Book Review: How to Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo

How to Say I Love You Out Loud
Author:  Karole Cozzo
Publisher:  Swoon Reads, 240 pages
Publication Date:  August 3, 2015
*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley

From Goodreads:
When Jordyn Michaelson’s autistic brother joins her at her elite school, she’s determined not to let anyone know they're related. Even if that means closing herself off to all her closest friends, including charming football stud Alex Colby. But despite her best intentions, she just can't shake the memory of kissing Alex last summer, and the desire to do it again. Can Jordyn find the courage to tell Alex how she really feels—and the truth about her family—before he slips away forever?

Review:

This is one of those feel good books that leaves you with a goofy smile on your face.  

It's about a boy who can't express himself, can't use his speech, and a girl who chooses not to.

It's about a girl who has always tried to blend in, who never wants to be seen, but because she always holds herself back, she's also lonely and has let herself miss out on true friendships and love.

It's about a girl finally being brave.

It sends a powerful message about what's important, who's important.

And Alex…what a genuinely good guy.  The romance is light but it's perfect.

Posted by:  Pam 

Book Review: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Embrace (The Violet Eden Chapters #1)

Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Hachette Australia, 382 pages
Publication Date: October 1, 2010

From Goodreads
It starts with a whisper.

It's time for you to know who you are..."

Stange dreams leave her with very real injuries and there's a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms. The guy she thought she could fall in love with just told her he's only half-human - oh, and same goes for her. And she keeps hearing a distant fluttering of wings.

Violet Eden is having a very bad 17th bithday.

But if angels seek vengeance and humans are warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden.

Review:
I started this book knowing very little about the series except that the cover was beautiful and my co-blogger loves it.  The book has a slow start but then I couldn't put it down.  I came to really like Violet once she decided to deal with her new reality and the relationship twist completely surprised me because it is so rarely used in young adult fiction.  While this book covers a lot of ground it is only the first book in the five book series which is now complete and I can binge read!!!  

I would love to know what others thought about Violet's decision with regard to Phoenix and what it communicates about relationships to young adult readers.

Stay tuned for the rest of the series review.

Posted By: Sheri

Book Review: A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes

A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves #1)
Author:  Morgan Rhodes
Publisher:  Razorbill, 368 pages
Publication Date:  June 23, 2015

From Goodreads:
Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her mother’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspear Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself….

Review:

Falling Kingdoms is one of my favorite series so I was so excited to read this spin-off series.  I LOVED IT.  Here's why:

1.  Unusual combination of urban fantasy and traditional fantasy.  I don't think I've ever read a book that combined the two.  Crystal and her sister Becca live in modern day Toronto along with Farrell Grayson, but then Becca's spirit (sort of) somehow gets sucked into Mytica.  

2.  Complex characters.  As is the case in Falling Kingdoms, Morgan Rhodes does a fantastic job of creating well-drawn and complex characters.  Characters who do horrible things and seem evil, but then also have heart and have the potential to be heroes.  There's one particular character in this book that appears to be turning into a villain, but you just never know and I love that you can't easily peg these characters.

3.  Elegant world-building.  It may be just that I love Falling Kingdoms so much but I love Mytica, the mythology is fascinating.  The part of the book that takes place in Mytica is a long time before the events that take place in Falling Kingdoms so if you haven't read that series, you don't have to in order to read this book.

4.  Fantastic plot.  Couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read the next one.  

5 Enthusiastic Stars!

Posted by:  Pam

Stacking the Shelves (106)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  It is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Bought:

Daughter of Dusk by Livia Blackburne

Of Dreams and Rust by Sarah Fine

  What books did you add to your shelves this week?

Posted by:  Pam

Discussion Question: What Do You Want in a Book Review?

There are so many different ways to write a book review.  Some people divide the review into different parts, focusing on plot, setting, characters, etc.  Others divide the review into what they like and didn't like.  Still others write in a conversational tone, giving their thoughts on the book.  Some write really short reviews, others write long ones.

When you're reading a book review, what's important to you?  What makes a good, well-written review?

I feel like I don't really have a style.  Sometimes I write super short reviews, sometimes they're longer.  I usually don't write too much about the plot since sometimes when I read other reviews the reviewer spoils the book by giving me too much information.  Sometimes I divide it up and focus on what I liked and didn't like.  

There are some reviews I read and even if I didn't know which blog I was reading, I would know by the review.  But that's not the case with me.  I still struggle with what people really want to know when they read it.  How much information is too much information?  Should I be focusing on certain things?

After writing over 300 reviews, I feel like I say the same thing over and over and over again.  I want the blog to be fresh and fun and to give readers a sense of what the book is like and why it worked or didn't work, what I loved about it, but lately I've been struggling.  What do you want in a book review??

Posted by:  Pam

Audiobook Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 479 Pages
Publication Date: August 31, 2010

Narrator: Jennifer Ehle
Listening Length: 14 hours and 35 minutes
Audiobook Publisher: Simon & Shuster Audio

From Goodreads:
In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them.

Review:
I've mentioned before that I love audiobooks.  I listen to them all the time!  Depending on what I am doing I will listen to a familiar classic, a Shakesperian play, or a young adult adventure.  This summer AUDIBLE has done a great job getting readers hooked on new series by selling the first book for a super low price.  Even though I previously read the Infernal Devices I thought it might be a great audiobook series and I was right!

Since I assume most of you know the story I am going to focus on why you should listen to the audiobook.  First, the narrator is very good with a lovely accent and with interesting differences among the character voices.  Second, listening to the story again after having finished this series and the Mortal Instruments series allowed me to think more about the connections across the characters and to pay attention to the subtle details I missed the first time when I was speed reading the book to know what happened next.  So for those who love audiobooks I would definitely recommend this book for first time readers or for those who have completed the books.

Posted By: Sheri

Book Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything 
Author:  Nicola Yoon
Publisher:  Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 307 pages
Expected Publication Date:  September 1, 2015
*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley

From Goodreads:
My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book.  I was expecting a love story between a dying girl and a guy and that's not this book.  I mean, it sort of is but it's not.  

Beautiful writing, an amazing main character who just wants to live, really live, be a part of the world and experience everything she should.  Olly…loved this guy.  He wears all black, has his own family issues to deal with, and then he falls for Maddy, the girl who lives next door who can never come out of her house.  Loved their relationship, the e-mails, the instant messages, etc. 

The whole time I'm reading, there's this sense of foreboding, and then there's a HUGE TWIST and it took me completely by surprise.  I mean, jaw dropping, WHAT??????  

My one complaint is the open ending.  I wanted MORE.

Posted by:  Pam

Book Review: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between
Author:  Jennifer E. Smith
Publisher:  Poppy, 256 pages
Expected Publication Date:  September 1, 2015
*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley

From Goodreads:
On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan only have one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they'll retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night will lead them to friends and family, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

Review:

This is a tough review to write because I did like the book, but it just made me sad. Jennifer E. Smith does a fantastic job of capturing the mixed feelings that people can have when graduating from high school and starting college.  On the one hand, Clare and Aidan are excited to start the next part of their lives; however, they are going to different colleges.  Clare is going to Dartmouth and Aidan is going to UCLA. It's the last night before they both leave and they still haven't decided whether they're going to try and make it work or whether they should just break up.  Aidan thinks they can make a long distance relationship work while Clare doesn't, which makes sense given their personalities.  Aidan is more emotional, spontaneous, and a talker while Clare is a planner, a list maker, and more quiet and introspective.  

Maybe it was just the mood I was in when I read it, but it made me feel a little nostalgic and missing people that I have let drift away.  Even though Clare's parents have tried to help her, talking about college being the beginning of everything, the first chapter of the rest of her life, Clare is upset because it seems like they're saying that everything she's done up to this point in her life isn't important and that the memories don't actually count.  To be honest, I've never thought about it that way before.

I liked both Clare and Aidan but I didn't connect with them as much as I wanted to. Reading this book about a couple at the end (possibly the end?) of their relationship made me realize how much I love reading about couples meeting, getting to know each other, falling in love, etc. 

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between is a thoughtful and realistic book about growing up and making tough choices.  Although there's a sense of melancholy throughout, the second prologue (really the epilogue) made me smile.  I do recommend it, but just know going in that this is not a light and fluffy read.

Posted by:  Pam

Stacking the Shelves (105)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  It is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.


Bought:

Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Already read it and loved it!

Kissing in America by Margo Rabb.  Kindle daily deal…couldn't resist.

Alive by Scott Sigler.  I'm drawn to stories where the main character wakes up and has no idea who she is.

    What books did you add to your shelves this week?

Posted by:  Pam