#HearOurVoices tour: : Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
My rating: Liked
Purchase: (bookshop.org) |Libro.fm

synopsis: Coming of age as a Fat brown girl in a white Connecticut suburb is hard.

Harder when your whole life is on fire, though.

Charlie Vega is a lot of things. Smart. Funny. Artistic. Ambitious. Fat.

People sometimes have a problem with that last one. Especially her mom. Charlie wants a good relationship with her body, but it's hard, and her mom leaving a billion weight loss shakes on her dresser doesn't help. The world and everyone in it have ideas about what she should look like: thinner, lighter, slimmer-faced, straighter-haired. Be smaller. Be whiter. Be quieter.

But there's one person who's always in Charlie's corner: her best friend Amelia. Slim. Popular. Athletic. Totally dope. So when Charlie starts a tentative relationship with cute classmate Brian, the first worthwhile guy to notice her, everything is perfect until she learns one thing--he asked Amelia out first. So is she his second choice or what? Does he even really see her? UGHHH. Everything is now officially a MESS.

A sensitive, funny, and painful coming-of-age story with a wry voice and tons of chisme, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega tackles our relationships to our parents, our bodies, our cultures, and ourselves.

Charlie Vega is our titular lead. Her personality jumps from the page. She's smart, funny, artistic and a go getter. She and her mom. It's about a plus size young woman of color navigating through life. It deals with with being brown in a white neighborhood. Maldonado did a great job fleshing out Charlie and her relations with other people. People at work, school and at home. This title touches on diet culture and how mothers can love their daughters and be toxic at the same time. Heads up on that. I And I'm glad that there wasn't a situation were suddenly everything is okay because that kind of relationship really can’t easily be “fixed”.

I love how the romance and Charlie's friendship had equal importance. It has an HEA and a non white interracial couple, heck yeah.


I recommend Fat chance, Charlie Vega for the lead alone. She truly is the MAIN CHARACTER. Living her MC life and i say this with lots of love. I know that many will fall in love with her

Crystal Maldonado's socials

Website | Twitter

Stacking the shelves #3

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Synopses  of first in a series will only be added  to avoid spoilers !

The Strongbow Saga - Judson Roberts

Viking Warrior 

Hardcover, 360 pages
Published June 13th 2006 by HarperCollins Publishers

A young man only at peace when he is at war
Young Halfdan is a slave. He is crafty with a bow and arrow and wise in the ways of the animals, but he can only dream of a warrior's life. That is, until the dark day a Saxon's blows lay his father on his deathbed, and his mother makes a tragic bargain for Halfdan's freedom.
A boy's destiny can come at the most terrible price. Halfdan must suffer a grave loss in order to grasp what he most desires: to train by, to live by, and, if the fates decree it, to die by the force of his sword and the swiftness of his arrow. He is to be a warrior -- a great warrior.
Bloody, furiously paced, heart-wrenching, and unflinching, this is a story of a land where the destinies of boys and men are forged in the heat of battle. Young Halfdan shall come to know the glories of true brotherhood and the unspeakable horrors of true evil. In this first book in a saga teeming with thrilling details of the Viking world, young Halfdan emerges as a new hero . . . a new myth . . . a new legend.

Dragons from the Sea
Hardcover, 346 pages
Published June 12th 2007 by Harper Teen 

The Road to Vengeance
Hardcover, 344 pages
Published June 17th 2008 by Harper Teen

Doctrine of Labyrinths series

Book 1,  Mélusine , hasn't arrived yet. The series  description will substitute.    

Set in the fantasy world of Meduse, it tells the story of the adventures of Felix Harrowgate, a wizard, and his half-brother Mildmay the Fox, a former assassin.

The Virtu
Hardcover, 439 pages
Published June 27th 2006 by Ace Hardcover



The Mirador
Hardcover, 426 pages
Published August 7th 2007 by Ace Hardcover

Corambis

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published April 7th 2009 by Ace

Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening

by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda

Paperback, 192 pages
Published July 19th 2016 by Image Comics

Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900’s Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steampunk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both

Leverage
by Joshua C. Cohen

Hardcover, 425 pages
Published February 17th 2011 by Dutton Books for Young Readers

The football field is a battlefield
There's an extraordinary price for victory at Oregrove High. It is paid on - and off - the football field. And it claims its victims without mercy - including the most innocent bystanders. 
When a violent, steroid-infused, ever-escalating prank war has devastating consequences, an unlikely friendship between a talented but emotionally damaged fullback and a promising gymnast might hold the key to a school's salvation.
Told in alternating voices and with unapologetic truth, Leverage illuminates the fierce loyalty, flawed justice, and hard-won optimism of two young athletes.

