Review: The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


Colby's post-high school plans have long been that he and his best friend Bev would tour with her band, then spend a year in Europe. When Bev announces that she will start college just after the tour, Colby struggles to understand why she changed her mind and what losing her means for his future.


I have been looking forward to the release of this novel since I read LaCour's debut Hold Still over the summer.  Her ability to create believable characters and beautiful writing made me an instant fan.  And as much as I loved her first novel, I'll be honest, I loved the second one even more.


Even though Colby is the narrator in this book, rather than the love interest, he might be my new favorite YA man.  He is creative, loyal, and just the right amount of hung up on Bev to be romantic.  Because I was so staunchly in Colby's corner, though, I probably disliked Bev more than I should have.  Her aloof and secretive nature, especially at the beginning of the novel, soured me a bit.  However, the more I got into the story, the more I started to appreciate Bev; there is a deeper reason why she wounded my guy so badly.  However, by far my two favorite characters were Meg and Alexa, the other members of The Disenchantments, who, along with Bev, hope to be a new riot grrrl band a la Bikini Kill (though Bev's favorite band is Sleater-Kinney.  Worth YouTubing by the way - they are excellent!).  Meg and Alexa are quirky, cute, and well-designed, especially for supporting characters.  


The plot of the novel is driven by the "great journey" theme as The Disenchantments travel up the coast of California, touring in small towns on the band's way to drop Meg off at Lewis and Clark University in Portland.  This trip throws the characters into new experiences, which in turn causes them to have moments of self-discovery, and brings them to new understandings of one another.  While it perhaps is not the most exciting plot in the sense of thrilling, breathtaking suspense, it has a different sort of charm.  Plus, LaCour's writing is some of the best writing I have read in a long time, which keeps me engaged.  Personally, my favorite part of the story was the sub-plot involving Colby's father, uncle, and mother.  The two guys were also in a band, which leads to some touching parallels between the two groups.


Though I would have read this book if it was bound in a brown paper bag, I absolutely ADORE the cover.  The whole "Instagram" photo quality the cover fits perfectly with the art-student, bohemian flavor of the characters.  Content-wise, there isn't a whole lot with which to be concerned.  There is some language, and a few moments involving sex.  Nothing is described explicitly, but it is not exactly left up to the imagination either.  Between this and the more nuanced plot, I would recommend this book for older or more mature readers.


I can only hope that LaCour comes out with a third novel soon.  Without a doubt, she has become one of my favorite rising YA authors, and I can't wait to share this novel with my students.  What a great sophomore read!

Top Ten Tuesday 8

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's topic is the Top Ten Books I'd Give a Theme Song.  Given that music and reading are two of my favorite pastimes, I thought for sure this would be a snap.  Wrong.  So, I have certainly tried my best, but some on this list probably fall short.

Without further ado...



The Top Ten Books I'd Give a Theme Song


1.  Divergent by Veronica Roth = "Knights of Cydonia" by Muse

I can just imagine Tris kicking serious butt to this song.  To be fair, when the guitar solo starts, I'm pretty sure I could dismantle a brick wall with my bare hands.  The chorus "No one's gonna take me alive / The time has come to make things right / You and I must fight for our rights / You and I must fight to survive" could be she and Four's anthem!

2.  The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins = "Uprising" by Muse

Okay, so clearly I have a minor obsession with both dystopian novels and Muse.  Who doesn't love Matthew Bellamy and his power to fire up?  Truthfully, these lyrics fit this entire series perfectly.  A sampling:

Interchanging mind control
Come let the revolution take it's toll
If you could flick a switch and open your third eye
You'd see that we should never be afraid to die

So come on

Rise up and take the power back
It's time the fat cats had a heart attack
You know that their time's coming to an end
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend


3.  Hate List by Jennifer Brown = "All These Things I've Done" by The Killers

A fantastic novel and even better song (I sang it at my wedding, that's how crazy I am about it!).  The messages of both forgiveness and accepting our shortcomings run through the song and novel.  I can see Valerie reminding herself, "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier."

4.  Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers = "Hammerhead" by The Offspring

This novel is a fantastic story about a soldier and what it means for him to serve his country - the ideas of brotherhood, loyalty, and blind compliance all come into question, just like in the song.  For example, "I'll take a life, that others may live / Oh, that's just the way it goes / I shut my eyes, it hammers in my head / where it'll end nobody knows" fits any battle.  Plus, the overall intense nature of the song is perfect for any gripping scene.

5.  Looking for Alaska by John Green = "Bohemian Like You" by The Dandy Warhols

Both the novel and the song share a sense of kinship between two misfits.  Plus, Alaska's car came to mind with the opening lines:  "You've got a great car / Yeah what's wrong with it today / I used to have one too / Maybe I'll come and have a look."

