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Showing posts with label Rebecca Podos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rebecca Podos. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2016
The Mystery of Hollow Places A Breath of Fresh Air
1:52 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Aside from a mystical tale about her parents meeting over a dead body at the morgue, Imogene Scott knows little about her mother. Only two facts stand out: Sidonie Scott suffered from depression and she left when Immy was just a toddler. Since then, Immy has relied only on her father, a forensic anthropologist turned bestselling mystery writer. Although her stepmother, Lindy, tries, she and Immy just don't see eye-to-eye. So, when her father fails to come home one night, Immy is naturally distraught. Prone to bi-polar episodes, Joshua Scott could be anywhere doing anything. Because of a vague clue he left behind, Immy believes her father is searching for Sidonie, his one true love. If she can track down her long-lost birth mother, she knows she'll find Joshua as well.
Raised on a steady diet of mystery novels, Immy knows a thing or two about solving difficult puzzles. Using methods gleaned from her favorite stories—including those written by her dad—she uses the few clues she has to follow the trails of her missing parents. As she separates the facts from the fiction she's been told, Immy will make some shocking discoveries about her parents and herself. The more that's revealed, the more she comes to appreciate her perfectly imperfect family, friendships, and future. But, the answers to her deepest questions remain elusive—What happened to Joshua Scott? Does Sidonie have anything to do with his disappearance? Most importantly, why did Immy's mother abandon her? And will Immy's already broken family ever be whole again?
Traditional-type mysteries are a rarity in the world of YA. The Mystery of Hollow Places, a debut novel by Rebecca Podos, thus feels like a breath of fresh air, even though it's really not all that original. Still, there's something to be said for a teen book that focuses more on a mystery than on a romance (or, God forbid, a love triangle) or petty high school dramas. At its heart, The Mystery of Hollow Places is about Immy trying to find someone—not her parents, but herself. All of these elements, plus the story's exciting, fast-paced plot, make it an enjoyable read. I would have liked to encounter more twists in Immy's road to self-discovery (and mystery-solving), but overall, the book kept me both engrossed and entertained. I'm anxious to see what Podos does next.
(Readalikes: Elements of this novel reminded me of One By One by Jojo Moyes)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives); brief references to illegal drug use and underage drinking; and non-graphic references to sex
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Tuesday, December 01, 2015
2016 Debut Author Reading Challenge
7:18 PM
Because I had such a good time coming up with a list for today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt, I'm going to go ahead and sign up for the 2016 Debut Author Challenge hosted by ThatArtsyReaderGirl.com. Who cares if I'm totally failing all of my 2015 challenges? We're talking about a new year here, right? Right. So here are the 12 books I'm planning to read:
1. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman
2. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
3. The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos
4. Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban
5. Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
6. Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace
7. The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
8. The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden
9. Thief of Lies by Brenda Drake
10. Please Don't Tell by Laura Tims
11. Where Futures End by Parker Peevyhouse
12. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
I'm excited to read all these fabulous-looking debuts. Anyone else doing the challenge?
1. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman
2. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
3. The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos
4. Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban
5. Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
6. Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace
7. The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
8. The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden
9. Thief of Lies by Brenda Drake
10. Please Don't Tell by Laura Tims
11. Where Futures End by Parker Peevyhouse
12. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
I'm excited to read all these fabulous-looking debuts. Anyone else doing the challenge?
Top Ten Tuesday: 2016 Bookish Debuts? Yes, Please!
9:54 AM
It's been a little while since I did a Top Ten Tuesday post, but this week's topic intrigued me. I always love to discover great new writers and 2016 appears to be a good year for them. So many awesome-looking debut books release next year that I had a really hard time limiting myself to a list of just ten. I did, though, and I'm excited to share them with you. I'm anxious to see what you came up with as well. So, please, leave me a comment on this post—I'll happily return the favor on your blog!
If you want to join in the TTT fun, be sure to click on over to The Broke and the Bookish. Everything you need to know about this fabulous weekly meme is on their wonderful site.
Ready for my Top Ten 2016 Debut Novels I'm Looking Forward To list? Hold on tight, 'cause here we go ... (can you tell I spent Thanksgiving weekend on rides at Disneyland/California Adventure?)
1. The Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn N. Eves—I've loved Rosalyn ever since she told me she was "star-struck" by serving on a book awards judging panel with me :) She writes excellent book reviews on her blog. I'm sure her debut novel, a magical YA story set in an alternate Victorian England, will be amazing as well. Coming Fall 2016 from Knopf.
2. Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban—I love me a well-written middle grade historical novel. This one, about a Japanese-American girl whose family is relocated to an internment camp during WWII, sounds like a good one. Coming January 5, 2016, from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
3. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp—Considering how many school shootings have occurred lately, this YA novel examines a frightening and timely trend. It sounds like an intense, thought-provoking read. Coming January 5, 2016, from Sourcebooks.
Coincidentally enough, I got an email from Sourcebooks yesterday about a fun pre-order promotion its running to celebrate the book's release. Check out the Rafflecopter widget below if you're interested:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
4. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman—Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me! This is a much-anticipated YA novel about a young Blackbeard. Looks like a great read for any Pirates of the Caribbean fan. Coming February 9, 2016, from Simon Pulse.
5. The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos—This YA tale centers around the daughter of a forensic scientist who has to use the knowledge she's gleaned from her father to track him down when he goes missing. Sounds compelling. Coming January 26, 2016, from Balzer & Bray.
6. Where Futures End by Parker Peevyhouse—This time-crossing YA adventure novel sounds fascinating to me. Coming February 9, 2016, from Kathy Dawson Books.
7. Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace—You've probably heard the buzz about this debut, a YA novel concerning a teenage girl who wakes up in a shallow grave one year after her death. Somehow, she's alive again, but her world has definitely changed ... Coming January 26, 2016, from Katherine Tegen Books.
8. In Another Life by Julie Christine Johnson—This adult novel about a recent widow who returns to France to rebuild her life and becomes entangled in an ancient mystery sounds like a good one. Coming February 2, 2016, from Sourcebooks Landmark.
9. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly—This WWII novel about three women whose lives intersect at a notorious female-only concentration camp looks fascinating. Coming April 5, 2016, from Ballantine Books.
10. The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock—Truth is, I would probably read this one based on the title alone! Its premise also sounds interesting. The story concerns three teenagers living in Alaska in 1970 and the ways in which they save each other. Coming February 23, 2016, from Wendy Lamb Books.
So, there you go, ten debut novels of 2016 that I'm excited about reading. What do you think of my list? What's on yours? Do we have any picks in common? I can't wait to hop around the book blogosphere and see which titles you're stoked about. Happy Top Ten Tuesday!
If you want to join in the TTT fun, be sure to click on over to The Broke and the Bookish. Everything you need to know about this fabulous weekly meme is on their wonderful site.
Ready for my Top Ten 2016 Debut Novels I'm Looking Forward To list? Hold on tight, 'cause here we go ... (can you tell I spent Thanksgiving weekend on rides at Disneyland/California Adventure?)
1. The Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn N. Eves—I've loved Rosalyn ever since she told me she was "star-struck" by serving on a book awards judging panel with me :) She writes excellent book reviews on her blog. I'm sure her debut novel, a magical YA story set in an alternate Victorian England, will be amazing as well. Coming Fall 2016 from Knopf.
2. Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban—I love me a well-written middle grade historical novel. This one, about a Japanese-American girl whose family is relocated to an internment camp during WWII, sounds like a good one. Coming January 5, 2016, from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
3. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp—Considering how many school shootings have occurred lately, this YA novel examines a frightening and timely trend. It sounds like an intense, thought-provoking read. Coming January 5, 2016, from Sourcebooks.
Coincidentally enough, I got an email from Sourcebooks yesterday about a fun pre-order promotion its running to celebrate the book's release. Check out the Rafflecopter widget below if you're interested:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
4. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman—Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me! This is a much-anticipated YA novel about a young Blackbeard. Looks like a great read for any Pirates of the Caribbean fan. Coming February 9, 2016, from Simon Pulse.
5. The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos—This YA tale centers around the daughter of a forensic scientist who has to use the knowledge she's gleaned from her father to track him down when he goes missing. Sounds compelling. Coming January 26, 2016, from Balzer & Bray.
6. Where Futures End by Parker Peevyhouse—This time-crossing YA adventure novel sounds fascinating to me. Coming February 9, 2016, from Kathy Dawson Books.
7. Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace—You've probably heard the buzz about this debut, a YA novel concerning a teenage girl who wakes up in a shallow grave one year after her death. Somehow, she's alive again, but her world has definitely changed ... Coming January 26, 2016, from Katherine Tegen Books.
8. In Another Life by Julie Christine Johnson—This adult novel about a recent widow who returns to France to rebuild her life and becomes entangled in an ancient mystery sounds like a good one. Coming February 2, 2016, from Sourcebooks Landmark.
9. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly—This WWII novel about three women whose lives intersect at a notorious female-only concentration camp looks fascinating. Coming April 5, 2016, from Ballantine Books.
10. The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock—Truth is, I would probably read this one based on the title alone! Its premise also sounds interesting. The story concerns three teenagers living in Alaska in 1970 and the ways in which they save each other. Coming February 23, 2016, from Wendy Lamb Books.
So, there you go, ten debut novels of 2016 that I'm excited about reading. What do you think of my list? What's on yours? Do we have any picks in common? I can't wait to hop around the book blogosphere and see which titles you're stoked about. Happy Top Ten Tuesday!
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