 So that's what I got. How has your week been?

PS.  Leverage was the 2nd book I shelved as to be read on Goodreads, in the month May of 2011. My paperback copy has been worn.  A non-reader did not candle it properly.  I haven't read it but it will be read before 2016 is done.  Leverage, The Strong Bow saga And The Doctrine Of Labyrinths are now out of print. I luckily won't a 2nd  store this year that has free international shipping. Shipping and handling to Suriname gets pricey.  It's Betterworldbooks.com btw. They sell old library books from prices ranging from $6 to $13 in most cases.  I've waited 5 years to read the out -of -print- books. I can't freaking wait

BOOK TOUR: Playing By The BOOK by S. Chris. Shirley ( REVIEW)

Title:  Playing By The BOOK
Author::  S. Chris Shirley
Publisher: Magnus Books
Publication Date:  June 11th 2014
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4.5/5

WORDERY // AMAZON

When seventeen-year old high school newspaper editor Jake Powell, fresh from Alabama, lands in New York City to attend Columbia University's prestigious summer journalism program, it's a dream come true. But his father, a fundamentalist Christian preacher, smells trouble. And his father is rarely wrong.
Jake navigates new and unfamiliar ways "up North." Starting with his feelings for a handsome Jewish classmate named Sam. What Jake could keep hidden back home is now pushed to the surface in the Big Apple.
Standing by his side are a gorgeous brunette with a Park Avenue attitude and the designer bags to match, a high school friend who has watched Jake grow up and isn't sure she's ready to let him go, and an outrageously flamboyant aunt whose determined to help Jake finds the courage to accept love and avoid the pain that she has experienced. 
Provocative and moving, Playing by The Book is a feel-good novel about the pain and joy we encounter in the search for our own truth

My thoughts

‘’I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me”” excerpt 2nd cor. 12: 7-10

As the saying goes , “’every family has its cross to bear’’. As does the Powell family. One of the crosses looms above Jake Powell. The pk; preacher kid. He has a drive for Journalism but his career choice is already determined, to be a preacher. Playing by the book is about Jake accepting himself and personal growth. At least he does IMO.

Religion and to be precise, the Christian faith is of importance in this book. I did not find it preachy but you may. So be wary of that. I grew up in a Christian household and I now when it gets preachy. I hate the bigoted way that my family members/former church goers are of opinion that homosexuality is a ‘sin’ or a ‘choice’. If you’re a BIGOT stay away from it.

THINGS WORTH MENTIONING:

(+) It gave me a peek at how living at a dorm maybe. I’ll be going to the university this fall and will not be staying at a dorm because there aren’t any. * exited but also scared to go to uni* #HistoryDepartment

(+) It is nice to see the pov of a gay Christian. This is an oxymoron to some. I’m all for people that want to be closer to God. But ‘’curing’’ gayness is a criminal act to your true self. And I’m happy that Mr. Shirley did not chastise Jake. A life without romantic love or any love for that matter is a sad and lonely one. Can’t people not see that gay love is not ,just about sex and lust.

(+) Jake’s story felt realistic. Jake could be a real person whereas the characters from girlfriends with boyfriends by Alex sanches were not. Sanches’ characters were bare bones if you would ask me. Playing by the book has a more flamboyant male that is only seen once or twice. I’m bringing this up because even though we know little of the more flamboyant character, he’s did not feel like the token flamboyant guy.

(-) Mr. Shirley stop using Brah. I glossed over the dialogue or used bro in its place every time Sam Horowitz, love interest used it. JEEZ

(+/-) It was tough for me to read about the self-hate (of which I have to a degree and gladly has lessened), suicidal thoughts and suicide attempt ( I’m thankful never happened) and coming out process I really had to put down the e-reader/phone at times because it got to emotional.

(+/-) I feel like sam was less developed than Jake and wished it was not so. But besides that a good loveable character none the less.

In conclusion I truly love this book and fell in love with the characters. I hope that if people read that they will feel the same. And that my furure coming out will not be a train wreck. It is unlikely. Top reason; the bigotry in the church and my peeps being part of the church

August 5^th – The Rainbow Tree – Spotlight

August 7^th – Cabin Goddess – Guest Post

August 7^th – Unconventional Librarian – Guest Post

August 8^th – Reads All The Books – Review

August 8^th – Patrice Rhoads - Real Deal – Review

August 11^th – Book Escape – Guest Post

August 12^th – Fangirlish – Review/GP

August 13^th – Like a Bump on a Blog – Review

August 14^th – Breaking that Kindle Budget Book Blog – Review

August 15^th – Laurie Lee – Review

– Roro is Reading- Review

August 16^th – Opinionated Person – Promo post/Teasers

August 19^th – Bookish Deb – Review 

Review : THE RIVERMAN BY AARON STARMER

Title : The Riverman
Author : Aaron Starmer
Publisher : Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication Date :  March 18th 2014
Source : Netgalley
Rating :  4.5 /5

AMAZON | BOOKDEPOSITORY

"To sell a book, you need a description on the back. So here's mine: My name is Fiona Loomis. I was born on August 11, 1977. I am recording this message on the morning of October 13, 1989. Today I am thirteen years old. Not a day older. Not a day younger."

Fiona Loomis is Alice, back from Wonderland. She is Lucy, returned from Narnia. She is Coraline, home from the Other World. She is the girl we read about in storybooks, but here's the difference: She is real.

Twelve-year-old Alistair Cleary is her neighbor in a town where everyone knows each other. One afternoon, Fiona shows up at Alistair's doorstep with a strange proposition. She wants him to write her biography. What begins as an odd vanity project gradually turns into a frightening glimpse into a clearly troubled mind. For Fiona tells Alistair a secret. In her basement there's a gateway and it leads to the magical world of Aquavania, the place where stories are born. In Aquavania, there's a creature called the Riverman and he's stealing the souls of children. Fiona's soul could be next.

Alistair has a choice. He can believe her, or he can believe something else...something even more terrifying.





My thoughts

We've all used our imaginations during our childhood ,current children still do and future ones will do the same. As we grow older were confronted with reality and the fantasies , forts build out of pillows and blankets and playing with stuffed animals stops and fades away. Of course authors never lose this marvelous thing. Though some are better then others . The riverman is a tale of the girl who imagined, the boy who wants to believe - beliefs and at the same still remains sceptic and that mysterious evil that steals all .Both real and imaginative .

You should not judge a book by its cover but I do anyway , from time to time and requested The riverman on NG for that sole reason .So glad I got approved. The riverman is about Fiona loomis and Alistair Cleary who were once close friends when they were younger . But now at the age of 12 in 1989 , they have drifted apart like some friends do when growing up. On a particular day in October Fiona needs his help to save Aquavania and stop the Riverman. Ooh , how I like Alistair . In A very skeptic way Alistair listens to her and tries to play along and helps her . He tries to figure it out but can't figure it out if it's real or not and starts to believe , still a skeptic thought remains. The story of Fiona loomis in Aquavania is written anecdotally and in the 3rd person. In this way it does not feel like there was any info dumping and it could be seen as the detachment from Alistair from what Fiona tells him.

Characters

The main characters are Fiona , Alistair and Charlie , who's Alistair best friend. I will mention my thoughts of them briefly.

Alistair is the one I could so relate with. He feels like an outsider and is friend with Charlie not because Charlie is that good of a friend but because it is convenient and Alistair is scared that he will lose that only friend if he demands Charlie to be better friend . When they hang around they only do what interests Charlie and that is playing video games. Alistair has certain maturity to him but you can still see he is still a child. I loved his eye for detail and observation. Also he's a kind kid that gets in though situations in this book but still keeps his head in the mid of it.

I've had some difficulty with Charlie. He's the resident cat lady or rather cat boy and gets bullied because of it but he does not give a kaka about that. I've had sympathy for him but along the way my liking for him changes. A mix between hatred , confusion and sympathy after the things he did and a accident that happened to him . He will be an interesting character to watch in the other two books of this trilogy.

And finally Fiona . She is very mysterious and once you think you know her , she does something unexpected . And this puzzling ambiance of her makes Alistair fall in love with her but at a steady pace. You don't really get to know Fiona at all but only see glimpses of her and this quote explains her perfectly .

She left reminders of herself, but she didn't leave herself, and I was sick of it.

I hope we get to know more of her in future books .

Ok , I was never really scared of the big kahuna . The riverman only appears at the last 30 pages but the tension is creepy and unnerving. I don't know a lot about him but I put him the same class of that of count Olaf.

The setting

Yes we get to know about Aquavania , it is fantastical and anything you can dream of can happen it but what drew me in the first place starting from page one is the town of Thessaly. I've always loved the small town feeling in books maybe because of the reason that Paramaribo , Suriname has that same atmosphere. Thessaly has that close knit community and even has a Christmas tree with lights that represent every Thessaly originated battle perished soldier. That's really cool is you ask me. This is middle grade book but an amount of darkness is present. There are mentions of sex, trailer parks, drugs , vandalism and even an scene were someone tells about murder that was committed. This book is not for the smaller of the smalls but more for upper middle grade and even an upper YAer or Adult can read it .

A younger person will enjoy the marveling Aquavania and an Adult has an coming of age book to come too. This book tells you about death in some way or an other , that living in a fantasy world or using your imagination is fine and dandy but that you should break from that and be in the present as well. I can't wait for the sequels and hoping to get ahold of Mr starmer previous books. I hope you will enjoy this mysterious , magical , grounded and smart middle grade book that people from different ages will get something out of. I will not easily forget about

Review: Pivot point by Kasie West

Pivot Point
By Kasie West
Published by Harperteen
Publication Date:  February 12th 2013
Source: Won
Rating: 4.5/5

AMAZON / BOOKDEPO / GOODREADS

Synopsis: Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .
Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

My thoughts

Expectations: Although there was great excitement for this title months before the release date I still wasn’t that intrigued to read it. The reviews that started to pop up hinted of 2 guys and one girl and I’m sick of most love triangles. That disgust is in fact the main reason why I did not want to read it. WHY did I act so freakin’ stupid?

Cover : It is an interesting cover were the same girl stares at her reflection as if it were a mirror. And if you can say it’s similar to a mirror the shimmering particles could represent glass of a just recently shaken up life, both possible lives. Maybe I’m over thinking but when I read the synopsis that’s what comes to mind when I see the cover.

Book: There have been titles in adult and young adult fiction, in which paranormal beings are presented, that are able to do amazing mental feats for example telekinesis and seeing the future. I liked how Miss West tweaked it to where it became a secluded society were people’s mind excelled the rest of humanity or in their term Norms. The powers are more scientifically explained than just let’s give them powers without a reason how they got them. Some books do that very same thing ‘the not explaining’. The not explaining is a pet peeve of mine. Addie Coleman can see in the future but not the way that is often perceived as cliché. She can see her own future and no one else’s and only when she wants the see the cause of actions she could take. The process of seeing it called the Search. So it is like being at a crossroad and seeing both paths of your life from that point on. Her parents announce they are getting a divorce and she must pick a parent to live with. In both possible future lives she will encounter love and loss, Addie must decide which one it will be.

Kasie West writes in a way you want to read everything she writes even her grocery store list. I meant that jokingly. Her writing is not super prosy or poetic but it lures you in. I don’t know how to explain it but it just fun to read. For me at least I loved how multiple moments in each possible life connected each other but from different vantage points. For example were Addie meets someone who is in fact very important in the novel and in each possible life, she learns his secret and further in the story she discovers the same secret in a different way altogether in another possible life. When the intense parts come around you begin to beg that nothing horrible happens to some of the characters you’ve come to love. In the end you feel some empathy to a person that manipulated her emotions to that particular person. And also saddened that the relationship with another person in, I have come to love, will be different than the one in the search. Secondly what I found unique is how Miss West at the start of every chapter gave it a title. Naming a chapter is often done but the title is a vocabulary explanation from a dictionary.

The characters are very enjoyable in this novel. I will only mention a few that cannot make me verge over the edge of Spoilerlandia.
Addie Coleman is the girl that’s always meticulous. For example she copies her study material from the school computer in case of a power outage which has not happened in 20 or more years in the compound. She is very kind but wants to remain in the background. A cool gal to gang around with.but she is very loud and exact opposite of Addie. How they became friends cute. I read somewhere that in the sequel there will be chapters from her point of view.



