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Some "Lucky 13" Winners
The hubs likes to call himself my second love (after this blog), so I'll stop gushing and get back to business ... I (Random.org, actually) picked the winners in the two giveaways I've been running:
Susan G. won an ARC of Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
&
FieryIceFantasy won an ARC of Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Congratulations! FIF, if you'll email me your snail mail address, I'll get the book out to you ASAP. Susan, I know where you live (unless you've moved in the past 2 years??) - if you'll shoot me an email, we can arrange a time for me to drop the book off at your house.
Thanks, everybody, for entering! Stay tuned for more fun giveaways.
P.S. Please remember that ARCs are unedited copies of new books. It's illegal to sell or auction them off. They cannot really be donated either. After you've read the ARC, feel free to keep it for yourself, pass it on to a friend or recycle it. Thanks for respecting the ARCs! I, for one, would be devastated if publishers stopped offering ARCs because of people using them irresponsibly.
Dairy Queen Udderly Satisfying
Scholastic Loves Me, This I Know ...
- Speaking of Facebook, check out that fancy badge on my left sidebar. I really only use Facebook to keep in touch with family and IRL friends, but I'd love if you became a fan of my BBB page. Now that I have the page, I'm not exactly sure what to do with it. Advice?
- My sister is hosting a book giveaway over at her homemaking blog, Martha-wannabe. The titles up for grabs are Once A Month Cooking and Once A Month Cooking Family Favorites. She hasn't had too many entrants, so the odds of winning are very good. While you're over there, give her some love - her birthday's on the 2nd, and her husband will be leaving soon for a long deployment in Afghanistan. Follow her, enter her contest, give a supportive Navy wife some encouraging words. Love ya, Pee Wee!
- Speaking of my sister, her good friend just started a book blog called Book Loving Mommy. Jessica was kind enough to give me the One Lovely Blog award. Thanks! Click on over to her blog and show her some love as well.- It's been a few weeks since I participated in the Book Blogger Hop. Shame on me! Join in the fun over at Crazy for Books. The question of the week has to do with rating books. As you can see, I "grade" the books I read according the American grading system. It's sometimes hard to determine if a book deserves an A, B, C, D or F, but I try to be fair. I think it works pretty well. What do you think?
If you're here for the first time because of the Hop (or for any other reason), welcome! I'm always excited to hear from new readers and to discover new book blogs. Have a wonderful weekend, everybody.
You Can't Go Home Again - Or Can You?
Fresh, Upbeat Perspective a Big Plus in Brainiac-Turns-Supermodel Story
Bee Wilson loves her life in New York. The brainy 17-year-old is taking advanced classes at Columbia University, tutoring an up-and-coming rapper for $20 an hour, and dating the most caring guy on Earth. When said boyfriend drops her like a ton of bricks, Bee's shattered. If Brian, the patron saint of lost causes, doesn't want her, who would? Drowning her sorrows in thick slices of pizza, takeout from Ollie's Noodle Shop, and giant muffins at Dean and DeLuca soothes her soul, but packs 25 extra pounds onto her tall frame. She's so down that she thinks it's a joke when a modeling scout encourages her to try plus-sized modeling. Only, the woman's serious. With the encouragement of a friend (another of Brian's scorned lovers), Bee checks out the gig. Before she can say "runway," she's jetting off to Italy, making $5000 a day to wear fancy clothes and smile into a camera.
Although modeling looks like the cakiest job around, Bee soon discovers it's a whole lot of work. Not only does she have to please picky photogs, but she has to work out with her personal trainer, attend "go sees," shun real food, and deal with jealous supermodels. There are perks, of course, like the clothes, the traveling, the chubby teenagers who look up to her, and the fact that Brian is going to come crawling back to her when he realizes how successful she is. The downside is her grades are slipping, her best friend's feeling neglected, her favorite rapper's not impressed with the new Bee, and Brian's nowhere in sight. Bee's working so hard to hold it all together - why is everything falling apart?
Everyone tells Bee the same thing: Just be yourself. But who is that, really? The Prada-clad supe grinning out at the world from billboards and magazine covers? Or the brainiac who spends all her time hiding out in the library? Is she some combination of the two or none of the above? Who does she have to be to get Brian back in her life? As Bee sashays down the runway, she'll have to decide who she is, what she wants, and where she's going. Along the way, she'll discover that things are rarely what they appear to be, disasters often beget opportunities, and the road to self-discovery can be the scariest, most exciting path a girl will ever travel.
Although Plus by Veronica Chambers delves into body issues, it's not one of those annoying how-I-learned-to-love-my-body books. Bee's not thrilled with her weight gain, but she's not obsessing about it either. She's okay with being plus-sized. The story's more about Bee finding her inner diva, summoning the strength and courage to be who she really is. I love that Plus radiates this fresh, healthy perspective. I also liked Bee's funny, down-to-Earth voice and the insider's look into worlds (Ivy League, modeling, New York glam) I have never - and will never - experience. It's a fun story. The plot is, of course, far-fetched and pretty predictable. It also meanders around quite a bit, becoming dull in places, thin in others. I got irritated with Bee's inability to see what was right in front of her (for a smart girl, she can be amazingly clueless) and I thought Chambers sometimes tried too hard to get the teenage lingo down. Plus isn't going to make my favorites list, but I still enjoyed this fresh, upbeat story about struttng your true self down the runway of life. The timeless message it preaches is always a good one: Bee You.
(Readalikes: Hm, I dunno on this one. Suggestions?)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for mild language (no F-bombs) and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Plus from the generous folks at Razorbill. Thank you!
The One Where LDS Women Take Over the World
Cop-Out Ending Leaves Me Wanting a Touch More
Maisie Willard's BFFs aren't into hunting for cute outfits at the mall, painting their toenails, or flipping through Seventeen magazine. Scarfing down pizza in front of Pimp My Ride is more their style. And that's okay with 14-year-old Maisie. Her besties are boys after all. Just because they don't dish about fashion doesn't mean she can't feel perfectly comfortable with Chris, Kevin and Shakes. They've been tight practically since they were born.
Then, Maisie decides to try living with her mom and stepdad in Milwaukee. After a year of dealing with Geoff, the uber whiner, she hightails it home, grateful to be back even if it means putting up with her stepmother who acts like she's "constantly auditioning for a TV series being filmed inside her own head" (12). Maisie doesn't feel any different than she did when she left, but she sure looks different. In the 12 months that have passed, she's filled out, developing curves that clearly say, "I'm not a kid anymore." It shouldn't be weird for the guys, right? They're still her best friends. Only it is weird, very weird.
Everything comes to a head one day in the back of the school bus. Betrayed by her truest buddies, Maisie is stunned and hurt. Before she can even process what has happened, the incident takes on a life of its own. Suddenly, there's a lawyer, therapist, and most of all, Maisie's drama queen stepmother involved. Joan insists on suing the school board, making sure the boys get severely punished for messing with her stepdaughter. But not everyone sees Maisie as a victim. Even Maisie's not sure that what happened really happened. She just wants to forget the whole mess and go back to the days when the world made sense.
As Maisie grapples with her memory, desperately trying to sift out the facts, she'll have to face the truth of what really occurred on that fateful day. Could her "friends" really have done what she thinks they did? Is she truly as innocent as she wants herself to be? Who's right? Who's wrong? How can she make it all go away?
Touch by Francine Prose provides a riveting look at the ways in which childhood innocence sometimes vanishes overnight. Throwing a cast of actualized characters into a blender full of truths, lies, and every shade of grey, makes the story both current and compelling. If it wasn't for the ending, which I felt was an unsatisfying mess of cop-out platitudes (realistic though it may be), I would have given it higher marks. As is, I don't think Prose did justice to her tough, feisty narrator and, darn it, I wanted some justice for Maisie. Without that, the story just isn't convincing enough for me. I guess you could say I needed a Touch more.
(Readalikes: Reminds me quite a bit of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs) and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Touch from the generous folks at HarperTeen. Thank you!
Holy Crab Cakes! This Is A Fun One ...
