Sci-Fi Books We Love: Gayle Forman If I Stay

So a few years ago I read "The Lovely Bones". It was one of those books that left me feeling "creeped out" and when I saw Gayle Forman's book "If I Stay" (which draws comparisons to The Lovely Bones) I thought, "Eeeeeh I'll stay away". Personally I never consider myself a Sci-Fi book person. However When I look in my room I notice a lot of Sci-Fi/Fantasy books and I guess I'll have to re-evaluate myself.

Therefore if you are someone who doesn't really consider themselves a lover of Science Fiction I'd like to invite you to read some of the books that will be in this series of blogs! They will all be books I couldn't tear my eyes away from.

If I Stay

Follows Mia both before and after her car accident. The book starts and she tells you about her family. Her parents were "rock and roll" musicians and her little brother can't wait to follow in their footsteps. Mia, as much as she loves her family always feels a little out of place because while she is a musician, she plays the cello and has an affinity toward classical music.

Affinity may be the wrong word. Mia loves classical music and is a very gifted musician who at the time of the accident is waiting to hear back from Julliard (after her audition she is very hopeful). While her family is hurting after the accident and Mia watches it all from above (she is in a coma-type state) there is one person she "needs" to see. Her boyfriend of a year and a half Adam Wilde. Adam was about to go on stage with his band "Shooting Star" when Mia's best friend brings him the news and drives him to the hospital. We see a series of memories of Mia and her best friend and Mia and Adam.

The book closes with a heart felt plea by Adam, "Stay" he goes on to say "If you stay, I'll do whatever you want. I'll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I'll do that, too. I was talking to Liz and she said maybe coming back to your old life would be just too painful, maybe it'd be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I'd do it. I can lose you like that if I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay". I loved this book. Its characters were real and believable. You understand the weight of what her decision will be. It made me wonder what I would choose, which would be easier in this case? Life or Death?

Where She Went

Mia's decision has been made. She decided. Now we get to see the result of her decision on the people left. Or I guess more specifically the person left. This book follows Adam Wilde. His band has reached fame on an album written almost in its entirety by him. He has all the fame he has ever wanted and yet he feels hollow. Something is missing and he can't feel closure about his past. The band doesn't know him anymore, or understand him. You get the impression that even he doesn't exactly know what he is looking for. Adam is set up to have an interview with an internet magazine when he hears a name he hasn't heard in hears. A reporter digs up old pictures of them in school "Groovy and Geek", she finds newspaper clippings of the accident, and noticed their sequencing with the "black hole" that Shooting Star went through three years ago. He is forced to put Mia in the forefront of his mind (though she's been in the back of his mind for years) and you'll be surprised by how this story unfolds.

I loved this book and thought that Adam was written IMPECCABLY well. I highly recommend both books!

Thats all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Books of Summer: Jenny Han

I've read a lot of books. Some books when I go to the store initially deter me. Mostly because I'm 23 years old and there are some books that when someone asks me "What are you reading?" I'm embarrassed to say the name.

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" started out as one of those. However very quickly my mind was changed and I couldn't put down this trilogy of summers. Moreover I had no problem recommending them to my friends!

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Welcome to Cousins beach and the beach house of Susannah Fisher and her two sons Conrad and Jeremiah. Every summer they invite down Susannah's best friend from childhood Laurel Conklin and her two kids, Stephen and Belly (Isabel). Belly has been in love with Conrad for as long as she or any one else can remember. Belly has spent her life as a fourth wheel to the boys fun and sometimes finds herself not included at all. She is the youngest of them all. Conrad is older than Belly by about 2 years. So until she comes to Cousins the summer she turns 16, she has just been little goofy Belly. However, the summer she turns pretty, the Fisher boys start to look at her a little differently in a way that confuses both of them. That coupled with a lot of secrets in the house causes a summer none of them would forget.

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down and was thrilled to find there was another on out! This book is the summer you always swore you'd have and lets face it probably never did. Jeremiah is cause for a lot of hilarity in this book and he will make you smile probably more than just about anyone. Once you get passed that Belly's name is in fact, Belly... the book charms you into its fictional world.

It's Not Summer Without You

Welcome back to Cousins for yet another unforgettable summer. This book takes place the following summer and a lot has changed. Without giving anything away I'll try and summarize this book for you. This book takes a look at what happens after Belly becomes seen as something more than just Laurel's little girl. What I loved about this book is that while most of the book is written from Belly's perspective there are chapters written from the perspective of the ever lovable Jeremiah. Jeremiah has a self deprecating humor that you can't help but find endearing. Jeremiah is getting ready for college, Conrad is finishing his first year, and Belly is entering her senior year certain that nothing will ever be the same again. Follow them on adventure to sort out exactly what has happened in the past year and what it means for their future.

