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Tuesday, April 01, 2014
YA Novel Tackles the "Real" in Reality TV
7:49 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Bonnie Baker knows better than most how little real exists in reality television. As a former star of the hit series Baker's Dozen (think Jon & Kate Plus Eight), she spent most of her childhood in front of a camera. The crew filmed her every trial and tantrum, stealing private family moments to air for all the world to see. Until Bonnie snapped. Her breakdown caused an international scandal, shut down the show, and turned her personal tragedy into nothing more than a juicy piece of celebrity gossip.
In the four years since the show went bust, Bonnie's done her best to move on. She re-named herself, changed her look, and enrolled in public school. None of Bonnie's friends or classmates know her true identity—and she intends to keep it that way. Chloe Baker prefers a quiet life, filled with nothing more exotic than trig homework and game nights at home with the family.
Unfortunately for Bonnie/Chloe, the normal life she's so carefully constructed for herself is about to explode. To see the stunned 17-year-old's reaction to this shocking turn of events, you just have to tune in to Baker's Dozen: a Fresh Batch. It's true, Chloe's worst nightmare is coming to pass. A new spin-off of the original series has been created. Once again, she's a t.v. star. Once again, her every move will be tracked by camera crews and paparazzi vultures. Once again, she has no choice in the matter.
Except this time, maybe she does. What will Chloe's rebellion cost her? Everything. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Probably. Maybe. The more she tries to stand up for herself, the less sure of herself she becomes. Will Chloe cave under all the pressure and guilt being stacked on her shoulders and cooperate with the show's producers? Or can she save herself and her siblings from the insanity that's already ruining their lives? There's only one thing Chloe knows for sure: whatever happens, Fresh Batch will end in a tear-jerking, drama-filled, Hollywood-worthy finale.
Unlike a lot of people, I couldn't care less what happens on The Bachelor. Or Big Brother. Or Iron Chef. Case in point: I had to Google "popular reality shows" to even come up with those titles! I am, however, fascinated by the psychology behind the phenom that is reality t.v.: Why would anyone agree to have a camera record every step they take, broadcasting their private struggles to the world? Why are viewers so obsessed with watching the petty dramas of someone else's life—especially when we all know none of it is real? And what kind of damage does this do to the stars of such series, especially the children?
These are the questions Heather Demetrios explores in her debut novel, Something Real. Although the story involves plenty of the kind of drama you'd expect—dodging the paparazzi; dealing with unwelcome, often engineered surprises; having your newest zit broadcast on national television, etc.—at its heart, the novel is about family. And finding your place in the world, even when asserting yourself means hurting other people. Told in the funny, sarcastic voice of Bonnie/Chloe, the story still manages to be both thoughtful and hopeful. I had my issues with Something Real, of course, but overall, it's a compelling, well-written tale that's every bit as riveting as any episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians (at least, so I'm told).
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, depictions of underage drinking/partying, and sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Something Real from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Jenny Oaks Baker's Newest Makes a Believer Out of Me. Almost.
3:32 PM
I'll be honest, I don't listen to a lot of violin music. Too many years of attending screechy elementary school orchestra concerts may have ruined the instrument for me forever! Kidding, kidding—I love that my kids, along with all their classmates, get to learn to play violin. It's just that when I'm listening to music, I prefer rock or pop to classical. I need songs I can sing along to, you know? Which, come to think of it, might be why I decided to accept this CD of violin music for review.
I'd heard of Jenny Oaks Baker, an LDS, Juilliard-educated, Grammy Award-nominated violinst, but until now, I had never listened to any of her music. Something about her newest CD, though, made me want to change that. As you can probably surmise from its title—Classic: The Rock Album—it includes violin versions of popular (singable!) rock ballads. From well-known oldies like Yesterday (The Beatles) and Scarborough Fair (Simon & Garfunkel) to more recent hits like Sting's Fields of Gold and Everybody Hurts by R.E.M., the CD offers a nice variety of recognizable songs on its ten tracks.
Although I appreciate beautiful violin music, I admit I've often found it snooze-inducing—that's not true at all with Baker's newest collection. Even the more melancholy numbers feel not just upbeat, but also uplifting. While I enjoyed all of the pieces, my favorite is Liverpool Suite, a medley of Beatles songs. It's lively and fun—the perfect choice for Track #1.
So, did Baker's latest convince me to head right over to Spotify and download as much violin music as I can find? Well, no. However, it did remind me how lovely the instrument sounds in the hands of a master. And, okay, that it wouldn't hurt me to listen to more inspiring music (especially when played by Baker), even if it doesn't have any words. A serious epiphany, I'm telling you!
Classic: The Rock Album, which comes out on April 7, can be pre-ordered from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deseret Book, and other retailers for under $20.
To the FTC, with love: I received a free copy of Classic: The Rock Album in exchange for an honest review from the generous folks at Deseret Book. Thank you!
Friday, March 28, 2014
Steelheart: It's Thrilling, Just Not Uniquely So
7:02 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Dave Charleston has only one goal: kill the man who murdered his father. Easier said than done, especially since the killer isn't a man at all. Not anymore. Steelheart is an Epic, an ordinary human turned super being. With the power to control the elements, he is merciless and unstoppable. Other Epics live in Newcago, preying on its human population in their own uniquely sadistic ways, but none dare to challenge Steelheart for rule of the city. Thus, the super monster enjoys supreme reign, meaning he does anything he wants to anyone he chooses at anytime he wants. Invincibility has its perks.
Only 18-year-old Dave knows the truth. Only he has seen Steelheart bleed. Only he knows that the metallic man can be wounded, even killed. Exactly how this is done Dave isn't sure—he just knows it's possible. Convincing others of this fact, however, is a whole 'nother ballgame. If only Dave can make the Reckoners—a small, but effective group of human resistance workers—believe him, then maybe he'll stand a chance against the mighty Steelheart. Maybe not, but he has to try. He craves revenge, justice and freedom from the cruel tyranny of the power-hungry Epics. Will he get it? Or will he die trying?
Steelheart, the first book in a new YA series by veteran sci fi/fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson, offers an action-packed story set in a harsh dystopic Chicago. It's a tale stuffed to bursting with danger, death and dazzling super beings. An intense page-turner that never really stops to take a breath. It's not the kind of thing I usually read, but hey, it's Sanderson, so I gave it a shot. Given how much the author's Mistborn series enthralled me, maybe I was expecting too much from Steelheart because, although this novel thrills, it does so in kind of a generic way. I'm sure I'm going to be in the minority on this, but I found Steelheart a little disappointing. The characters didn't pop for me, the prose seemed kind of stale and the world-building (which I've come to think of as Sanderson's very own super power) just wasn't up to par. For me, the whole story lacked the originality I've come to expect from this author. So, yeah. I know lots of readers adored this book—unfortunately, I'm really not one of them. Not that I detest the book or anything, I just found it frustratingly average. Ah, well.
(Readalikes: This isn't my usual genre, so I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence/gore; brief, mild language (no F-bombs); and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Steelheart from the generous folks at Random House via those at Edelweiss. Thank you!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Taut, Haunting And We Stay Short on Plot, Long on Hope
6:17 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When Paul Wagoner walks into his high school with a loaded gun, Emily Beam is as shocked as everyone else. She didn't know he'd take their break-up so hard, didn't know he'd end his own life, didn't know the tragedy would shatter them both. Still reeling from it all, 17-year-old Emily is sent to Amherst, Massachusetts for a fresh start. Her new boarding school might as well be on another planet, it's so different than what she's used to, but at least no one knows her there. In this new world, she drifts through her classes like a ghost, writing poetry in an effort to come to terms with all that's happened to her over the past few months.
With the spirit of Emily Dickinson wafting through the town of Amherst—where the famous poet lived her entire life—it's no wonder the grieving teenager is drawn to her. The writer's ethereal presence seems to hijack Emily Beam's brain, her presence a comfort as Emily works through her grief. Between her obsession with the poet and her new friends in Massachusetts, a tentative hope starts to fill Emily. Is it possible to move on after all that's happened? Can she really start over, putting the past behind her and looking toward the future with eagerness? Maybe. Just maybe.
As you can probably tell, And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard is a little short on plot. Because of that, it seems unfocused and a bit anticlimactic. Still, its taut, haunting prose (and poetry) pulls the reader in, making us care about what happens to Emily Beam. Although the story as a whole is kind of bleak and depressing, it ends on a triumphant, hopeful note. Overall, then, it's a decent book, just not one that really moved or amazed me.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (1 F-word, plus milder invectives), mild sexual content and adult subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
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