Of All the Twilight-y Books In All the World, I Had to Pick the Twilightiest ... And Love It! (With a Giveaway)
All 16-year-old Jacinda Jones wants to do is fly. Not squabble with her sister. Not mate with a prince. Not have her every move scrutinized by her pride. Just fly. Soar above the clouds and forget all the complications that exist on the ground. Her body's made for flight, longs for it, thrives on it. Like her dragon ancestors, Jacinda is meant to be in the sky. She's Draki, through and through, and a fire-breather, no less. One of a kind. Special, even in a community of unique creatures. She never wanted the spotlight beaming down on her. All she's ever wished for is the freedom to glide through the clouds, letting her wings carry her above all the cares of the ordinary world.
Nothing is ever that simple, of course. As the only living fire-breather, Jacinda is responsible for saving her dying breed. By mixing her genes with those of royalty, she could give birth to a new, stronger generation of draki. And the sooner the better, at least according to the calculating king. Jacinda's not thrilled with her future as a broodmare, but she's willing to do anything to help her people. Just not yet. Right now, she's more interested in feeling the sun on her scales. It's forbidden, of course, to let humans see her in draki form, which means she's only allowed to fly at night. Her rebellious streak has already gotten her into trouble, but she can't fight the urge to soar into the rising sun. It's a risk she has to take, one that ends with her running through the forest, desperately trying to shake the draki hunters that are right on her tail. The ordeal brings her face-to-face with Will Rutledge, a handsome tracker who's not like his murderous cohorts.
Jacinda's little stunt endangers not only herself but her whole community. Terrified of the repercussions, she and her family flee their home in Oregon, heading for the arid Nevada desert. Leaving the draki life behind is agonizing for Jacinda. No matter how hard she tries, she can't seem to assimilate. Especially when she runs into a familiar face - Will's never seen her in human form, but he's still inexplicably drawn to her. Jacinda can feel him with every fiber of her being. Pushing herself away from him is impossible, but letting him in could mean death to herself and everyone she loves. If Will ever found out what Jacinda really is, he'd skin her alive and sell her parts to the highest bidder. Preservation of her kind means staying far, far away from Will Rutledge. If only she could ...
Of all the Twilight-y books out there, Firelight by Sophie Jordan might just be the Twilight-iest. Not because of vampires or werewolves, but because of the impossible, consuming romance between the main characters. I'm no Edward/Bella hater - I just like me some originality. And yet, I burned through this book so fast, I swear I saw smoke pluming from its pages. It's the kind of story that keeps you glued to your chair even though you've got a thousand other things you really should be doing. Firelight starts out with an intriguing spark and ends with a raging inferno. It doesn't even come out until September 7 and I'm already dying for the next installment. Love it, love it, love it.
That being said, it's not a perfect book. Most of the characters need a good fluffing out, including the already appealing Will. The romance between Jacinda and Will seemed to develop awfully fast. It also got a little melodramatic at times. My biggest pet peeve, however, is this: Jordan never explains how Jacinda ends up in the exact town Will lives in. A coincidence like that is too big to leave unexplored. The fact that Jordan never addresses it bugged me throughout the whole book. I assume it will be justified in one of the sequels - Jordan's too careful a writer to let something like that slip - but I wanted it dealt with in Firelight.
Despite that big annoyance, Firelight kept me totally enthralled. I didn't want to put it down ... so, I didn't.
(Readaikes: reminded me a lot of Twilight, the Need books by Carrie Jones, Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs, and others)
Grade: B+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), underrage drinking, and fantasy violence
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Jellicoe Road: Yeah, It's That Good
Annexed Tells Peter's Side of the Anne Frank Story
When Anne Frank began her diary, she had no idea that one day, it would be read by millions of people. Neither did Peter Van Pels. He could not have foreseen that the world would come to know him based on the scribblings of a 13-year-old girl. If he had lived (he died at Mathausen in 1945), what would he have thought of her portrayal of him? Would he agree with her observations or vehemently deny them? If Peter had kept a diary, what would he have said about Anne, Margot, Otto and the rest of his Annex roommates? The answers to these questions will never be known. In Annexed (available October 2010), Sharon Dogar's fictionalized account of Peter's ordeal, the British author imagines what he might have thought, felt and experienced. It's a sensitive, realistic portrayal of a young man the world will only ever know through the eyes of another.
