I've tried to write a summary for Monsters of Men, the last book in the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, but nothing's coming out quite right. The description on its jacket, however, lays it all out perfectly, I'm going to cheat and use it:

In the electrifying finale to the multi-award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy, the choices of one boy and one girl will decide the fate of a world.

As a world-ending war surges to life around them, Todd and Viola face monstrous decisions. The indigenous Spackle, thinking and acting as one, have mobilized to avenge their murdered people. Ruthless human leaders prepare to defend their factions at all costs, even as a convoy of new settlers approaches. And as the ceaseless Noise lays all throughts bare, the projected will of the few threatens to overwhelm the desparate desire of the many. The consequences of each action, each word, are unspeakably vast: To follow a tyrant or a terrorist? To save the life of the one you love most or thousands of strangers? To believe in redemption or assume it is lost? Becoming adults amid the tumoil, Todd and Viola question all they have known, racing through horror and outrage toward a shocking finale.

Good, right? As is this series - all the way to its very satisfying end. And, really, that's all I have to say about it. I love these books. Read them. Amen.

(Readalikes: The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness)

Grade: A-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), violence and mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find

I really missed doing the Hop last week, so I wanted to make sure to participate this week. If you've never done the Hop, click on over to Crazy For Books and sign up. It's a lot of fun!

When 20-year-old Chris Kerry heads to the University of Utah to take advantage of a full-ride scholarship, he promises his aunt one thing: He will not become a Mormon. Although he no longer believes in the Baptist church to which she's devoted, he's not exactly shopping for a new religion either. No Mormons? No problem. He can do that much for the woman who's raised him since toddlerhood. Besides, she made him swear on a Bible and, no matter which church you go to, there's no arguing with that.

Despite a rough beginning, the young Texan soon settles into college life. He's got a steady job, a vermin-free apartment, and two Idaho coeds who make sure he doesn't starve to death. The work's nothing spectacular (it's a tuxedo rental shop, after all), but his eccentric co-workers keep him entertained; his bachelor pad houses exactly one piece of furniture, but it's enough; and the girls are not cover models, but sweet, thoughtful and fast becoming his best friends. There's only one problem: Angie and Kelly are some of the most Mormon Mormons he's ever met. Not that he's going to marry either one, or even thinks of them as anything more than pals, but he's spending a lot of time with them and there's something about their innate goodness that's undeniably attractive.

As things heat up at work (the store manager's embroiled in a tawdry affair, ownership's changing hands, and the machinery's acting up just in time for the busy holiday season), his friends confront their own problems (Is Kelly really ready to get married? Why is Angie being so frosty all the sudden?), Chris is forced to confront his past (an alcoholic-fueled adolescence), puzzling dreams about his parents (Why are they dressed all in white?), and the crisis of faith that's led him away from God (Baptists? Mormons? Who's right? Does he care?). Sorting it all out means deciding what he really wants for his future. Even Chris is surprised by how his dreams have changed. Can he figure out what - and who - he is in time to get the things he wants? Can he do it without breaking his promise to his aunt? Or is there something to this Mormon thing, after all?

The Rogue Shop, Michael Knudsen's newly-published debut, is pretty typical LDS fiction. Except when it's not. It's got a good, but troubled hero (no surprise there), a vow to stay away from religion (to keep our hero internally conflicted) and some goody-to-shoes Mormon kids (to inspire Chris with their wholesome happiness) - all elements readily found in this genre. Surprisingly (and pleasantly so), Knudsen gives us a few characters not typical in LDS books. Among his cast members are a man who refuses to step inside a meetinghouse, despite his strong testimony; another whose bitterness toward the church has led him to another religion completely; and yet another who's "active," yet flagrantly breaks the 7th commandment. These are the kinds of characters Deseret Book won't touch with a 10-foot pole, the kind I find most genuine and, therefore, most interesting. Forget the Mollies from Idaho, these are the types of people I want to read about. Knudsen's willingness to take a more honest (but always respectful) look at the Mormon people is the thing I like most about his book. That and the inside jokes. I'm still snickering over Travis' instructions to search trouser pockets for "anything of good report or praiseworthy" (42).

