Ramblings of a Bibliophile

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 327
Pub. Date: October 13, 2009
Series: N/A

Reading Challenge: Young Adult, Local Library

My Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 5 stars
Goodreads: 4.11 (Average)

Recommended For: Young and old, tall and short, plump and skinny...basically, everyone.

Book Summary:

You are what you eat...

Cat smart, sassy, and funny — but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living and eating like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits.

As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this new found male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice...

My Thoughts:

There are so many great things I could say about this novel! In short, I loved it. Fat Cat is a rich tale combining morals, science, humor, and romance that mixes together to form an immensely enjoyable read. It provides laughter in all the right places and gives the brain some much needed food for thought. While the title suggests that the main focus will be on the "fat girl" and weight issues, it is so much more than that. It's also about friendship, loving people for who they are on the inside, and just being true to yourself.

I loved reading Cat's daily notes as she keeps track of her progress not only for her research project, but for herself. Cat's determination and transition as a character is inspiring. The constant bit of humor, provided by both Cat and friends, is a refreshing aspect that keeps the novel light, all while focusing on some real and important issues. Cat's voice and the secondary characters (her family, best friend, and romantic interest) really drive the book to a new level of authenticity.

On a more personal note, Fat Cat really got me thinking about the kind of food I've been including in my diet and the changes that need to be made (and have been made). It's very rare when a book makes such an impact on me long after I read it. But this novel made an impression not only as a quality read, but in my life as well.

Overall consensus: Fat Cat is a sweetly rich book in all the right ways. It's as real as you can get in contemporary fiction. I felt like I knew the characters, that I could relate to them in many different ways, and that just fueled my enjoyment as a reader. It's refreshing to read about a young female protagonist who enjoys science and things considered "uncool". And what truly makes this book shine is the quality and honesty with which it is written. I have a feeling it'll be a novel I will long remember and recommend to anyone of all shapes and sizes. A book worthy of seconds! ;)

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal - Ghosts
Edition: Hardcover; Purchased
Page Count: 412
Pub. Date: January 5, 2010
Series: Companion to I Heart You, You Haunt Me

Reading Challenge: 2010 YA

My Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.55 (Average)

Recommended For: Everyone. Especially fans of a book in verse format and books containing paranormal elements.

Book Summary:

Restless souls and empty hearts.

Brooklyn can’t sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca died a year ago, and now their friend Gabe has died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there, waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca chasing her through her dreams.

Nico can’t stop. He’s always running, trying so hard not to feel the pain of missing Lucca. But when he begins receiving messages from his dead brother, telling him to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

My Thoughts:

There is something about this book that resonates in my brain. It is absolutely beautiful. The wording, the writing, all of it. This was the first book I ever read in a versed format, and I can guarantee that it will not be the last. Haunting, inspiring, and emotional are all words that aptly describe this truly unique novel.

A year has passed since Brooklyn lost her boyfriend, Lucca, in a tragic accident. But it isn't until the death of a mutual friend named Gabe that brings both girlfriend and older brother together. Each looking for an escape, they both find unsuspecting comfort in each others company.

Nico is the eldest son of the family, the one who wasn't quite as "perfect" as his younger brother, Lucca. Never seeming to do anything right, he uses running as a method to cope with the empty space in his heart that was once filled by the love from his brother. How things have changed since his death. Especially once Nico starts receiving cryptic messages telling him to help Brooklyn. But how, why?

Meanwhile, Brooklyn is being haunted. In her dreams she is being chased by a relentless shadow that tells her "Love is the answer. Not fear." But how could she possibly not fear the ghost chasing her in the night? And why has he come?

As much as I want to delve into the real essence of the story, I feel that it would be an injustice to spoil anything about this book. Really, it's just that good. The emotion is authentic and real, that you can't help but get lost in the words. Lisa Schroeder did a fantastic job with the format - each word seeming important and placed there for a purpose.

Overall consensus: Chasing Brooklyn is a tender book about remembrance and moving forward. Dealing with love and loss in such a beautifully written way, it will have you contemplating it for days after you finish. One of my favorite reads this year!

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 408
Pub. Date: September 1, 2009
Series: N/A

Reading Challenge: 2010 YA + 2010 Support Your Local Library

My Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 5 stars
Goodreads: 4.23 (Average)

Recommended For: Everyone.

Book Summary:

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

My Thoughts:

The first word that escaped my lips the moment I finished Hate List was: "Wow." How do you sum up a book as powerful as this? It was like the words were living, breathing, and Valerie's pain was real. Truly an amazing novel from start to finish.

Hate List is an emotionally charged novel that tugs at your heart strings. Valerie, at a loss for how to move on with her life after the shooting, is constantly at war with herself, her family, and her school. So much to take on at one time, it's pushing her to a place she's never been before. You won't find any diluted plot twists or surprise endings - this novel is pure emotion - focusing more on Valerie and her growth as a character. And we get to experience the journey right with her.

Uniquely woven at the beginning of a few chapters are newspaper clippings, depicting the events of the shooting from completely different points of view. Certainly an original idea that really gives the book an authentic and fresh dynamic.

Jennifer Brown did a wonderful job at capturing such a unique voice in an ultimately realistic way as we read how Valerie struggles to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Drifting from the past to the present, we get to read about Valerie's life before and after the shooting. The doubts, the heartache, the longing - it's is all there, front and center, for the reader to experience. It's not often that I cry at the end of a novel, but I did for this one.

Overall consensus: Hate List is a compelling read that may leave you with a bit of a heavy heart but a completely satisfied feeling. The prose is a bit angsty at times, but not mired in it. It depicts raw emotion and will certainly have you deep in thought by the end. A book not easily forgotten!

Genre: Fiction, Steampunk, Altered History, Science Fiction
Edition: Softcover; Library
Page Count: 416
Pub. Date: September 29, 2009
Series: First installment of The Clockwork Century Universe

My Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.13 (Average)

Recommended For: Fans of steampunk or those looking to delve into the genre, Readers who like an inventive story (that happens to include zombies), Folks with imagination

My Summary & Thoughts:

An alternate-history novel based in the late 1800's with destruction, adventure, dirigibles, sky pirates, a mad inventor, AND zombies? COUNT ME IN. A book just as fascinating as its cover. You guys, Boneshaker was so much more than I expected! Such a brilliantly imaginative tale with flair and grit.

To start it all off, let me just talk about the appearance of the book. The cover is so lovely in person. A beautiful mix of art and design, all while giving a hint to what the story will hold within. And the pages - toned to a light sepia color with brown font, giving it that aged look and feel. The only thing it was missing was the musty smell that can only gather with time. (Though I settled for the new book smell!) From the start you can tell that every detail was doted upon in the process...much like the writing style. Which I absolutely fell in love with. Wonderfully descriptive and engaging; I could envision everything as if I was watching it unfold right before my eyes.

Boneshaker begins with a journalistic piece from a one, Hale Quarter. A young journalist who sets the ground work and describes the events leading up to creation of the terrible Bone-Shaking Drilling Machine at the hand of Dr. Leviticus "Levi" Blue. A single man and machine responsible for a disaster that caused most of downtown Seattle to cave in on itself, while bringing disease and terror in the form of a toxic substance known as The Blight.

While the early days of the Civil War were taking place, the Russians were looking for a way to drill trough the icy Klondike where a fortune of gold supposedly awaited any man who dared. After many had tried and failed, esteemed inventor Leviticus Blue won a contest offering him 100,000 rubles and six months to build a machine strong enough to penetrate the buried vein of gold. But being the smart man that he is, Levi finished well before the deadline. During an unannounced test run on the afternoon of January 2, 1863, the Earth shook under the vast central business district of the Seattle streets. The foundations of four major banks were ground to oblivion, taking with it hundreds of innocent bystanders.

However, no one could predict the kind of destruction that would follow. The streets were in an upheaval sure, but what was worse was the mysterious gas leaking from the tunnels created by the monstrous machine. Slow and sickly, the odorless and colorless gas crept along inch by inch poisoning all those who were nearest. Temporary measurements were taken until a city wide evacuation was the only way to survive. One by one the plans to contain the gas failed. Thousands of people fell ill and thousands more after. Simple barriers were not enough to hold it until, approximately one year later, the entire downtown area of Seattle was surrounded by an incredible 200 foot high brick and stone wall.

The story begins sixteen years later with Briar Wilkes (formerly Briar Blue) and her son Ezekiel "Zeke" Wilkes. The two live in the Outskirts just beyond the wall but not so far from it that they can forget it ever happened. Due to the endless plague the Blight reigns upon the city, the water has been poisoned and must be boiled and treated for 17 hours at the factory in Puget Sound where Briar works. Day after day she works to provide for her and her son, trying ever so hard to leave behind the tarnished legacy of her dead husband. But it's not so easy. Who can forget the man that changed all their lives? Zeke, having never met his father, is forced to rely on the horrid stories passed from one person to the next since his mother refuses to relay the truth or any information to satiate his growing curiosity.

But one day, Zeke decides he's had enough. He determines to make his way inside The Wall, back to a home he never knew and clear his father of the terrible crimes that have plagued their family for 16 years. If only he can get his hands on the papers the Russians sent demanding Dr. Blue do an early test run, if they even existed, then it would all be over. Provisions in hand, Zeke sets off through the underground tunnels that run up through the downtown. But he never expected just how bad the Blight had infected the city...or its undead inhabitants.

After hours spent fretting with worry and guilt, Briar does the only thing a mother could do - she sets off after him. After nearly beating information from Rector, a boy up to no good and a friend of her son, Briar sets off for the same exact tunnels Zeke allegedly took. But as she waits near the entrance, an earthquake shatters all means of hope and escape for her only son. Now that the option of going under is taken away, Briar is left with but one other choice: Over. Seeking the help from the air captains and sky pirates, Briar is led to Andan Cly, captain of the Naamah Darling, who just so happens to be in debt to the Wilkes family.

Flying high and dropping into the city, Briar is led by survival instincts and using all means necessary to find her son. But what surprised her the most was not how much the city has been polluted, but the fact that there were people living there. The dead and undead alike. What kind of trouble lies beyond the wall? Can Briar do it alone? Will she be able to survive the the Blight and the creatures it created? Can she outlast the rotters, the undead who feast on flesh and feel no pain? More importantly, will she find her son alive?

...Those are questions you will have to answer yourself! :)

Seriously, I cannot begin to describe how imaginative and ingenious this tale is. Once you start you won't want to stop until you reach the very end. And then you'll just want more. Boneshaker is totally unique in its vision of combining very real, albeit altered, history and science fiction. Trust me when I say that I am not really a big fan of zombies or anything related, but this story would not have been the same nor quite as exciting without them.

Same goes for each and every character. Without them the story wouldn't have the same warmth and purpose as I felt while reading. Briar is a no nonsense type of woman with admirable qualities, surviving on what little she can afford and wanting what's best for her son. The people she meets only fuel her desire to continue on and provide a shining light in the darkness.

Overall consensus: There's so much more I could tell you about the story but I'll just leave you with the words: Exciting, original, intense, unique, and satisfying. Being that this is my first outing with Cherie Priest, I can conclude that it will not be the last. If books like Boneshaker are what I have to look forward to in the steampunk genre, then count me in because I'm not going anywhere!

(On a sidenote: While I consider this an Adult read, I would also classify it as suitable for Young Adults. And well...everyone!)

- Also reviewed on Amazon and Goodreads

Genre: Fiction, Romance/Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 392
Pub. Date: August 1, 2009
Series: Book 1 in the "Wolves of Mercy Falls" series

My Rating: 5 Stars
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 4.16 (Average)

Recommended For: Older teens, Paranormal-Romance fans, Romantics

My Summary:

We begin the story with Grace. A seventeen year old who is fascinated with the wolves in the backyard of her home in Mercy Falls, Minnesota. Every winter she is struck by the familiarity of only one - the wolf with the yellow eyes - her wolf.