The story, which moves between Peter's days in the death camps, and those he spends in the Annex, begins on the morning Peter goes into hiding: July 13, 1942. Although the 16-year-old is grateful to the Franks for allowing his family to join them in the Annex, he's not looking foward to spending his time cooped up inside. And with annoying Anne Frank, no less. Desperately missing his (fictional) girlfriend, Liese, Peter's sad and moody, knowing he'll most likely never see her again. His new life holds little interest for him. He can only read so many books, draw so many pictures. Peter longs to be outside, running free. But, he can't leave the prison of the Annex. Nor can he run, shout, peek his head out the window, or let his guard down. Ever. His life, and those of his family, depend on staying quiet, hidden away.
Naturally, the people in the Annex grow bored, quickly becoming irritated with one another. The women bicker, Otto Frank tries to keep the peace, and Anne never stops talking. Or writing in her infernal diary. Peter can't escape his father's scrutiny or Dr. Pfeffer's unpleasant smells. He has no privacy, nowhere to really be alone. Through their forced togetherness, Peter and Anne eventually form a close friendship. Despite a crowd of prying eyes, their relationship blossoms into a romance full of stolen moments in which they share their thoughts, dream of better times, and try to keep their raging hormones in check. When betrayal leads all of the Annex's occupants to Nazi death camps, Peter mourns the days of relative peace spent hidden away. Mostly, he grieves for Anne, the girl he loves. As he lays dying, it's her he thinks of, her he longs to see, her for whom he pines.
Like most Holocaust stories, Annexed is horrifying, yet strangely compelling. Largely unsentimental, the book's nonetheless a moving tale of a boy's desperate fight for survival against insurmountable odds. It's bleak, depressing and hopeful all at the same time. Although the book's publication has been marred by controversy (click here and here for more info), I didn't find Dogar's portrayals of Peter, Anne, or the other "characters" in the story at all offensive. We'll never know what truly happened in the Annex and that's okay. Personally, I find Dogar's interpretation almost as valid as Anne's - after all, who's to say that the words of a young girl (especially an imaginative dreamer like Anne Frank) are any less true than Dogar's fictionalized, but well-researched account? The fact is, we'll never know. And personally, I don't care all that much. The story's always going to be gripping, heartbreaking, and utterly affecting - no matter how it's told.
Annexed is not the best written Holocaust tale ever, but it's definitely compelling. Drogar drew me into Peter's story right away, making me want to keep reading even though I knew exactly how it would end. While Peter may not be as vibrant or as lovable as Anne Frank, his tale is still worthy of being told - I think Dogar does an admirable job of telling it. Some of Dogar's prose needs work, sure, and I desperately hope that 90% of the exclamation points that appear in the ARC will be edited out, but all in all, I found Annexed a fulfilling read. Not the "sexed up" book it's been accused of being (although Peter does have some rather vivid dreams), just an honest re-telling of a familiar story. If you've ever longed to hear Peter's side of the story, you'll want to give this one a try.
** I'm not a huge fan of book trailers, but I thought Sharon Dogar's thoughts on writing Annexed were interesting:
(Readalikes: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl; The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank by Ellen Feldman)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for mild language (no F-bombs), sexual content (most of which occurs in Peter's imagination) and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Annexed from the generous folks at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Thank you!
Sometimes Normal Is So Overrated ...
Evie may be the only 16-year-old on the planet who actually wants to go to high school. She'd give anything to experience slurping chocolate milk in a cafeteria, hanging out by her locker, and dolling herself up for prom. She'd give anything for that kind of normalcy. Safe, predictable normalcy. There's nothing normal about the life she lives every day. Paranormal, yes. Normal, normal - not so much.