We'll Always Have Summer

Oh this book... It was EVERYTHING I could have wished it would be. It takes place two years after "Its Not Summer Without You" and it seems as though EVERYTHING has changed. Because this book is the latest installment I refuse to be the one that tells you how it ends. BUT just so you know. Jeremiah finally gets his shot outside of Conrad's shadow. And Conrad has a moment... where he says EVERYTHING you've been waiting for him to say for the past two books. The ball is in Belly's court. Who will she pick? Will she pick either of them? How will it end? I can't tell you but I can say... You will NOT be disappointed.

I spend a lot of time with middle school aged kids and EVERY one of them who has read these books ADORED them. If you have a daughter/friend who enjoys reading... get them this book! I would say starting age is about 12.

Kudos to Jenny Han. You wrapped up this series wonderfully and I can't wait to see what you tackle next!

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Books of Summer: Sarah Dessen Part II

So as I last posted I was going to tell you about another of my favorite Sarah Dessen books and tell you a little bit about her latest one. She has other books that have come out between Just Listen and What Happened to Goodbye, namely, Lock and Key and Along for the Ride.

Lock and Key has Ruby and Chris. They are cute and it a very different story than Sarah Dessen's usual stuff. However in that sense it is also pretty refreshing. I enjoyed it for sure and perhaps over time I'll learn to love it like I love her others.

Along for the Ride is actually surprisingly funny. Auden the protagonist has a feminist, scholarly mother, which leads to some HILARIOUSLY biting commentary. Auden and Eli have a funny chemistry. Some of my favorite one liners come from Along for the Ride. :-)

HOWEVER we aren't here to talk about Lock and Key or Along for the Ride.

Just Listen

"Annabel, Annabel, Annabel Green," (set to the poem Annabel Lee by Edgar Alan Poe). Annabel Green has what everybody deems to be the perfect life. She is a model, her sisters are beautiful, and her family lives in a beautiful glass house in "The Arbors". However in one night at the end of school last year everything changed for Annabel. She now spends her school days sitting on a ledge at lunch about six feet away from Owen Armstrong. Owen is known as the angriest kid around. However Annabel finds out he is MUCH more than he appears. Annabel internal dialogues a lot but she has some very funny observations about her life both past and present. However my favorite character in the book is Owen's little sister... Mallory. Mallory enters the book in a "blur of pink" she is bubbly and hilarious. Her introduction is my favorite section of ANY Sarah Dessen book. I LOVE this book and it is pretty much wonderful!

What Happened to Goodbye?

Ah Sarah's latest venture. I look forward to summer knowing that Sarah Dessen may come out with a new book. In this book she didn't disappoint. Mclean (named for a Basketball Coaching Legend) goes through life putting on different masks. When she arrives in Lakeview all bets are off. She meets a neighbor Dave and he begins to actually create a lasting friendship, and he likewise begins to see through her mask and get to know her for who she is and the mystery of where she comes from. I loved this book because we got to see McLean really transform and it talks a lot about the pain of divorce and different ways of coping. Dave is a really sweet understated character and it brings about a very "boy next door charm". This works because he is in fact the boy next door. Wonderful book, endearing and charming. I plan on reading it again and again.

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Books of Summer: Sarah Dessen

So as I shared before I love Sarah Dessen novels! I find they are like a good wine and get better with age. It seems the first ones I read by her are my favorites but I think its only because I have read them so many times. So here they are my top two! Tomorrow I will post my next to favorites by Sarah Dessen and then we'll change it up with another favorite YA author of mine.

This Lullaby

Basically about a girl who doesn't believe in love and has a bunch of rules as to how relationships work. Then this girl meets a guy who turns her world upside down. Now you might be thinking.... haven't I read this book? Haven't I seen this movie? Here is the thing... you may have heard the story but you've never seen anything like these CHARACTERS. Remi the main character is kick butt. She is gutsy and a little bit crazy but very sarcastic and witty. As a foil for her we have Dexter. Dexter is described as "all angles", he is charismatic, and has a way of getting under Remi's skin that just MAKES YOU LAUGH.

The Truth About Forever

For starters you should know this book will make you "Sa-Woon!". Macy is a girl who has spent the better part of the last couple years trying to be perfect. It should come as no surprise though that just when she thinks she has it all figured out, the ball drops, and she walks herself into a job catering at "Wish". While catering at Wish she forms a friendship with Kristy, Monique, Bert, and... pause for it.. Wes. **Sigh** Wes is essentially a dream. Macy describes him as "The boy all the girls want to rebel with, plus the whole tortured artist bit". Wes will woo you with his sweet humility and his irresistible charm. Wes is my favorite of all the Sarah Dessen leading men.

That is all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl