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Showing posts with label Neal Shusterman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neal Shusterman. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 01, 2024
Top Ten Tuesday: My Fall TBR List, Part Two
What are you like when it comes to hype surrounding new books? Do you give into it for fear of missing out on a title "everyone" seems to be loving? Or are you leery about following the crowd, maybe because you've been burned before? Today's TTT prompt is all about that: Top Ten Books You Read/Avoided Because of the Hype (and did you make the right choice?). I'm more likely to do the latter, but occasionally, I do get caught up in the hype. I can think of a few books I've read or bought because of it, just not enough for much of a list. However, I have no trouble at all coming up with more books that are on my Fall TBR list, so I decided to make an addendum to last week's list.
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten (More) Books On My Fall TBR List
I'm just about done with this novel. Although it deals with a dark time, it tells a hopeful, empowering story about how we can help each other through hardships. Compestine lives in California, but she grew up in Wuhan, which makes the tale feel especially authentic.
2. The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong—In this second installment in the Haven's Rock series, Casey and Eric have accepted a family into their hidden Yukon town for the first time. No one is used to having kids in their midst, so when 10-year-old Max claims to see a strange bear-man prowling the woods, no one takes him very seriously. Then, the boy disappears. As Casey and Eric comb the forest for the child, they come across ominous clues that indicate a killer is in their midst. While they search frantically for answers, they face another unexpected challenge: Casey is pregnant. Can the two of them find Max before it's too late? Are they ready to be parents when they can't even keep track of one small boy? What does a baby mean for their future and that of their town?
Haven's Rock is a spinoff series of Armstrong's popular Rockton series. I've loved all the books, especially on audio, so I'm enjoying this one in that format as well. Thérèse Plummer is an excellent narrator. She performs Casey and Eric so well!
3. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico—I've heard good things about this heartwarming novel and it fits a reading challenge prompt I need to check off, so I'll be reading it soon. It's about a humble English charwoman who falls in love—with a sumptuous Dior dress. Finding the elegant garment sets her on a quest that has her saving every pound she makes until she's got enough to go on a life-changing journey to Paris, where she changes her life and those of plenty others along the way. Sounds like a delightful read!
4. Dead Tired by Kat Ailes—The Expectant Detectives kept me royally entertained, so I'm excited to read this sequel. It's about a group of pregnant women who meet at a class for expectant mothers and, unexpectedly, became amateur sleuths who successfully solve a murder together. One year later, the moms are exhausted, desperate for some much-needed rest. An eco-protest provides a convenient escape, but when one of their fellow protesters is killed, the sleepy parents find themselves channeling their inner Nancy Drews once again...
5. A Cruel Light by Cindy MacMillan—When a young woman is brutally murdered, it rocks her small town to its core. Just when memories of the slaying are starting to fade, an eerie painting of the victim is discovered during the renovation of the local parsonage. An art expert is hired to clean the portrait while a local detective hunts for clues in its depths. The pair soon realize that the killer will do whatever it takes to cover their tracks. Can they find answers before they become murder victims themselves?
6. All Better Now by Neal Shusterman—This YA thriller concerns a virus that is running rampant. Although it starts with a fever, its long-term effects include personal peace, contentment, and happiness. Not everyone is thrilled with these results, especially those who make big money off people with depression, stress, and worry. Soon, they are trying to convince the populace that too much happiness is not a good thing. Two teens who are confused by the mixed messages determine to find the truth behind the virus and its effects. Can an overabundance of happiness in the world truly be a bad thing?
7. The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose—I loved both The Maid and The Mystery Guest, so I'm all in for this holiday-themed Maid novella. Molly Gray has always loved Christmas. She's looking forward to celebrating the special season with her beloved boyfriend, Juan Manuel. When a gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel goes wrong, however, it leaves her questioning the people she thought loved her most. Molly has always had trouble reading people and knowing whom to trust. Has she made a critical mistake once again?
8. Homeless Bird by Gloria Whalen—This National Book Award winning YA novel sounds interesting. I'm not sure exactly when it takes place, but it's about a 13-year-old girl who's being married off by her parents. When she realizes they've been horribly deceived about the situation, the brave young woman vows to take charge of her own future.
9. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens—I read or listen to this holiday classic every year to get me into the Christmas spirit. The audiobook narrated by Tim Curry has become my go-to version lately. It's fantastic!
10. Gone to Hot Pot by Vivien Chien—Thanks to a reading challenge prompt (what else?), I need to read a book sold only in digital format. This novella, #9.5 in one of my favorite cozy mystery series, fits the bill. Lana Lee, the main character and usual narrator in the Noodle Shop Mystery books, is away at a restaurant convention. Megan, Lana's roommate, is left in charge of her dog, Kikkoman. When Megan decides to drop by Asia Village with the pup in tow, she never dreams the pooch will run away and become hopelessly lost. Even with everyone in the community helping, Kikko is nowhere to be found. Where in the world is Lana's beloved pet and can they find him before she returns?
There you are, ten more books that I'm eager to enjoy this Fall. Have you read any of them? What's on your Fall TBR list? And what titles have you read or avoided because of hype? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here.
Happy TTT!
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Top Ten Tuesday: Atmospheric Books
I missed my favorite weekly meme last week for the very best reason in the world: my first grandbaby was born last Tuesday! My daughter-in-law has a heart condition that put her in the ICU for post-partum observation until today, so this little cutie was discharged from the hospital before her mommy. Because of that, the two of us have gotten to spend lots of time together this week (especially late at night). She's a sweet, calm baby, and we're all smitten with her.
My son and daughter-in-law don't want pictures of their precious newborn's face on the Internet, so you're just going to have to trust me when I say that she is the most beautiful granddaughter ever born! (Although my red, squinty eyes make me look demonic in this picture, they're just the result of me crying lots of joyful tears.)
Today's TTT topic is a fun one: Top Ten Atmospheric Books. I love a story that immerses me in a rich, evocative setting that makes me feel like I've stepped right into another world. If a book is described as "atmospheric," I will 100% take a closer look at it. It's maybe not so surprising then that the word I tend to most overuse in my reviews is "atmospheric." My memory isn't the greatest (I am old enough to be a grandma, after all) so I don't remember all the details that made these books stand out to me, but I described them all with my favorite review word.
Top Ten Tuesday is, as always, hosted by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. She has COVID, so give her some extra love today.
Top Ten Atmospheric Books
1. Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman—This YA novel is about a drought in California that makes people so desperate for water that they create a dystopian situation for themselves. The story is so vividly told that my throat felt parched the entire time I was reading it. I've never guzzled as much water while reading before!
2. Anything by Kate Morton—Morton is one of my all-time favorite authors because her books are always soaked in atmosphere. They feature old homes, buried secrets, and evocative settings.
4. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James—Haunted house stories are often eerie and atmospheric. This one, set in an abandoned school for troubled girls, certainly is. Even though it creeped me out big time and ultimately gave me nightmares, I couldn't stop reading it. That's how gripping it is.
5. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys—Almost everything about this historical teen novel feels heavy and oppressive. This is done on purpose so that the reader can feel deeply what it must have been like to live in Communist Romania under the rule of a cruel, power-hungry tyrant.
6. The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian—Set in the 1920s in a squalid Mississippi swamp community, the setting comes very much alive in this novel about two girls living bleak, hardscrabble lives who come together to cover up a murder.
7. Eventide by Sarah Goodman—I read this spooky teen novel while doing the overnight shift with my grandbaby. It's got a "don't go into the woods" plot that had me jumping a little every time I heard a noise that wasn't a sweet baby coo.
8. The Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny—These are my favorite mystery books, in part because the author makes the little town of Three Pines come alive in such a brilliant way. Yes, it's a quaint, cozy village, but its residents are complex individuals with abundant quirks, faults, and secrets. This causes the hamlet to come alive in a way that makes me want to move there immediately, warts and all.
9. These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly—It's been years since I read this YA mystery set in Gilded Age New York City, but I remember loving it. A page-turner for lots of reasons, it boasts a vivid setting.
10. The Dry by Jane Harper—Like #1, this contemporary Australian mystery novel is set in a parched, drought-stricken land. The author creates such a dynamic backdrop that I could taste the dust in the air.
There you go, ten atmospheric books I enjoyed reading. Have you read any of them? Which titles did you choose for your list today? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Friday, July 03, 2020
Drought Dystopian a Tense, Exciting, Thirst-Making Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"Doomsday scenarios are only fun when doomsday is just a hypothetical" (163).
The drought is old news to Californians. They're already allowing their grass to die, not filling up their swimming pools, and jumping in and out of the shower as fast as possible. Although they've been warned the water will run out eventually, most are shocked—and woefully unprepared—when the worst happens. With no water gushing or even trickling out of their taps, people are panicking. Those who aren't rushing to leave the state are ransacking the grocery stores, buying up every bottle of water on the shelves. When not even an ice cube is left and days continue to pass with no relief in sight, chaos reigns.
Alyssa Morrow barely recognizes her neighborhood anymore—her once peaceful subdivision has turned into a war zone. When her parents don't return from their trip to get help, the 16-year-old realizes she's on her own to take care of herself and her 10-year-old brother. With no stored water in her home, her only hope lies in the weird kid who lives next door. Kelton McCracken is the geeky son of a prepper. If anyone knows how to survive the water apocalypse, it's him. When a shocking tragedy sends the teens on a frantic flight to find the supplies they need to survive, all of their lives are put on the line. Desperate to keep her brother safe and healthy, Alyssa must make some impossible decisions as the ordered world she once knew falls apart around her.
Considering all that's happened already in 2020, Dry—the newest YA novel by Neal Shusterman and his son, Jarrod—rings eerily true. Luckily, the catastrophic drought at the center of the story is only fiction (at least for now). As such, it makes for a tense, exciting page-turner that will force readers to ask themselves, "What would I do?" The answers may be unsettling, especially considering all we've all been through this year. Besides being an engrossing novel, Dry is definitely a thought-provoking one. The characters are realistically complex and conflicted; on the whole, though, they're a likable and admirable lot. Interesting characters, an engaging plot, and plenty of food for thought combine to make Dry not just a riveting read, but a powerful one. I absolutely recommend picking yourself up a copy. Just be warned: you're going to want to have a big glass of ice water next to you while you read this book because I guarantee it's going to make you crave a nice, cold drink!
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other YA dystopian novels, especially Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Dry from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
TTT: Spring Has Sprung on Mt. TBR, Part Two
I don't know about your Spring, but mine isn't going quite the way I thought it would! I had no idea my kids' Spring Break would be extended by a month or that I would be standing in line at the grocery store this morning with half the city just to buy laundry detergent or that all my local libraries would be closed for the duration. Wow, what a time we're living in! Despite the fact that I'm a Type 1 diabetic, I'm really not all that worried about the coronavirus—I have a year's supply of food in my house (my church's leadership has been preaching emergency preparedness for decades), plenty of toilet paper (I'm a Costco regular), a cabinet full of Bath & Body Works hand soap (I can't resist a sale), a couple month's worth of insulin (T1D strong!), and a *few* books on my shelves to keep me entertained. I'll be fine. I'm a bit of a hermit anyway, so I got this. I hope you are healthy and calm amid all this chaos. If you need a distraction from reality, there's nothing like a book to take you away from it all!
If you're not familiar with Top Ten Tuesday, you really should be. It's my favorite weekly bookish meme. Playing along is super easy and it's a great way to get acquainted in our fabulous book blogging community. All you have to do is head on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few quick instructions, create your own list, then spend some happy hours checking out everyone else's posts. It's a good time, I promise.
Today's topic is Top Ten Books on My Spring 2020 TBR. You may recall that I got a jump on this topic last week, listing ten of the books I want to read this Spring. I even read three of them last week. Go, me! Today, I'm giving you the second half of the list, in no particular order.
Spring Has Sprung On Mt. TBR, Part Two:
1. Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman—This is a bit of a cheat since I actually just finished this book. It may seem weird to read a dystopian novel while we're sorta living in one, but I enjoyed this novel about a drought in California reaching epically awful proportions. The story is fast-paced, engrossing, and thought-provoking. It's an interesting time to be asking yourself the kinds of questions that come up in this book: How will I act/react when faced with a devastating crisis? Am I in it for myself or do I care more about helping others? How far would I go to protect my family? How prepared am I for a natural disaster/pandemic/local or global crisis?
2. The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray—I was supposed to read this novel last week for a blog tour, but I'm a *little* behind. The story concerns a family whose matriarch and patriarch are arrested, plunging them from a respected couple into a reviled one. As the rest of the family grapples with the shocking development, they have to ask themselves what really happened. Is the revered couple guilty or innocent?
3. The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison—I'm not sure why dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels are so appealing to me right now, but this one sounds super intriguing. It's about a midwife who has to find her place in a world that has changed irrevocably as the result of a pandemic that has decimated the world's population. Maybe a little too real?
4. Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn—On a lighter note, this warm-hearted romance featuring a calligrapher with an uncanny ability to read signs others can't see sounds like fun.
5. All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White—I enjoyed The Glass Ocean, which was penned by this trio, so I'm excited to check out their newest joint venture. This triple-timeline historical looks intriguing.
6. The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey—A YA romance set in a bookstore? Yes, please!
7. When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman—I couldn't find a detailed plot summary for this book, but it gets good reviews and I've heard high praise, so I'm going to check it out.
8. Big in Japan: Accidental Sumo by Jennifer Griffith—I was looking for a book set in Japan to read for the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge, and this contemporary YA sounds fun. It's about an overweight teenager who finds the kind of fame and popularity overseas that he's never had in Texas. Naturally, all the attention is not all it's cracked up to be ...
9. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (available April 7, 2020)—I'm really not into bloodsuckers, but when a novel is described as "Steel Magnolias meets Dracula," I don't know how anyone can resist! Looks like a super fun read.
10. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate (available April 7, 2020)—I enjoyed Wingate's Before We Were Yours, so I'm excited to read another novel by her. Her newest concerns a trio of young women who journey across a tumultuous country in 1875 and the modern-day teacher who discovers their unforgettable story. I'm in, for sure!
There you go, ten books I'd like to read this Spring. What are you reading? Have you read any of my picks? What did you think? I'd truly love to know. Leave a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.
Happy TTT!
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
TTT: The Ones That Got Away
Before we get to that, though, I want to encourage you to join in the TTT fun. It's easy peasey. All you have to do is click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read few a few guidelines, make a list of your own, share it, then start visiting other blogs. It's a great way to find new blogs, add great-looking reads to your own TBR mountain chain, and just spread the love around Ye Ole Book Blogosphere. It's a good time, I promise!
Okay, here we go with Top Ten Books By My Favorite Authors That I Still Haven't Read (not including books in series—mostly):
1. J.K. Rowling—Harry Potter is one of my all-time favorite series, but I've never read any of the books by Rowling's alter ego, Robert Galbraith. I've seen mixed reviews, so I haven't rushed to check them out. I will though. Eventually.
2. Maeve Binchy—I adore this Irish author who died in 2012. I thought I'd read all her books except the last three: Minding Frankie (2010), A Week in Winter (2012), and Chestnut Street (2014). Turns out, she's also written a half dozen non-fiction books. Who knew?
3. Liane Moriarty—With the exception of Truly Madly Guilty, I've loved everything I've ever read by Moriarty. There are a few on her backlist that I still need to get to: Three Wishes (2013), The Last Anniversary (2005), and The Hypnotist's Love Story (2012). She also has a children's series, but I'm not sure it's really my cup of tea, so I'll probably skip it.
4. Jodi Picoult—I've long been a Picoult fan, but I haven't read all her books yet. What's missing? Sing You Home (2011) and The Storyteller (2013), plus the two she wrote with her daughter, Samantha van Leer: Between the Lines (2012) and Off the Page (2015).
5. Jacqueline Woodson—I love Woodson's books, but there are plenty I have yet to read by the newly-crowned National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. I'm especially interested in Harbor Me (2018). I also heard her read her newest picture book, The Day You Begin (2018), at the National Book Festival earlier this month and I'd love to re-read it.
6. Rae Carson—I adore Carson's Gold Seer trilogy, but I have yet to give her Fire & Thorns series a go.
7. Neal Shusterman—With the exception of Scythe, I've loved everything I've read by this prolific author. He's tough to keep up with, though, so I have lots of catching up to do with him. I'm not even sure where to start. What's your favorite of his?
