Reading Recommendations: A Challenge Update

Reading Recommendations

Remember how just about two months ago I decided that I was going to read more books that people recommended to me, so I made up a challenge for myself? And then I talked about it once more and then…*crickets*? Well, the good news is that, even during my silence, I was reading the books in my initial pile of recs! YAY! I even managed to review a few. LOOK AT ME GO. But you know what the BEST part is? My friends know me well and didn’t steer me wrong, because I’ve loved all of the books that they’ve recommended to me. In fact, I loved them so much that I’m adding a few more! HUZZAH!

reading RecommendationsSo, of the books in my original pile–UNDER THE NEVER SKY, THE SCORPIO RACES audiobook, something by Sarah Ockler, BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS, THE AVIARY, the FABLES graphic novels, and INCARNATE, I’ve read four of them, and reviewed three: UNDER THE NEVER SKY, THE SCORPIO RACES audiobook, and THE BOOK OF BROKEN HEARTS by Sarah Ockler. The only one I read but haven’t reviewed yet is the first volume of the FABLES graphic novels by Bill Willingham, but let this be an indication to you all how much I loved it: before I’d even finished reading volume 1, I ordered volumes 1–3 online and now own them. SO GOOD.

caged graves bannerThis book is the best kind of recommendation for two reasons: One, I had not even heard of it until April from Good Books and Good Wine recommended it to me on Goodreads, so it was a completely new book to me. I instantly added it to my shelf and put it on my radar because HELLO, it sounds awesome. And two, not long after April told me about it, my darling friend Alyssa from Books Take You Places told me that I needed to read it as well. BOOM. DOUBLE REC. I requested it on NetGalley and have it on my kindle to read. Thanks, ladies. It sounds EXCELLENT. These two lovelies are behind my new love of Juliet Marillier, so I know they’re on the money.

keturah and lord death bannerI’ve known about this book for awhile–I think I read somewhere that Maggie Stiefvater loved it and because she’s AMAZE I put it on my radar–but shout out again to my girl Alyssa, who read a little ways back and basically told me to get off my duff and read it. YES, MA’AM. On my kindle.

school for good and evil bannerI just realized that these three books were recommended to me by the same two ladies. Not intentional, mind you, just a coincidence! But just this weekend I saw that April read and LOVED this book, AND that she recommended it to me on Goodreads, where she assured me that it’s an Amy book. Seriously, her recs have never led me astray, so I’m glad that I waited on line for this one at BEA this year because I have a copy all ready to go. It really does look so amazing. The map in itself is STUNNING, friends.

So that’s where we stand right now: Four books read, three reviewed, three more added to the list. I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THEM ALL. What about you guys? Have any books that your friends have told you are right up your alley? Read them along with me! It’s THE BEST TIME. 

Book Review | Nantucket Blue | Leila Howland

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review | Nantucket Blue | Leila HowlandNantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Series: Nantucket #1
Published by Disney Hyperion on May 7, 2013
Genres: Contemporary YA, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 294
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher via NetGalley
AmazonBarnes & NobleGoodreads
three-stars

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on–most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits–that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

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Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Book cover for Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi (web | twitter)
Series: Under the Never Sky #1
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopia YA
Amazon | Goodreads
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release date: January 3, 2012
Challenge: Reading Recommendations
Source: Own it
Summary: WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.
DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she’s never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He’s searching for someone too. He’s also wild – a savage – but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other’s best hope for finding answers.

 

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Audiobook Review: Every Day by David Levithan

Book cover for Every Day by David Levithan audiobook

Title: Every Day
Author: David Levithan (web | twitter)
Narrator: Alex McKenna
Genre: Contemporary YA, Paranormal YA
Amazon | Goodreads | Audible
Publisher: Knopf BFYR, Listening Library
Release date: August 28, 2012
Source: Library
Challenge: YA Audiobook Challenge
Summary: Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

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Book Review | Going Vintage | Lindsey Leavitt

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review | Going Vintage | Lindsey LeavittGoing Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
Published by Bloomsbury on March 26, 2013
Genres: Contemporary YA, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher via NetGalley
AmazonBarnes & NobleGoodreads
four-stars

When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars).

