from?

Almost a decade ago, when I was working as a staff reporter for my local newspaper, I interviewed a Marine who was home on leave after being deployed to Iraq. It struck me how young he was, and how he'd seen and done things his high school friends would never experience. When I actually started writing what would become Something Like Normal, it was about a girl and Travis was meant to be her love interest. But the memory of that interview came back and I realized he was a far more compelling character. 

I loved that you tackled something I've never read in YA before: war from a Marine's point of view. Did you ever think that a book about a Marine would be to adult for young adult? Was your agent and/or editor worried about it or totally on board?

I did have a moment of worry that a 19-year-old Marine might not qualify as young adult, but coming home from Afghanistan throws Travis back into a world where he's sleeping in his childhood bed, hanging around with his former high school friends, and dealing with the same issues he's always had with his dad. So while he's grown up and gone off to fight a war, he's expected to just fit right back into the space he left. And I think that's very young adult fiction. As for my agent, it was never a question. I sent her the first few chapters to get her thoughts and she suggested we submit it to a few editors. 

While I was reading your book, one of the things that really stood out to me was how much you really seemed to know about what the Marines and the protocol for it, etc. Did you already know this info before writing SLN, or did you have to do a ton of research?

I did a staggering amount of research for Something Like Normal. I started by reading books about the war in Afghanistan, post-traumatic stress disorder, boot camp...basically anything I thought I'd need to know about Marines. I watched movies (I highly recommend The Dry Land) and YouTube videos of Marines in combat; downloaded dozens of pictures; read internet articles about the Marines fighting in Helmand Province; and joined a message board, where Marines talked about everything--from dirty jokes to their experiences in war. Most of the videos, pictures, and articles were following a single battalion--the 3rd Battalion/6th Marines--during Operation Moshtarak, which was the assault on Marjah. Even though I didn't know any of the guys, I cried my eyes out when they came home. The best part of the research, though, was "meeting" one of the guys from that battalion through the message board. He answer questions for me about Afghanistan and when he went back on his second deployment, I sent him care packages.

Tell us something about you that's not on your "About The Author" page.

I have a weakness for guys who smuggle things on spaceships. Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds...this means you.

Coke or Pepsi?

I'm one of those weird people who likes both and alternates between them depending on my mood. But if I had to choose...Gah! Who knew this question could be so complicated?! I think...Coke. (I'm sorry, Pepsi.)

What's a book you wish got more attention?

I have a list of books I wish got more attention, but I think the one that stands out most in my mind is Blythe Woolston's The Freak Observer. She won the Morris Award for that book, but when the average shopper is going for the blockbusters, that brilliant little book gets overlooked and that's so wrong.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

You know how when you take a multiple choice exam you'll color in the bubble, change your mind, erase furiously, and color in a new bubble, only to find your first answer was correct? This. Don't spend too much time second guessing yourself. Trust your instincts.


Thank you so much for that great interview, Trish! I hope everyone enjoys reading your answers as much as I did.

Something Like Normal Review

Author: Trish Doller

Release date: June 19, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 224

How I got it: For review via netgalley

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero. 

Something Like Normal is the best 2012 contemporary I've read so far this year. That's saying something, but I have no doubt in my mind that it's a completely true statement.

The fact that this book is YA makes me happy. This could've easily been marketed towards adults but I'm so glad it wasn't. I'm so glad I can shove this book into the hands of YA-naysayers in the future knowing they will say nay no longer because Doller does not hold anything back. SLN is even more heart-pounding intense than I expected it to be, which is saying something. This book is full of solid, real emotion that I appreciated and identified with.

Because of said intensity and emotion, the character it revolves around, Travis, is kinda screwed-up in a few ways. Despite that (or perhaps partially because of it?) I quickly and fully invested in his character. And I was so happy when Harper was introduced because she is just what he needed. She's tough but sweet, and that's also exactly how I'd describe their relationship. It really helped lighten the novel just the touch it needed. Another relationship I really enjoyed was the growing one between Travis and his mom.

Also, let my just point out another thing that stood out to me: the obvious knowledge Doller had on the subject of the marines. (Of course, that could be because that had been pointed out to me before I read it.) I devoured Something Like Normal as fast as possible, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. This one is a must-read for all contemporary fans.

Plot: Unlike anything I've ever read and I loved that.

Characters: Each is fully developed and lovable.

Writing: Great.

Ending: I was worried I wouldn't get closure, but I did and YAY.

Kid friendly? There were mentions of sex, drugs, drinking, and swearing.

Overall:

Good luck prying me away from this one.
Something Like Normal was a wonderfully crafted contemporary that invaded my thoughts even when I wasn't reading, and I had to stay up late into the night to finish it.

Waiting on Wednesday

This week I'm waiting on...

The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin

"Jane has only one place to turn: her older brother Ethan, who left the problems at home years ago for college. A summer with him and his tornado-chasing buddies may just provide the time and space Jane needs to figure out her life and whether it still includes her mother."

The Program by Suzanne Young

"Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. "

Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

"But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number!"

The Dead and the Buried by Kim Harrington

"Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school -- until her untimely death last year."

Howl's Moving Castle Review

Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Release date: August 21, 2001 (First printing: 1986)
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Pages: 329
How I got it: Library 

In which a witch bewitched the hatter's daughter--and then some... 

Sophie lived in the town of Market Chipping, which was in Ingary, a land in which anything could happen, and often did--especially when the Witch of the Waste got her dander up. Which was often. 

As her younger sisters set out to seek their fortunes Sophie stayed in her father's hat shop. Which proved most unadventurous, until the Witch of the Waste came in to buy a bonnet, but was not pleased. Which is why she turned Sophie into an old lady. Which was spiteful witchery. 

Now Sophie must seek her own fortune. Which means striking a bargain with the lecherous Wizard Howl. Which means entering his ever-moving castle, taming a blue fire-demon, and meeting the Witch of the Waste head-on. Which was more than Sophie bargained for...

I want to love fantasy, I really do. ...But I just don't. Fantasy novels rarely ever hold my attention, and Howl's Moving Castle was not the exception. I enjoyed the characters and the quirky humor Wynne-Jones effortlessly infused into the story, but I just seemed to find myself all too willing to put it down.

I'll start with my favorite part of the novel: Sophie.What a wonderfully feisty heroine! Even when she's an old lady, does she ohhh I don't know, curl up in a ball and the woods and then stare out a window for four months. NOPE. She's like, "K." and does what needs to be done. She was so cool.

The plot had a lot going on. Maybe it seemed like that because I wasn't fully invested in it to begin with, but that's just my opinion. However, it all tied together in the end, which was really cool. But still. A lot going on.

Howl's Moving Castle is a classic YA fantasy, but sadly it wasn't for me. While I in no way disliked this novel, I did end up finding myself indifferent throughout the book. However, if you haven't read this yet, I'd still recommend it so you can experience Wynne Jone's clever writing style and story-telling. Also because it's one of my best friends all time favorite books.

Plot: Seemed kind of scattered, but elements of it were cool.

Characters: Sophie was awesome. Michael and Calcifer were pretty cool too, and while sometimes I found Howl annoying I did like him.

Writing: Really good.

Ending: Tied everything up nicely.

Kid friendly? Very!

Overall:

I put this one down a LOT.

Yep, sorry Sophie, your story just didn't hold my interest and adoration like I wanted it to, but I have mad respect for you and your author. And if I ever grow to like fantasy, I'll totally give you another try.

The Downsides to Being a Reader

• Being tired because I stayed up late reading last night.
• That feeling I get when I finish one of my favorite series.
• The lack of room for all of my books.
• Feeling like I have nothing in common with a person when I find out they don't read.
• Trying to remember the plot of that book I read two years ago when the sequel comes out.
• Laughing to myself like a weirdo while reading...in public.
• Nearly crying--as I never full-on cry--to myself like a crazy person...in public.
• It's probably the main reason I had to get glasses, according to Mr. Eye Doctor.
• People in real life usually don't measure up to the people in books.
• Everyone makes assumptions about me when they hear I'm a reader. (Like, "Omg she's a homeschooled reader she's a freak kids pretend like you can't hear her." ((Not that anything like that's happened to me. But I can SEE the fear in their eyes.)

...Those were all I could come up with. Obviously, I feel the positives outweigh the negatives. A lot.

And now, here's a picture of a German Shepard enjoying said positives:

Credit

Unbreak My Heart Review

Author: Melissa Walker
Release date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 240
How I got it: E-galley for review via publisher 

Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart? Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to.

I must apologize to all YA romance, because here's the harsh truth: I will always compare you to Stephanie Perkins novels. I really am sorry because I know it's not fair but I can't help it, I just love them so! And Unbreak My Heart didn't get me nearly as warm and fuzzy as Perkins' books did, but it was a cute book that wasn't too bad.

My main problem with it would be the main character, Clementine. She has several traits that in theory would make me love her, like a love of reading, awesome music, and Dr Pepper, but she just seemed a little stupid and a little too wrapped up in herself. Her growth was nice, but by the end I still didn't love her like I wanted to. I did like her love interest James, though that probably had something to do with his red hair that gave me the ability to rightfully imagine him as Rupert Grint. Their romance was sweet and smile-inducing, but nothing spectacular.

Walker's writing style is light and easy to read, with some particularly good passages. It's obvious that she did her research on sailboats or has had some experience with them, and I definitely appreciated that. Although, some of the jokes she made fell completely flat for me. I think it was just a case of having a different sense of humor than the author.

Something else I must comment on was how nice it was to read about a functional sister-duo. Clem's little sister Olive can be a tad annoying, but both of the girls are kind and loyal to each other 'til the end. So despite a few qualms I had with Unbreak My Heart I did end up enjoying it a decent amount, and if you're looking for a cute, light read I wouldn't steer you away from this one.

Plot: Kinda typical, but done pretty well.

Characters: Clem was rather annoying, but I liked Rupert James, and Olive too.

Writing: Easy and fun.

Ending: Predictable but nice.

Kid friendly? Light swearing, and brief mentions of making out.

Overall:

I'd put the book down, but I didn't not like it.

Nothing about Unbreak My Heart was especially remarkable, but none of it was bad either, making it a slightly-above-average read for me. If you're a fan of YA romance, give it a go, but maybe get it from the library.