Review: First Date by Krista McGee

Publication Date: January 10, 2012

Image and summary from goodreads.com:

The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy is quite content to stay in the shadows and never draw attention to herself. But when she's selected for a reality TV show to try to become the President son's prom date-a show she didn't audition for-she's suddenly in America's spotlight.

The lights, the make-up, the competitions, and the blogs discussing every move she makes all make Addy incredibly uncomfortable. But through her time at The Mansion, Addy comes to realize that first impressions aren't always right, that hiding out may not be what God had planned for her life, and that her faith should affect everything she does. It may just be that her selection wasn't random at all and that she's on this show "for such a time as this."

Generally speaking, I am not one to be drawn by Christian fiction. However, I have found at both schools at which I've taught that this is not necessarily the case for my students. There seems to be a growing interest in Christian fiction, especially books that are written about high-interest topics. In the interest of broadening my horizons, I decided to give First Date a try. Though probably not a book I would have otherwise selected, I am glad that I did.

The protagonist, Addy, is someone to whom many teen girls can relate. Amidst the large crowd of sparkling, vivacious girls, Addy feels like a typical "Plain Jane." What I liked about her, though, was that she doesn't let this ruin her experience on the TV show. Instead, we get to see Addy grow and become more comfortable with who she is, instead of wishing she was someone else. Also, and perhaps this is just me, but when I read that this book was Christian fiction, I was afraid that Addy would seem "untouchable." However, I was pleased to see that instead of her being someone who always knows right from wrong, the reader gets to watch her grapple with serious and timely issues - confidence, love, and the omnipresent "mean girls." When she is continually insulted, Addy is tempted to fire back, rather than always just taking the moral high road. This made her seem particularly realistic. Moreover, it was nice to see a character have a source of strength to help her through the various conflicts she encounters.

In researching the book before I read it, I learned that this novel is a re-imagining of the story of Esther from the Old Testament. For those unfamiliar (as I was), Esther is a Jewish orphan who is one of many women presented to a king who is searching for a new wife. Chosen for her beauty, Esther hides the fact that she is Jewish. When her cousin Mordechai, with whom Esther was living after the death of her parents, saves the king's life, he is also appointed into the king's favor. However, Mordechai becomes a target for the new prime minister Haman, who plans to not only kill him but the entire Jewish race. Esther finally chooses to reveal her faith to the king, thus allowing the Jewish people to fight and save themselves. (source here. Yes, as an English teacher I used Wikipedia. One of my students wrote a fabulous essay about the reliability of the website. But I digress...).

So, anyhow, taking what seems to be an archaic plot into the twenty-first century seemed to be a daunting task. However, McGee managed to deliver a book that was funny, exciting, and very relevant to our current day. Who hasn't seem some sort of elimination reality show, after all? Though it seemed a bit obvious what was going to happen throughout most of the plot, Addy's voice managed to keep me interested. My favorite parts were probably the "behind the scenes" glimpses McGee gives the reader into the world of reality television. It was amusing to see how characters were influenced by the presence of cameras - after all, I am always curious about how "realistic" reality TV is. The translation of an evil prime minister to an overly ambitious producer was creative too. Addy's interactions with Hank, said producer, ended up leading the story to a satisfying conclusion.

As I said before, Addy's voice is truly what makes this story captivating. Her continued prayers for strength, confidence, and the ability to do what's right are something that so many of us could probably use daily. Her faith is a driving force behind many of her actions, but rather than feeling "catechized," I empathized with her. After all, the debate over revealing who we really are is something we all grapple with daily.

Overall, I would recommend this book to any girl who is looking for Christian fiction, or even just a light-hearted romance. If a student is open to the idea of Christian fiction, but not necessarily seeking it out, this might even be a good foray into the genre. It was charming, refreshing, and a quick read - perfect for a few nights of relaxation.

Any other good suggestions for Christian fiction? I am open to all ideas!