Orphaned as a child, Evie's been raised at the Center, which serves as headquarters for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. With a rare gift (as in, she's the only person on Earth with the ability) to see through the glamours' of paranormals, she's invaluable to IPCA, which seeks to neutralize any creature that might pose a threat to human safety. Armed with her pink Tazer, Evie's job is to bag and tag. It's a rush, but so demanding that her availability cannot be compromised by anything as mundane as school or fraternization with other teenagers. She's been facing paranormals since she was eight - it's all getting a little old.Until paranormals start dying. Some brutal force is killing them in a way that leaves no mark, no clues, no trace. Then, Evie brings in a shapeshifter who possesses powers she's never before encountered. Is he the murderer? He seems harmless. Not only is Lend around her age, but he's decidedly hot - even under the glamours he wears. Despite warnings from her superiors, Evie finds she can't stay away from Lend's cell. She's there to get answers, sure (Who is Lend? Where does he come from? What does he want from IPCA?); a little flirting along the way won't hurt anybody, right? Although Lend remains stubbornly mute on the subject of his mission, he shocks Evie by reciting lines from a chilling faerie prophecy that seems to be talking about her. Who is this guy? Why is she so drawn to him? Most importantly, can he be trusted?
When a raid on IPCA sends everyone scurrying, it's up to Evie to find and eliminate the killer. But, tracking down a monster is one thing, neutralizing it is quite another. Especially when the murderer wears an all too familiar face. And carries the answers to all the questions Evie's ever asked about herself. Suddenly, the world Evie's always known makes less sense than ever. Can she face down the creature that's terrorizing paranormals? Does she even want to?
Paranormalcy, a debut novel by Kiersten White, is a fun, upbeat take on the whole paranormal romance thing. It's got some definite Twilight tendencies (albeit with a little more adult supervision), but not enough to be truly annoying. Although it's not all that original, the story has flashes of uniqueness, particularly with characters like Lish and Cresseda. I also like that Evie knows about her powers from the get-go, which allows the story to move along without our heroine having to go through the whole shock-denial-acceptance thing. Quick pacing keeps the tale racing along, making for a fast, enjoyable read.
My big problem with Paranormalcy is this: I never felt any real sizzle between the characters. I'm not just talking about romance, I'm also talking about basic warmth/comfort between people who are supposed to be important to each other. For instance, Evie says several times how much Raquel means to her, but their relationship never feels like a close one. Likewise, when a certain cast member dies, I really didn't feel anything because, although Evie and the deceased were supposed to be tight, I didn't feel it at all. This lack, along with some bumbling prose, bugged me throughout the book.
All in all, though, I like Paranormalcy. It's lighter than a lot of YA paranormals, although it still addresses some interesting concepts, like souls recognizing souls and creatures using their agency to choose to behave against their natural (or unnatural) tendencies. I liked its lightheartedness, enjoyed the quick pacing, and appreciated the more innocent nature of the romance between the book's main characters. To keep me reading the trilogy, White's going to have to step up the character development big time. I wouldn't mind if she polished up the writing a bit either. Paranormalcy has so much potential - I'm anxious to see if the series can reach it.
(Readalikes: definitely a little Twilight-y; also reminds me a teensy bit of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for fantasy violence and vague references to sex
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Paranormalcy from the generous folks at HarperTeen. Thank you!
A (Belated) Friday the 13th Giveaway
So, with all the excitement of school starting this week, I totally forgot to pick a winner for my giveaway. Sorry about that. Without further ado, the winner of a signed copy of The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams, is:
Jan Von Harz of Eating YA Books.
Congratulations! If you'll email me your address, I'll forward the information on to the publisher.I'm also pleased to announce that I have an extra ARC of Paranormalcy. It's an upbeat paranormal YA adventure/romance by debut author Kiersten White that comes out on August 31. Although I didn't love it as much as I wanted to, the book's a fun, clean (PG-rated) story that's getting lots of buzz around the book blogosphere. I'll be reviewing it some time this week, but for now, I'll give you the blurb from its back cover:
Evie's always thought of herself as a normal teenager, despite the fact that she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling or a shape shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours.
But Evie's about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.
If you're interested in winning this ARC, leave a comment on this post. Please include contact information in your comment - if you don't have a public blog, I need your email address. The contest is open internationally. I will pick a winner on my (lucky) 13th anniversary, August 30. Good luck!
Skunk Girl vs. Rowan the Strange: My Nerds Heart YA Decision
Never Judge A Book By Its Cover: Rowan the Strange Is Not to Be Missed
When the story opens, 13-year-old Rowan Scrivener is sitting on the doorstep of his home watching the sky for bombers. It's 1939, the war's just arriving in London, and Rowan's feeling twitchy. When his grandmother screeches to a halt in front of him in her animal rescue van, beckoning for Rowan to join her on a mission, he hesitates. What if the air raid sirens start screaming again? Shouldn't he stay close to home, just in case? Not that careening around the city streets with his grandmother will be any safer, but still, he probably needs to stay at Spitalfields. Doesn't he? By the time Rowan's done arguing with himself, he's worked himself into such a frenzy that he erupts, leaving his sister in the hospital with three broken fingers. And becoming a reluctant partner in Nana's scheme to save an abandoned chow.
Rowan never intended to hurt his sister - it's just that sometimes he can't calm himself, can't stop the paranoia that whips his thoughts into raging tornados. With the threat of war looming over the city, the Scriveners are already on edge. Rowan's "fits" aren't helping. Desperately seeking a way to help their son, Rowan's parents check him into an asylum in Kent. While the Scriverners agree to doing whatever it takes to make the fits vanish, the doctors are not exactly forthcoming about the newest procedure being tested on schizophrenics like Rowan - electroconvulsive shock therapy. The powerful jolts leave Rowan feeling weary, confused, and not at all himself. With no idea when, or if, he'll be able to go home, he feels hopelessly trapped in the awful hospital of horrors.
The more time Rowan spends in the asylum, however, the more his real life fades away. His world now revolves around his roommate, a spunky girl named Dorothea (who sees angels); gentle Dr. Von Metzer (who, despite being German, is a good kind of fellow); a beautiful nurse (with whom he's quickly falling in love); and the rest of the loonies in the bin. As in the outside world, cruelty exists on the inside as well. So, surprisingly, does compassion. Violated though he is by the doctors' constant pokes, prods, and experimental procedures, it's at the asylum that Rowan learns what it really means to be human. Humanity, he soon discovers, has very little to do with the brain and everything to do with the heart.
Skunk Girl Proves That Standing Out Isn't Always Bad
Standing out in high school should be avoided at all cost. Unless it's the football-hero/beauty-queen kind of standing out. Which it isn't. Not in 15-year-old Nina Kahn's case, anyway. Her freak status comes by way of her skin color (brown), her religion (Islam), and her parents (ultra traditional). Some call her exotic. And she is, but not in a cool-accent-European-good-looks kind of way. "I am exotic," explains Nina, "in the same way Chinese people eating dog is exotic - a bad way" (27). As the only Pakistani Muslim girl at her high school, Nina's strange customs stand way out. No one else is forbidden to attend parties, be alone with a guy, or sleep over at their friends' houses. Only Nina.
Since there's no way she'll ever have any kind of social life, Nina focuses on her studies. It's the only way to distract herself from everything she's missing. Besides, getting into an Ivy League school means scoring big on the "unnofficial Pakistani prestige point system" and boy, does her status ever need a boost. Still, she can't help but long for the life her friends are living. If only she were a white girl, she'd be able to sip beer at all the cool parties, hang out with her gal pals outside of school, and maybe even have a chance with popular Asher Richelli. She might as well be grounded for life for all the freedom she currently enjoys. As much as she wants to be a good Pakistani Muslim, Nina doesn't want to endure this kind of misery for one second longer, let alone a lifetime.
When Allah grants her fondest wish and Asher actually starts paying attention to her, Nina must face a crisis of conscious and culture. Does she dare encourage Asher? Can she hide their burgeoning relationship from her watchful parents? Is it possible to remain a good Pakistani Muslim with a million hormones storming through her body? Is a strict Muslim life really wants for herself or is it time to forge her own path? While everyone around her is busy experiencing life, Nina must choose whether to remain a bystander or join the crowd. It's a decision that could change everything for Nina. Absolutely everything.