8. Julia Keller—I read every Bell Elkins book as soon as I can get my hands on it, but I haven't given Keller's newest series a try yet. The Dark Intercept series has a futuristic/sci fi setup, which isn't my usual thing. Still, I'm going to give it a whirl one of these days.
9. Susan Meissner—Meissner's gentle dual-timeline novels are right up my alley. I've read all of them from 2011 on. The author's got a fairly extensive backlist, though, and I'm definitely planning to check it out. I'm especially interested in The Shape of Mercy (2008), a novel about a college student whose studies of the Salem Witch Trials go a little too deep ...
10. Emily Carpenter—I just discovered this author and while I'm not sure I can call her a favorite yet, I have been enjoying her twisted psychological thrillers. Her newest (which sounds amazing) doesn't come out until March 2019, so I have plenty of time to read the only one of hers I haven't delved into yet—Burying the Honeysuckle Girls (2016). It's sitting on my Kindle, just waiting for me to open it up.
There you go, all (well, some) of the books I still need to read from some of my favorite authors. Have you read any of them? Where should I start? How about you—which books are you missing from your favorite authors? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment and I'll gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy Top Ten Tuesday!
Tuesday, February 07, 2017
It's Shusterman And Yet ...No, Just No
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With no disease, no war, no government, no real pain, and virtually no death, life in MidMerica is pleasantly staid. Ambition has become a thing of the past. In fact, "with nothing to aspire to, life had become about maintenance. Eternal maintenance" (44). Citra Terranova is satisfied with her comfortable, unremarkable existence which she knows will evolve into a comfortable, unremarkable future. As just one member of a very large family, 16-year-old Rowan Damisch isn't quite as at ease, but he's not unhappy with his life either. What neither teen expects is to be given the chance to do something important, something extraordinary. Becoming a scythe's apprentice—and eventually, a real scythe—is that kind of assignment. In a pleasant world full of placid people, it's a chance to be stand out, to become something special.
As the harbingers—and executors—of death, scythes are universally feared. Although the random killings performed by scythes are deemed necessary for population control, few are truly comfortable with their presence. Citra and Rowan are no exception. They don't want to become scythes, are appalled by the idea of spending the rest of their lives killing people. Then again, they don't really have a choice, do they? As the teens learn the "art" of performing sanctioned murder, they're awakened to the harsh realities and cruel costs of maintaining a perfect world. Is it worth the heavy price? And how can two kids possibly change things if it's not?
First off, let me say that I love Neal Shusterman. His Unwind series is brilliant, one of my favorites. Shusterman has a way of examining contemporary issues in unique and surprising ways while, at the same time, telling an engaging, exciting story. I'm a fan, for sure. So, naturally, I got excited when I heard he was penning a new series. Even though the book's premise sounded a little odd, I was stoked to read Scythe, the first installment. What did I think? Honestly, I was disappointed. I expected the novel to be chilling. I expected it to be disturbing. I also expected to like it because, well ... it's Shusterman! And yet, I just couldn't get on board with the story's premise (which is, indeed, chilling and disturbing). At no point in the tale did I become convinced of the necessity of scything. Nothing about the job seemed noble or necessary. I mean, if you absolutely had to kill people off every now and then to control the population, why in the world would you make their deaths any more violent or traumatizing than they had to be? Makes no sense to me, not even in a fictional world. So, yeah, I had trouble stomaching the whole idea. Also, considering all the blood and gore, Scythe actually gets boring in places. I can't see teens sticking with it for all 435 pages. The novel does ask some intriguing philosophical questions (Can one truly know pleasure without experiencing pain? Can people really appreciate life if they know nothing of death?) that would make for some excellent discussion. Overall, though, I had a hard time enjoying Scythe. I'm still in awe of Shusterman's impressive storytelling skills, but his new series is just not for me. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of the Hunger Games series [The Hunger Games; Catching Fire; and Mockingjay] by Suzanne Collins and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson)
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, blood/gore, sexual innuendo, and language (no F-bombs)
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Scythe from Costco with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
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