Review: Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:

When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

This book was recommended to me by my fabulous school librarian (visit her blog here) and one of my students. I love romance, and I love time-travel (especially to the era of The Great Gatsby), so I was all too excited to read this book. Thank you to both ladies - I was not lead astray!

The protagonist, Michele, is someone with whom I instantly sided. For whatever reason, her earnestness and sadness really captured my heart. Monir did an excellent job of showing a grieving teenager, but without making her someone consumed by it. Though I personally have been blessed enough not to have experienced the sort of personal tragedy that Michele does, I feel that she is someone with whom others can identify. She really seemed authentic, which I appreciated. Even better, I have a HUGE crush on this novel's love interest, Phillip. He was charming, sweet, handsome, and well mannered - a genuine nice guy! We see so many tortured souls as the love interests in YA lit, and I didn't feel Phillip was that way at all. Though many obstacles are thrown in his path, he seemed to face them all with a grace that felt tangible.

The plot of the book is also very well-written. The story moves through various characters in Michele's family history as a device to create new conflicts. This was especially appreciated, because the introduction of "side plots" kept the main conflict, the almost impossible love affair, from becoming too tedious. Instead, the reader gets glimpses of life during various American historical periods in a way that didn't seem choppy or disjointed. Perhaps my only complaint would be that the reader doesn't get to see Michele and Phillip initially fall in love. Instead, they both "instantly" recognize their connection, and move on from there. I would have loved to see more of their beginnings, simply because both characters are so wonderful.

One of the aspects of this novel that really stood out was the music motif that ran throughout. Various characters are singers or songwriters, as is Monir herself. Rare is the student whose iPod isn't permanently connected to his or her ears, so I feel that this thread is something that would particularly interest current readers. Michele and Phillip's love story grows through song, and I think that we can all identify with having a special "song" that reminds you of someone else.

Plus, have you seen the cover? So gorgeous! I think the cover alone is enough to interest some readers, which is a plus for the hassled teacher on library day. :) Furthermore, this is a book that I could recommend to other students with ease. There were zero content issues (gotta love those old-fashioned boys :), and an exciting story line. Definitely a girl book, though.

All in all, Timeless was a book that left me riveted (much to my husband's chagrin on our long drive home from Cleveland). I cannot wait for the second installment of the series, Timekeeper. In the meantime, I will continue to happily share this book with my students.

Top Ten Tuesday 1

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic:

The Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book:

1. JK Rowling: As someone 100% obsessed with the entire Harry Potter series, I would love to see what sort of creative story world would be next! I wouldn't mind if all of the favorites from HP were in it either... I oddly miss them, which is weird for fictional characters.

2. J.R.R. Tolkien: The books that began my fantasy obsession were without a doubt The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I've devoured every book he's ever written, and would LOVE to see more!

3. Tracy Chevalier: After being assigned Girl with a Pearl Earring in one of my sophomore year literature classes at Ohio State, I embarked on a journey through all of her books. Her poignant tales have a way of creating characters that make her stand out in my mind. Last publication was 2009... it's been too long!

4. Steig Larsson: I will admit, I am quite comfortable on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo bandwagon. Too bad that trilogy was published posthumously - hubby and I are both obsessed!

5. Douglas Adams: I was absolutely the creepy girl laughing to herself while reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I am generally not a fan of traditional science fiction, but his humorous and satirical slant kept me hooked on the whole series.

6. Thomas Harris: I LOVE the whole Hannibal series. I had to hide my copy of The Silence of the Lambs the first time I read it (a la Joey Tribbiani and his copy of The Shining on Friends. A show I wish would have another episode, incidentally).

7. Emily Bronte: Wuthering Heights will always be one of my favorite novels. I would love to see what the creator of Heathcliff (the inspiration behind Twilight's Edward Cullen) would have to say in our modern time about love. If nothing else, I would love to hear what she thinks about Edward!