On the downside, Knudsen makes a whole lot of rookie mistakes in his first novel. First and foremost is the newbie's tendency to describe everything - every meal, every outfit, every thought, every word. The unnecessary detail weighs the story down so much that it becomes increasingly monotonous and dull. Same with the plot. There's so much extraneous information that the tale wanders here, there and everywhere, never really finding a clear direction. Secondly, Knudsen allows his minor characters to upstage his stars. While I knew and liked Travis, for instance, neither of the Idaho girls had enough personality to stand out. Even Chris lacks the depth to make him truly intriguing. From the moment we meet him, we know exactly where he's going, exactly what he'll do, and exactly how he'll end up. No surprises = dull. Thirdly, Knudsen saves all the real action for the final fourth of the book, but even that comes off as contrived and melodramatic. Fourthly ... well, I'll stop there. It's a first novel. 'Nough said. Still, none of these problems are unfixable - a good editor could have solved the majority of them by hacking at least 100 pages off the manuscript, forcing Knudsen to make every word count, streamline the plot, and breathe some life into his leading man/woman.

All in all, I liked The Rogue Shop more than a lot of LDS novels I've read. It offers a broader look at the Mormon people, proving that we're not mindless, flawless or even sinless. The book's predictable, sure. It's also sometimes cheesy, often preachy, and always overwritten. However, it's got an authenticity I admire as well as some flashes of real cleverness (I love the pay phone scene), proving that Knudsen's a writer to watch. The man's got potential written all over him.

(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything specific, really. Can you?)

Grade: C

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for references to alcoholism, extramarital affairs and "hot-blooded American" men :)

To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Rogue Shop from the author. Thanks!

Anyone who's heard me rant about the infernal sameness of the YA novels being published these days probably wonders why I still bother to read them. I wonder that myself. Then, I come across a book so stunning in its originality, so compelling in its telling, and so completely unputtdownable, that I remember why I drag myself through all the Twilight copycats - it's worth wading through the muck to find the gems. The Knife of Never Letting Go, the first book in Patrick Ness' Chaos Walking trilogy, is a brilliant case in point. I read every single one of its 479 pages in a matter of hours. That should tell you everything you need to know.

No one can spin a yarn quite like young Zora Neale Hurston. Her imagination gives life to everything around her - flowers become royal guards, lightning bugs turn into fairies, and ordinary swamp gators become shape-shifting monsters. She sees little Eatonville, Florida, in ways no one else does. Ten-year-old Carrie Jones, Zora's best friend, doesn't always believe her friend's tales, but she knows one thing: life's a whole lot more interesting with Zora around.
When a drifter is found murdered by the railroad tracks, everybody's got a theory about the crime. Zora's may seem far-fetched, but she's dead serious - the vicious killing could only be the work of the gator man/monster. No one else in the small town could be capable of such cruelty. While the idea seems solid to Zora and more or less so to Carrie, they can't convince the adults in town to take them seriously. Everyone in Eatonville knows Zora's a teller of tales. Carrie's not sure about the whole thing, but when she sees the monster for herself, she realizes that this isn't just another one of Zora's stories. Since no one else believes in the ferocious gator man, it's up to the girls and their friend Teddy to trap the villainous animal. In their attempt to catch the mysterious beast, the kids stumble onto secrets Eatonville's been hiding for years, secrets that will make things just about as clear as swamp water ...
Zora and Me, a fictionalized account of Hurston's childhood based on her stories and recollections, is a lush, magical story that celebrates the wonders - and dangers - of a child's imagination. The authors, Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon, do an admirable job of bringing the colorful writer to life while not romanticizing or glossing over some of the less pleasant facts of her girlhood (her father's explosive temper, for one). Zora is presented as a willful child, feisty and independent, who fearlessly insists on doing her own thing. Nevertheless, she's loved by the people of Eatonville, who enjoy her bright, curious nature. Tentative Carrie is the perfect counterpoint to Zora - she appreciates her friend's creativity while at the same time recognizing the dark side of Zora's constant flights of fancy. With a unique setting (Eatonville was the first incorporated black town in the U.S.), a compelling adventure, pitch-perfect prose, and a cast of warm, colorful characters, Zora and Me gets everything right. It's a tribute, a mystery, but, most of all, the kind of yarn that would thrill Zora Neale Hurston herself.
*To learn more about the book, the authors and about Zora Neale Hurston, visit the book's excellent website here.
(Readalikes: I can't think of anything off the top of my head. You?)
Grade: B+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild language (including several uses of the N-word), some mature subject matter, and some violence (not graphic)
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Zora and Me from the generous folks at Candlewick Press. Thank you!

While falling snow is, arguably, one of the most beautiful sights to behold, it doesn't take much to turn a few gentle flakes into a fierce, driving nor'easter. It's just a fact of life in New England. Fifteen-year-old Scotty Weems has heard the old-timers at the coffee shop yapping about the "big ones" enough to know how dangerous, how deadly the storms can become. Which is why he's a little concerned when school's released early due to an oncoming storm and he's still waiting for his ride to show two hours later. As the snow piles up around Tattawa High School, it becomes obvious that Scotty and the six others who didn't escape in time, are stranded. Trapped. With no cell phone reception, no electricity, and no hope of rescue, the only thing they can do is hunker down until the storm subsides.

When it becomes clear the blizzard won't be abating any time soon, the kids have to face the facts: they're stuck at school for the forseeable future. Food isn't really a problem, but staying warm's getting more and more difficult. Then, there's the missing teacher, the hacking coughs that could spell illness for everyone, and the roof that's slowly collapsing under the weight of all the snow. Completely cut off from the outside world, the kids can only rely on themselves. With some people flirting, some fighting, and some immobilized by fear, it's going to be a long, hard fight for survival. One that will have devastating consequences.

In Trapped, Michael Northrop's sophomore novel (which releases February 1), the author returns to Tattawa High School, the setting of his first book, Gentlemen. As he told me on his blog, "Just when I thought I was out, Tattawa pulled me back in! I already felt so familiar with and invested in that setting that I thought, you know, why not pound it into submission with a massive blizzard? I guess I’m just sentimental that way…" The new characters are on a higher social tier than the last bunch, but they're still struggling with a situation that's quickly spiraling out of their control. Scotty's an engaging hero, whose voice rings mostly true. His self-deprecating humor makes him likable, while providing some levity in spite of the story's increasing tension. While the plot does drag a little in places (after all, there's not a lot to do in a dark, cold, empty school building), and the characters never develop enough for me (especially the girls), it's still a pretty intense ride.

If it wasn't for the ending, I would leave it at that, recommending Trapped as a compelling novel guaranteed to suck in even the most reluctant readers. However, there's the small issue of the book's finale. The last 100 pages is where the story really starts getting good and intense. It stays that way until the last page where it just abruptly cuts off. Now, my copy is an ARC, so there's a chance I'm missing a chapter or two. I hope that's the case, because otherwise I'm going to have to call this conclusion one of the most ambigious, least satisfying ends I've ever read. This kind of survival story really doesn't lend itself well to sequels, so I have a sinking suspicion I'm never going to know what happens to the gang at the school. I've never liked those cop-out "What do you think happened?" finales, I want the author to spell it out for me. Darn it, Northrop, and I was really starting to like you ...

(Readalikes: Although Trapped is not dystopian,the survival aspect reminded me of Susan Beth Pfeffer's The Last Survivors series)

Grade: C

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for some language (no F-bombs), suggestive humor and sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Trapped from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know I said I wasn't joining any more challenges, but this is another one that's not really a challenge since I was already planning to read a bunch of books from the approved list. I'm joining at Level IV, which involves reading 20 books off a list of bloggers' favorite reads from 2010. Here's my game plan:

1. The Stand by Stephen King (also reading for the Stephen King Challenge)
2. The Thirteenth Crime by Emma Michaels
3. Room by Emma Donaghue
4. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (also reading for Dystopia Challenge)
5. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
6. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (also reading for the 2011 Page to Screen Challenge)
7. Atonement by Ian McEwan (also reading for the 2011 Page to Screen Challenge)
8. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
9. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
10. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
11. Fallen by Lauren Kate
12. Halo by Alexandra Ardenetto
13. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
14. Vampire Academy by Rachelle Mead
15. Peeps by Scott Westerfield
16. Mockingbirds by Katherine Erskine
17. Torment by Lauren Kate
18. Austenland by Shannon Hale
19. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
20. Spells by Aprilynne Pike

We'll see how I do ...

I know I said I wasn't going to join any more challenges this year, but I always say that! It doesn't mean I'm actually going to do it. Besides, these two "challenges" aren't really challenges at all - at least, they require no more work than completing the challenges for which I've already signed up. 'Low me to explain ...

The Reading Challenge Addict Challenge is simply a fun way to track the challenges you're already doing. The hosts will be giving away prizes, so you will want to check out the blog they've set up. Basically, all this challenge really involves is tracking the challenges for which you've signed up this year. Easy, right? Go check it out!

The Bookmark Break Challenge, hosted by AubrieAnne over at Who's Your Editor?, just involves reading more books than the host. If you beat her, she'll feature your blog on hers and post your button on her sidebar for a whole year. Clever and fun! I love it. Go sign up if you think you're up to it. Even if you're not, check out AubrieAnne's blog - I just discovered it and it's great.

See, I told you, two more challenges that aren't really challenges at all. I'm not a reading challenge addict AT ALL.

2 c. melted butter (4 sticks)
2 c. brown sugar (loosely packed)
1 c. white sugar (granulated)
2 beaten eggs (just whip them up with a fork)
2 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar (critical!)
1 t. salt
4 1/4 c. white flour (not sifted)

Dough-ball rolling mixture:

1/2 c. white sugar
1 t. cinnamon

Melt the butter. Add the sugars and mix. Let the mixture cool to room temperature while you beat the eggs, and then stir them in. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, and sat. Mix well. Add flour in increments, mixing after each addition.

Use your hands to roll the dough into walnut-sized balls. (If dough is too sticky, chill for an hour before rolling.)

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl to make the dough-ball rolling mixture. (Mixing it with a fork works nicely.) Roll the dough balls in the mixture, then place them on a greased cookie sheet, 12 to a standard sheet. Flatten the dough balls with a greased or floured spatula.

Bake at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes. (They should have a touch of gold around the edges.) Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then remove the cookies to a rack to finish cooling.

Yield: Approximately 8 dozen, depending on cookie size.

Hannah's note: Lisa loves these cookies - it's the only time I've seen her eat a half-dozen of anything at one sitting.

My thoughts on the recipe: If you love Snickerdoodles (and I do), you're going to enjoy this recipe since Cinnamon Crisps are basically crispy Snickerdoodles. They're not crispy like hard, but crispy like delicate, and only around the edges. The centers are all moist, buttery yum-ness. I loved these, as did my children, at least one of whom said, "These are the best cookies you've ever made, Mom!" They're easy to make and always turn out nicely - what's not to love?

(Note: This recipe was used by permission from Joanne Fluke. The photo was snapped by yours truly.)

(Note: Although the books in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series work quite well as standalones, I'm reading them in order. Thus, while this review will not contain spoilers for Lemon Meringue Pie Murder, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier books. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)

In order to enjoy Fluke's cozy, culinary mysteries, there's a little mantra I have to repeat to myself before opening one:

• Even though our cookie-baking heroine talks, acts and dresses like a frumpy 65-year-old, Hannah Swensen is supposed to be in her late 20s. So what if she doesn't own a cell phone, wears elastic-waisted slacks to work, and dates a guy named Norman? She's not even 30! Just accept it already.


• No small town has as many murders as Lake Eden, Minnesota. Nor do real cops allow ordinary citizens to interview witnesses, creep around crime scenes, and chase down killers. Just sayin'.


• Lake Eden's finest are the naivest, most bumbling police officers on Earth - if Hannah Swensen wasn't around to guide them toward clues, motives and possible suspects, they would never solve a crime.


• Just because I have the mysteries figured out by Chapter 2 doesn't mean I can't enjoy Fluke's books for their light, fun, mostly clean content.

It's been a few weeks since I've participated in the Book Blogger Hop, so I'm excited about this first one of the new year. The question this time kind of stumps me, though: Ivan over at Ivan Bookworm asks what book influenced or changed your life and how? I can't really think of one specific book. What a cop-out, huh? Are you as stumped by this question as I am? What's your answer?

If you want to join in the Book Hop fun, click on over to Crazy for Books and sign up now. Happy Hop!

Okay, I admit it. I'm weak. I love reading challenges. Even if I don't complete most of the ones I join, they get me excited about the books on my TBR mountain chain. So, I'm joining another one. The last one, I promise. This one's the Dystopia Challenge hosted by Dutchie over at Bookish Ardour. Since I'm already planning to read a ton of dystopian this year, the challenge fits right in with my reading goals. Perfect, I know. So, I'm joining at the Contagion level, which requires the finishing of 15 dystopian novels. Here's my list:

1. The Scorch Trials - James Dashner
2. The Stand - Stephen King
3. Under the Dome - Stephen King
4. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
5. The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness
6. The Ask and the Answer - Patrick Ness
7. Monsters of Men - Patrick Ness
8. Restoring Harmony - Joelle Anthony
9. Sapphique - Catherine Fisher
10. The Dead-Tossed Waves - Carrie Ryan
11. The Dark and Hollow Places - Carrie Ryan
12. The Wind-up Girl - Paolo Bacigalupi
13. The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood
14. X-Isle - Steve Augarde
    
    Wish me luck!

Because I'm weak, I'm signing up for yet another 2011 reading challenge. What's wrong with me, you ask? Seriously, I don't know. I just love challenges. So, for this one, I'm going for Level Two, which entails reading 10 books that have been made into movies/t.v. shows and then watching the movies/t.v. shows. Sounds fun, huh? Head on over to Reading Extensively to sign yourself up.

Here's my list:

• Blindness - Jose Saramago
• Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane
• Atonement - Ian McEwan
• Because of Winn-Dixie - Kate DiCamillo
• In Cold Blood - Truman Capote
• Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis (re-read)
• Prince Caspian - C.S. Lewis
• Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S. Lewis
• Let Me In - John Ajvide Lindqvist

Wish me luck!