Then in comes Sam. A boy who spends his life in two forms - a wolf during the frigid months of winter, and human when spring and summer descends upon the town. But his ability to change to his human form lessens with age, until one day, he will forever remain a beast of the winter.

My Review:

(First Impression: "Love, LOVE the cover")
(Initial reaction after I finished: "Oh, my heart be still!")

What can I say about this novel that hasn't already been said? Terrific? Stupendous? Captivating? All of those aptly apply. I was basically glued from the beginning. Whether it's because I'm a romantic at heart, or just a sucker for a good love story, I couldn't put this down.

Maggie Stiefvater's writing is in one word: amazing. It's lyrical, poetic, descriptive, and just flat out enjoyable. I loved being able to read the story from both Sam and Grace's perspectives. The transitions between them are easily distinguishable, I never had to look at the chapter titles to see who was speaking. The separation gives the reader a better understanding of each character, their feelings, and their flaws. And the two compliment each other so well. I found myself immersed in their lives and growing emotionally attached with every turn of the page.

I'll be honest, I didn't really begin this novel with very many expectations. I stayed away from reviews and only peeked at a couple ratings just to see what I was getting myself into. My reason being is that I seem to be at odds with quite a few books in this particular genre (paranormal romance) and I didn't want to set myself up for disappointment. But this book surpassed my expectations and it was a pleasant surprise. I was impressed with Maggie's ability to weave the werewolves so seamlessly into the story to make them seem believable. A tad cheesy at times, but still a wonderful read.

Just a few excerpts that I love (without giving anything away) :

"That night I lay in bed and stared at the window, my blinds pulled up so I could see the night sky. One thousand brilliant stars punched holes in my consciousness, pricking me with longing."

"I was a ghost in the woods, silent, still, cold. I was winter embodied, the frigid wind given physical form."

This is the first book in the "Wolves of Mercy Falls" series and the first I read by Maggie Stiefvater. And I can guarantee that it won't be the last. Linger, book 2, is slated to be released in summer 2010. I can't wait!

What did you think about Shiver? Did it live up to your expectations?

Amazon.com review:

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them.

Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

Genre: Dystopia, Fiction, Science Fiction/Futuristic Sci-Fi, Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 335
Pub. Date: November 6, 2007

My Rating: 5 Stars
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.4 (Average)

"One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have - people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives."

My Summary:

The book focuses around 3 main characters: Connor, Lev, and Risa - strangers until fate dealt a hand that brought them together. And what characters they are!

Connor is the troublemaker. A boy with a hot temper and a tough exterior, but just too much trouble for his parents to deal with. He comes across the papers that sealed the deal for his "Unwinding" and takes matters into his own hands.

Risa is a ward of the state; especially gifted in classical piano. But no practical use for the greater good so she's scheduled to be Unwound due to "budget cuts." (How fair is that?!)

Lev is what they call a tithe. He's been deemed a sacrificial offering to God since his birth. Told for 13 years that his purpose in life as a tithe is considered a blessing and to be looked upon with pride.

My Thoughts:

(Initial reaction after I finished: AWESOME.)

First off, I love the cover. Perfectly conveys just how creepy and intense it is.

Second, I really, really enjoyed this. At first the prospect of the story seemed bizarre, but frankly, that's what made it so great! A story unique and of itself; you'll be flipping pages till your eyes fall out.

Neal Shusterman wrote the 3 characters in a way that made them each believable and real. But that's not to take away from the great secondary characters. It's an exciting ride from start to finish; giving you chills down your spine in all the right places. If you're looking for a book that is captivating, unpredictable, and intense, then this is the book for you.

On a side not, this book explored the many avenues of future technology and what it could become. To me, it's almost unnerving to even consider the fact that technology so advanced could become a reality in the near future. This book brings many questions to life and leaves you with much food for thought. Definitely some eerie prospects that I will be pondering over the next couple days, I'm sure.

Philosophical thoughts aside, there is so much more I could say about this book, but I just can't find the words to say it. (Plus, most of it would involve spoilers and I certainly don't want to spoil anything!) My advice? Just read it!