8. Alexandre Dumas: In this era of popular adventure series, I would love to see what the one of the most renowned serial authors would have to offer. The Count of Monte Cristo was one of the first classic novels I read independently. Who knew that The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask were both parts of series!?

9. Rick Riordan: This one is kind of a cheat, as he is probably one of the most prolific authors out there at the present time. What can I say? I am impatient for The Mark of Athena! Riordan's magic to captivate even the most reluctant of reader has made me eternally grateful to him. Without his books, I don't think I would have survived my first year of teaching.

10. Daphne DuMaurier: As I said in my New Girl review, Rebecca remains one of my favorite novels. I read My Cousin Rachel over the summer, and couldn't put it down either. Mysteries are always enjoyable, and I would love to see what she would come up with in modern day. In the meantime, I will just have to continue working my way through what she has written.

What about you guys? Is there anyone you would love to see write a new novel? Or an author that is making you wait just a bit too long for his or her latest offering?

Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

New Girl by Paige Harbison

Publication date: January 31, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Image and Summary courtesy of Amazon.com:

Welcome to Manderley Academy

I hadn't wanted to go, but my parents were so excited…. So here I am, the new girl at Manderley, a true fish out of water. But mine's not the name on everyone's lips. Oh, no.

It's Becca Normandy they can't stop talking about. Perfect, beautiful Becca. She went missing at the end of last year, leaving a spot open at Manderley—the spot that I got. And everyone acts like it's my fault that infallible, beloved Becca is gone and has been replaced bynot perfect, completely fallible, unknown Me.

Then, there's the name on my lips—Max Holloway. Becca's ex. The one boy I should avoid, but can't. Thing is, it seems like he wants me, too. But the memory of Becca is always between us. And as much as I'm starting to like it at Manderley, I can't help but think she's out there, somewhere, watching me take her place.
Waiting to take it back.

When I first saw that this book was going to be a modern twist on Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca, I got extremely excited. Without a doubt, it's one of my favorite novels. So, I think I went into this particular book with extremely high expectations - perhaps too high. Sadly, this novel was not what I expected it to be.
One of my biggest issues with this book was the antagonist, Becca Normandy. Though I understand the author's aim to make her seem an extreme version of the insecure teen, one driven to desperation by her own desire to be envied, Becca was just a few steps too far to the left. I felt that her promiscuity was a bit gratuitous; her need to be "wanted" by the hottest guys in school surely could have been conveyed without having her sleep with multiple partners - within the same night! Likewise, very few meaningful conversations took place between characters, at least while they were sober. Similar to the sex, I felt that the underage drinking was unnecessary. A bit of teen partying while away at boarding school? Sure. All major plot points taking place only after several shots have been consumed? A bit too far.
Furthermore, the plot itself lacked the subtlety of DuMaurier's work (though admittedly, that is an extremely high mark to meet!). Rather than much of the conflict being the narrator's internal issues, the stereotypical "mean girls" and rumor mill drove much of the action. Certainly a boarding school is a hotbed for these sorts of problems (at least, I'd imagine - I've never been to one), but I felt that the narrator (whose name isn't revealed until the end) suffered a bit from a lack of depth. This lack, I felt, came largely from the fact that her insecurities were externally motivated, not internally like the original. Also, I felt that the conflicts that arose, largely out of the narrator's romantic interest in Becca's "off limits" ex, were repetitive. Some variety in the routine "He likes me! We hooked up! Wait... why is he ignoring me?!" formula would have been appreciated.
All of that being said, there were certainly some positives about this novel as well. I really enjoyed the translation of Manderley the estate into a boarding school. It was a great way to make a classic setting into something more modern and high-interest to current audiences. Also, the narrator had one really redeeming trait, and that was her desire (though tempered with hesitation) to break free of everyone's expectations and push herself to experience new adventures. She debates whether it would be better to stay with her high school friends at the hometown college, or "spread her wings" by going far out of state. I think this particular struggle is one that resonates with many teen readers - and adults! Her journey of self-discovery, albeit perhaps too driven by others' opinions, was something with which I could identify. The ending of the book was also satisfying. I won't spoil it, but there was an excellent allusion to the end ofRebecca that made me smile. The cover art of this book is an additional strength. It certainly caught my eye, and I know it would do so for teenagers too!Overall, this is a book that I wouldn't personally recommend for a classroom library, or even a conservative school library. The partying and sex, though not graphically described, just played too big a role in the plot, and I wouldn't feel right recommending that as a role model. They became the focus, instead of the intriguing mystery that had so much potential. However, for a light and enjoyable independent read, perhaps this book would have been more appreciated.


Has anyone else had a similar disappointing experience with a modernized old favorite? I had to admit - I was seriously bummed!

Busting the Newbie Blues

Thank you to Small Review for coming up with the great idea! I am very new to the blogging world, but love hearing what others say about the books we all are enjoying. I am also learning how important it is to help foster the conversations I want to see happen - I guess just like my classroom! So, in an effort for others to get to know me...

1. When did you start your blog?

I started this blog over my Winter Break from school on December 27. Well... I suppose that's not entirely accurate. I had the blog sort of up in October, but didn't get a chance to post until December!

2. Why did you start your blog?

I started my blog mostly because I wanted a place to show other readers like myself all of the great titles I was enjoying - and see what other YA books are out there! I hope that this blog can be a resource to any teacher, student, or reader!

3. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far?

I am not sure that I feel like I've faced a "big challenge," other than my impatience to generate discussion between myself and other bloggers. I want that to happen immediately, but I know it takes time and effort to build a successful blog.

4. What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

I am still working on finding a way to join the conversation. It is so tempting to "lurk" on the sidelines - that is, reading without commenting. I have to remember that if I want comments, I suppose I should make them too... So, even though in my daily life I am anything but shy, as a blogger, I guess I need to overcome some nerves!

5. What do you find most encouraging?

It is so encouraging to see other newbie bloggers out there, struggling with some of the same issues I am. Also, I love seeing the wide variety of established blogs - there is so much creativity and joy, I can't help but feel inspired.

6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?

I have definitely already borrowed the idea of using a summary from an established website before I begin my own review of a book. I liked this technique because this way, someone can see if they would be interested in the book before reading my review - if the subject matter isn't interesting to him or her, after all, it's doubtful my review would be.

7. What do you dislike about blogs you've read? Do you try to avoid this?

Honestly, my biggest frustration with any blogs I read are posts that look hastily written. I prefer to take my time and thoughtfully write; if I want people to think about what I'm writing, then I should probably do so too! Then again, perhaps I am just a stickler because I can't turn my "English teacher" off...

8. Any advice for other new bloggers?

Don't be like me and hesitate to join in the action! We should all help one another to create meaningful conversations!

9. Any questions you'd like to ask newbie or established bloggers?

Oh goodness, too many! I would love to know what other types of media and posts (besides just reviews) generate conversation. What other sorts of posts do people enjoy reading?

10. Is there anything you'd like to tell us about your blog?

I would LOVE to hear from other teachers out there who are also book blogging. I definitely am always reviewing through that "lens," and would love to hear from others who are doing the same.

Oh, and anytime people stumble on a great series, I'd love to hear about it. I am a book series junkie.

Thank you to everyone for your support and enthusiasm! If you have any comments, suggestions... whatever... please don't hesitate to holler!

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Image courtesy of fatgirlreading.com

Goodreads.com Summary:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged srangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages - not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she is about to find out.

When one of the strangers - beautiful,, haunted Akiva - fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

When I read the description of this book, and even throughout the first 150 pages, I thought that while this book sounded interesting, it also sounded a little trite. Perhaps a bit too Twilight-esque for my taste, especially in the midst of what can only be called a tsunami of paranormal romance. Holy guacamole, I was wrong. This book is so much more!

First of all, the protagonist, Karou, is absolutely endearing. She has a sarcastic tone to her narration, which I particularly appreciated. Furthermore, her struggle between her attraction to Akiva and her devotion to her "family" seemed realistic and understandable. Too often, I see characters chuck their family ties out the window in favor of some fateful love that they've only known for 30 pages. (I call this the Titanic effect. While Leonardo DiCaprio certainly is cute, three days would NOT be enough for me to float on some freezing door for any guy. Call me too practical). Not so with Karou. We get to see her fall in love, but we also see her loyalty to the family that has been all she has known for 17 years. As someone who is devoted to her family, I could really appreciate this.

As I said, this book was SO much more than just a run-of-the-mill paranormal romance. Without becoming preachy or obvious, the underlying theme of this book became an exploration of hatred, war, and discrimination. These weighty considerations took place within a plot that seamlessly transitioned between a realistic setting (Prague), and a fantastic "otherworld." The mystery of Karou's past kept me turning the pages and trying desperately to unravel the clues Taylor left. By the end of the book, I was left surprised, satisfied, and eagerly anticipating the second installment of the series!

One of the particular strengths of this book was the engaging writing style. The imagery that Taylor creates with some heartbreakingly beautiful writing is captivating, but approachable at the same time. To many of my students, this becomes incredibly important - if they feel they can't get through a book without a translator, they will quickly abandon it in favor of something a bit simpler. The cover art is also eye-catching without being over the top.

So, why have I not gone out and bought 50 copies of this book to mandate ALL of my kiddos read? Well... this book walked the very fine line between young adult literature and adult. The characters in the book are NOT Twilight chaste (which I always found a bit far-fetched for most teenagers anyhow), to which some parents might object. I personally don't have a problem with sex being mentioned in a book - like I said, completely abstinent teenagers just don't seem realistic - as long as it is PG-13 style. (You know, kiss kiss ... fade to black ... morning after!). This book was awfully close to taking the next step. However, I think that with the right student, this wouldn't be a problem.

In my world, I think this book will live a comfortable life on the particular classroom library shelf that is behind my teacher's desk. I know that there are some of my sweet, dreamy, romantic girls who will absolutely LOVE this book (sorry boys, it might be too sappy for you), but I wouldn't want it falling into just anyone's hands. For the rest of you YA lit fans I say - ENJOY! Books that are this heartbreaking are rare, and one that earns the hype that is has generated is even rarer.

2012 Reading Resolutions

Happy New Years to all! Since it is the time of exciting resolutions and goals, I thought I would share a few of the reading challenges that I am participating in this year. After all, the best way to meet your goals is to publicize them so that you feel accountable!

The first challenge I am participating in is the 2012 Debut Author Challenge, brought to us by The Story Siren (visit here for more info). The challenge: to read and review 12 young adult books that are written by first-time YA authors this year.

I am particularly looking forward to this challenge because I LOVE jumping into series on the first novel, so that I get to wait excitedly (albeit impatiently) for the next installment. 2011 brought some FANTASTIC debut novels (Divergent by Veronica Roth and Entwined by Heather Dixon being two of my favorites), so I can't wait to see what 2012 brings us! I will post a button on each of my 2012 DAC reviews to help track my progress.

The second challenge is appropriately the 2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge (clickey for more info). I won't lie, the main reason I decided to participate in this challenge is my high anticipation for Insurgent, the second book in Roth's trilogy. But, the guidelines are pretty simple: read 10 second YA novels published in 2012. The books can be the second in a series (but must also be the second book the author has written... that took me a minute), or the second stand-alone an author has written. So far on my list:

1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth

2. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour (LOVED her first book Hold Still)

3. Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir (waiting for Timeless to come back in to my school's library!)

4. Havoc by Jeff Sampson

5. New Girl by Paige Harbison (modern take on DuMaurier's Rebecca? Done!)

6. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Again, I'll accompany posts with a button.

Happy reading in 2012! Review to be posted just as soon as I'm sure I did a brilliant book justice: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

See you soon!