6.  The Immortals series by Alyson Noel = "Yellow" by Coldplay

Devotion comes across in this song, and save perhaps the Twilight series, no other series expresses eternal devotion quite like The Immortals.  Ever and Damen's love has spanned lifetimes - how more devoted can you get?

7.  Fire by Kristin Cashore = "Molly's Chambers" by Kings of Leon

Partly this pairing was inspired by the fact that both the song and novel are borderline inappropriate (certainly the song more so).  After all, the main character, Fire, is someone who is physically desirable and able to control other's minds.  The song describes someone very similar, and speaks to me of female power.

8.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green = "An End Has a Start" by The Editors

This is another pairing where it's too difficult to pick a section of lyrics to share!  The theme of hope even in the face of inevitable loss is what came across strongest in Green's novel, as it does in the song.  If you will:

I won't disappoint you
As you fall apart
Some things should be simple
Even an end has a start

Someone hit the lights
 'Cause there's more here to be seen
When you caught my eye
I saw everywhere I'd been
And wanna go too

You came on your own
That's how you'll leave
With hope in your hands
And air to breathe

You'll lose everything
But in the end
Still my broken limbs
You'll find time to mend


9.  Fracture by Megan Miranda = "Passenger Seat" by Death Cab for Cutie

I'm probably just giving a theme song to this novel because I finished it last night (stay tuned for a review... get it?  Tuned?  Because I'm making theme songs? :), but two ideas stood out to me.  One is the nighttime, wintry mood that both the novel and song project.  The second comes at the end of the song, which speaks to someone's companionship and closeness with someone else, be they friends or something more...

"When you feel embarrassed / Then I'll be your pride / When you need directions / Then I'll be the guide / For all time"

10.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor = "Resistance" by Muse

I just couldn't let the list end without an appearance by my new favorite book and my favorite band!  Love in the face of extreme fear, disapproval, and discrimination drives Taylor's story, as embodied by the following:

Is your secret safe tonight?  And are we out of sight?
Or will our world come tumbling down?
Will they find our hiding place?  Is this our last embrace?
Or will the walls start caving in?

...

Love is our resistance they'll keep us apart and they won't stop
breaking us down and hold me
Our lips must always be sealed

Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.
 
PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.
 
Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.
 
Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.


This book has been one that's sat on my bookshelves FOREVER, collecting dust.  I bought it to add to my classroom library, but wanted to preview it first before handing it out to students.  Very glad that I took the time to read it!  It's one that might be tough to sell to students, so having some talking points about it will be helpful.


The characters in this book were fantastically created.  Andi, the protagonist, absolutely broke my heart.  Sadly, I think her extreme guilt and depression over what happened to her brother resonate with teen readers, as so many of them carry burdens they shouldn't.  My heart went out to Andi, which helped excuse some of her oblivious moments or bad behavior.  The other important characters, though many in number, were also created deftly.  I found myself taking a personal interest in them, which is a must when trying to hook readers!


For me personally, the plot was exciting and engaging, but a bit convoluted, especially the portions that are narrated through Alexandrine's diary.  She mixes the timeline up a bit in those, and since the reader is already being transported back in time, it can get a bit confusing.  There were also just A LOT of diary entries - perhaps more than were necessary.  Though I was curious to find out about the Revolution and Alex's story, I was much more interested in Andi's journeys in Paris.  The ending, however, was absolutely WONDERFUL and worth pushing through some of the other overly "twisty" parts to reach.


Andi's narration draws readers in, but for this reason I offer a bit of caution.  She's a very messed up girl.  For some of my little tenderhearts, she might even be too messed up.  I can think of some, however, who have admitted to liking dark books, and for them, Andi is a perfect narrator.  Even in the midst of a serious personal crisis, she does have a fantastic sense of humor, which I appreciated.


One other caveat to this book when it comes to recommendations.  It references music throughout the entire narrative.  Personally, I enjoyed the references, as Andi's thesis (and iPod playlist) is based largely off the work of my favorite band - Radiohead (*dreamy sigh*).  While I'm not sure I'd deem a knowledge of their work and other indie bands (as well as some classics, Led Zeppelin most notably) a necessity to reading the book, it did enhance my enjoyment because I knew to what songs she was referring.  For picky readers, this might be a stumbling block.  Or, as I am going to look at it, a fun conversation starter!  I made a list of a few of the songs that are mentioned several times, and I plan to hand that to kiddos who borrow the book.  They can look the songs up on Youtube and enjoy if they want!  I'm all about spreading the Radiohead... errr, not sure you can call it cheer, but you know what I mean.


So, overall, I would say this book is one that I enjoyed reading, but not one I plan to hand out to just anyone.  It will take a mature reader to follow the plot and comprehend Andi's character.  To some of my more capricious readers, though, I think this book is well-researched and could spark some authentic curiosity.






Any other historical fiction recommendations?  I love the genre, but I have a hard time digging up new titles!