The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

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Book Review | The Reece Malcolm List | Amy Spalding

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review | The Reece Malcolm List | Amy SpaldingThe Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding
Published by Entangled Teen on February 5, 2013
Genres: Contemporary YA, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher via NetGalley
AmazonBarnes & NobleGoodreads
four-stars

Things I know about Reece Malcolm:

1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles.
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
5. She’s my mother.

Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.

L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.

But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything?

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Classics Retold: King Arthur

King Arthur

BOOM. LOOK AT THAT BADASS. Guys, I am beyond excited to be participating in the Classics Retold Project. A bunch of awesome ladies are hosting this event together so that between May 25th and the whole month of September, each participant will have a chance to choose and read one source classic from a LITERAL CRAP TON of classics in any genre: mythology, ancient tales, medieval legends (HOLLA! That’s where I’m at thanks to the awesome host of those tales, Alyssa from Books Take You Places), to American, Gothic, and British classics AND MORE. Because of the aforementioned crap ton of source material, each lovely hostess is in charge of a different group (details below). After the participant reads the original classic they’ve chosen, they need to find some retellings or other versions of the same tale to read/watch and then chat about it all. If you haven’t guessed from the title of this post, I’m hitching my cart to one of the most epic legends from the British Isles: KING EFFING ARTHUR.

King Arthur

Book cover for The Once and Future King by T.H. WhiteTHE ONCE AND FUTURE KING by T.H. White

I know that, technically, I should be reading Thomas Malory’s L’MORTE DE ARTHUR, but THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING is a classic in its own right, and so I’m going to stick with the book that isn’t likely to make me cross-eyed. I am DROOLING with excitement over this. I mean, IT’S KING ARTHUR. If you know me at all, you’ve probably seen me nerd out the BBC show, Merlin, before. That’s because I love this myth, and I am a perpetual sucker for anything Arthurian.

King Arthur

SO. MANY. BOOKS. Friends, there are so many King Arthur retellings/reworkings/reimaginings out there. I’m definitely going to try to read these books, but I’m still on the lookout for others. I’ve already read quite a few YA retellings so I’m looking for ones that are new to me. (Books I’ve already finished: Jane Yolen’s SWORD OF THE RIGHTFUL KING, Meg Cabot’s AVALON HIGH, and Jennifer Anne Kolger’s THE DEATH CATCHERS.)

Book cover for Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann SandellSONG OF THE SPARROW by Lisa Ann Sandell

I’ve actually owned this book for some time. I bought it not realizing it was a story in verse–not usually my jam. But I was attracted to it because it’s the story of Elaine of Ascolat, the daughter of one of King Arthur’s men, who befriends Arthur’s older sister, Morgan. Elaine is in love with Lancelot, a HUGE secret, and all the shenanigans are thrown into further turmoil when Guinevere arrives. I’m so glad to finally have some motivation to read this one.

Book cover for Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan CooperOVER SEA, UNDER STONE (The Dark Is Rising #1) by Susan Cooper

I’d never heard of Susan Cooper until just recently, and now I’m all over it. This series is about a family of kids in modern times who basically go after the holy grail and other Arthurian-ish things. Sounds SO GOOD.

Book cover for Winter of Magic's Return by Pamela F. ServiceWINTER OF MAGIC’S RETURN by Pamela F. Service

YO. This one sounds SO LEGIT. So, there’s been a nuclear holocaust, right? And Merlin is RESURRECTED and, believing that magic has returned as well, goes on a QUEST with two friends to find King Arthur. I MEAN…

Book cover for The Winter Prince by Elizabeth WeinTHE WINTER PRINCE by Elizabeth Wein

I had no idea until recently that CODE NAME VERITY wasn’t Elizabeth Wein’s first book. But it isn’t, because she’s written a series of Arthurian retellings focusing on Medraut, who I’m thinking is Mordred, the son of a British king named Artos, who I’m thinking is Arthur. Seriously, NOTHING about ANY of these books sounds less than AWESOME to me, so I’m looking forward to this one, too.

Also, TOTALLY WATCHING THIS:

The Sword in the Stone

I am SO. EFFING. EXCITED. If you want to participate in this most excellent event, check out the other hosts and their themes!!

Alyssa @ Books Take You Places: Ancient to Renaissance Classics

Brittany @ Book Addict’s Guide: Mythology Classics

Charlene @ Bookish Whimsy: 19th Century and Gothic Classics

Alison @ The Cheap Reader: Children’s Classics

Wendy @ Excellent Library: American & Miscellaneous Classics

Reading Recommendations: A Challenge, Week 1

Recommendations

Week 1: The Scorpio Races Audiobook & Under the Never Sky

Time for my first progress report, friends! I have to say, I’m really enjoying myself right now, and I’m LOVING these books!! I’m so glad that both my friends and this challenge lit a fire under my ass to get me to read them (or in the case of THE SCORPIO RACES audiobook, listen to them). Since I have no idea, really, what I’m doing, I decided that I would do weekly updates of the books I’m reading and maybe when I’m finished I’ll review them as well. Haven’t decided yet. I like this flying by the seat of my pants, friends! To the recommendations!

recommendations

I’m listening to the audiobook of this one–it’s the fourth time I’ve read this book, but my first trip down audiobook road and thanks to Asheley and Hannah, I am basically DYING. Steve West and Fiona Hardingham are brilliant as Sean and Puck, but it’s interesting: you’d think that experiencing the book this way would make Sean and Puck stand out to me even more, hearing their voices. But instead I find myself more affected by things that usually fly slightly under the radar of my adoration of Sean and Puck, namely the relationship between the Connolly siblings. I was always very strongly aware of the way Gabe made Puck feel, her frustration and sadness and stubbornness, but I’m feeling it HARDCORE while listening to the audio. GUYS. THIS IS THE BEST BOOK FOR REAL.

recommendations

WORD! Hannah is all up in this first check-in with the solid recs! Although, to be honest, SO many people I know have read and loved this book. But Hannah was the one who was like, “WHAT I CAN’T BE FRIENDS WITH YOU UNTIL YOU READ THIS.” I am completely engrossed in UNDER THE NEVER SKY right now. I feel like there are still lots of things about the world-building that I want to learn, but I barely notice them half the time because I’m so caught up in Perry and Aria. I love how I get all buzzy whenever they have a scene together and THEY HAVEN’T EVEN KISSED. Chemistry, friends. These two haz heaps of it. Almost finished with this one!

So that was my first week of my recommendation challenge!! HUZZAH! I’m so looking forward to diving back into these two books and reading all of the others, too! Thanks and big hugs, friends!

Book Review: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Book cover for Code Name Verity by Elizabeth WeinTitle // Author: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (web | twitter)
Genre: Historical Fiction YA
Amazon | Goodreads
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release date: May 15, 2012
Challenge: 2012 TBR Challenge
Source: Own It

Summary: Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it’s barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she’s sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

A Michael L. Printz Award Honor book that was called “a fiendishly-plotted mind game of a novel” in The New York Times, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other.

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Reading Recommendations: A Challenge

book recommendationsIn Which I Challenge Myself to Leave My Reading Choices at the Mercy of Others

I’ve been thinking quite a lot lately, friends, about the books that people tell me I need to read. Those particularly egregious books I’ve missed that people think I would love, or the books that everyone else has read that I haven’t managed to work into my schedule yet. You know, the books that make people go, “AMY. WT ACTUAL F. WHY HAVEN’T YOU READ THIS YET, YOU SLACKER/DUMMY/PERSON WITH QUESTIONABLE PRIORITIES.” Since this seems to be happening more frequently lately, and since I just had TREMENDOUS success with a beyond solid recommendation to read Juliet Marillier’s DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST  (thanks, Alyssa and April!), I’m going to make reading books that are recommended to me officially A THING. That’s right folks: I’ve created a reading challenge for myself.

So what are the guidelines of this project that I’ve just created kind of on the spot? Basically, I’m going to give myself until the end of May to read the following books. I’m not going to make myself nuts by planning on reading 10 books because that’s not really possible in addition to the other books I need to read. Besides, I don’t think there are 10 books that fit my admittedly fluid idea of “books that are recommended to me.” I’m trying to pick books that people who know my tastes at least a little bit have said, “Amy, I think YOU would love this book.” That kind of thing. There might be a few more general recommendations of books that lots of people have loved, too, but I’m really interested in reading books suggested to me by people who’s opinions I trust. And so, THE LIST:

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