Anyone who's ever been embarrassed by their differences (and who hasn't?) can relate to Nina's plight in Sheba Karim's Skunk Girl. Nina's a spunky, compelling narrator whose voice rings with authenticity. It's impossible not to root for this likeable heroine. While I felt Nina's discomfort over her family's differences, I couldn't help being fascinated by Karim's depictions of Pakistani/Muslim food, traditions, and philosophies. She discusses the culture respectively, while still allowing Nina to criticize it in a realistic, teenage-y manner. I had a few issues with the rest of the story, but I particularly liked Skunk Girl's finale. Predictable? Maybe. Perfect? Definitely. This isn't the most original tale in the world - still, it stands out as an honest, sensitive portrayal of one girl's desperate search for herself. I did mention that standing out isn't always bad, right? In this case it's good, very good.
Readalikes: reminded me a lot of Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger and a little of Taken By Storm by Angela Morrison)
Grade: B+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for mild language, underrage drinking/partying, and sexual content (nothing graphic, just a lot of references to teenagers having sex)
To the FTC, with love: I bought Skunk Girl from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make book blogging. Ha ha.
Georgia's Kitchen a Feast For Foodies, Not So Much For Me
Georgia Grey's perfect life includes three things: a sexy husband, a gurgling baby and her own restaurant. Not necessarily in that order. She's worked hard to reach her life goals, but somehow, she's achieved exactly none of them. True, she's the head chef at a swanky New York restaurant. She's also got a rock the size of the Big Apple weighing down her finger. By the time she hits 34 in a few short months, she should be well on her way to the bright, happy future she's always envisioned for herself. For now, she can deal with both her jerky boss and her distracted fiancee. As soon as the stress of the wedding is behind her, Georgia knows she'll be blissfully happy.
Then, a nasty review from a vindictive food critic hits the newsstands. Not only is Georgia fired from her job, but no restaurant in New York is willing to take a chance on her. Neither, apparently, is her fiancee. He's the one with the shocking secret - she's the one selling her Monique Lhuillier wedding dress on eBay. She's also the one looking for a new start, and finding it in Tuscany, where she plans to help her mentor open a new trattoria. As the only American among a very Italian staff, Georgia's more than a little intimidated. It literally takes blood, sweat and tears to make it in her new home, but when she's offered a lucrative position at an up-and-coming hotel restaurant, Georgia knows she's impressed her harshest critics. As if that isn't incentive enough to keep her in Italy forever, taking the new job means working in very close proximity to the irresistible Gianni.
Georgia should be jumping at the chance to stay in Italy doing the things she loves - namely, cooking and enjoying Gianni's attention - but making a commitment means putting off her dream of owning her own restaurant. Very little remains for her in New York while everything awaits her in Italy. Does she have the courage to take a chance on Italy? Or will the comfort of familiarity lure her back home? As Georgia licks her wounds, she'll be forced to make the decision of a lifetime: should she stay or should she go?
Georgia's Kitchen, a debut novel by Jenny Nelson, tells a woman-going-abroad-to-find-herself story that will be familiar to frequent readers of women's fiction. Anyone who's worked in the restaurant industry will appreciate the insider's view Nelson offers us - it's a quick-paced, exciting world that the author definitely brings to vivid life. With its tantalizing descriptions of succulent Italian dishes, the book's a feast for foodies. Unfortunately, my familiarity with Italian cuisine begins and ends with the menu at Olive Garden, so I found all the detail a bit tedious. Likewise with the incessant discussion of fashion, since unlike the cooking info, it had little to do with the story. As for the tale itself, it moved at a pretty good clip through the beginning, sagged in the middle, and became annoyingly predictable in the end. While I enjoy a good underdog-makes-good story as much as the next girl, this one just didn't resound much with me. I found it, as the Italians would say (at least that's what Google tells me they would say), only così e così (so-so).
(Readalikes: With all the talk of food and fashion, it reminded me a little of Adriana Trigiani's books.)
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Georgia's Kitchen from BookSparks PR in exchange for writing an honest review of the book.
A Book-to-Movie Kind of Weekend
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (rated PG) - based on the book by Rick Riordan
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