There are parents present in Pivot point. They appear often and I’m glad that they aren’t parents that are just characters for plot purposes. Addie’s parents are good people and parents who are noticeable in the novel. It is sad that they have problems but relationship problems happen in real life and gives it a more realistic touch.

There is a kind of a love triangle. But how is handled is to be admired. There is a romantic interest in each possible life and remember the opposite boys don’t know of each other because nothing in the search has happened yet. In each life the romance is at the beginning stage. It is attraction and liking each other but not actual love yet. Also in both cases Addie does not fall head over heal it is a slow going process that could have been real and only one of those romance will be real. At the end of the novel you find out what path she picks and the loss with it. The end has influences the romance that existed and the one that did not

I’m happy I entered the giveaway at Cuddlebuggery.com and that I won. Otherwise it could be a possibility that I would never want to read it. I wonder what will cause the Search in the sequel. Pivot point is a book where a teenage girl must pick a path at the middle of a crossroad. The choices we make in the past define us in the future.

Review: Suicide Watch by Kelley York

Suicide Watch
By Kelley York
Independently Published
Date of Publication: December 20th 2012
Source: Review copy
Rating: 3.8/5

AMAZON / GOODREADS

Synopis: 18-year-old Vincent Hazelwood has spent his entire life being shuffled from one foster home to the next. His grades sucked. Making friends? Out of the question thanks to his nervous breakdowns and unpredictable moods. Still, Vince thought when Maggie Atkins took him in, he might’ve finally found a place to get his life—and his issues—in order.
But then Maggie keels over from a heart attack. Vince is homeless, alone, and the inheritance money isn't going to last long. A year ago, Vince watched a girl leap to her death off a bridge, and now he's starting to think she had the right idea.
Vince stumbles across a website forum geared toward people considering suicide. There, he meets others with the same debate regarding the pros and cons of death: Casper, battling cancer, would rather off herself than slowly waste away. And there’s quiet, withdrawn Adam, who suspects if he died, his mom wouldn't even notice.
As they gravitate toward each other, Vince searches for a reason to live while coping without Maggie's guidance, coming to terms with Casper's imminent death, and falling in love with a boy who doesn't plan on sticking around

My thoughts

Expectations Her contemporary debut is one of my favorite books. Hushed was emotional, gritty and dark at times. From what I have read coming from her first book is that I can point out that there is a non-stereotypical lgbt main character present. And I’m expecting the same thing from Suicide Watch. A site tailored for possible suicide attempts is freaky.

Cover: The cover is very depressing but heck it’s a very depressing one at moments. The model is supposed to be Vincent. I like his curly hair (the goofiest grin). Hushed has a better cover than SW but for an indie published book it is still good

Book: Welcome to Suicide Watch. This site is not for the faint of heart. Only the serious need apply. Please think carefully prior to filling out the registration form and submitting.

The novel starts when a teen girl dressed in a plaid jacket and jeans jumps from Woodshire Bridge and he could do nothing to save her. That was last Christmas and its June at the moment. Vincent Hazelwood has just graduated from High school and tragedy strikes. He loses a ‘family relative’’ or the closest to family he has. His foster mother and Vincent needs to live on his own. All of this resulted in finding the site. On SW he meets Casper and Adam, all longing to end their live on earth for different reasons. They form a bond, a friendship centering on death. Grief, loyalty and love are encountered throughout SW.

The writing in Suicide Watch is bit different than in Hushed. The complete story takes place in 5 months time. It is from June to December. Only specific moments or days in Vinny’s life during those months are mentioned. Instant messages on SW and emails between the characters are added in the chapters. It is always nice to see current forms of communication in books. I wished that some parts and the relationships were fleshed out more. I could connect with Vincent but not that much with Casper and the romantic interest, Adam.

Now to write what my thoughts are about the characters and the romance. The main character is Vincent Hazelwood. He is mad at the world and thinks it is unfair what fate has done to him. Not that he will ever say it. He is very pessimistic or you could say a realist. You get to see how he feels and you get to know him little by little on this journey with him. The journey to being an adult even if the time span is on the short side. The reason why I was so connected with is that I’m also often mad at the world. Tragedies are everyday occurrences and are reported on the news, manmade or caused by nature. It hurts seeing or knowing that innocent people die. A part of that anger also stems from not being accepted by accepted because of your sexuality and being out ( I’m currently out but only to a few and sadly only a few of that bunch are accepting ) But the silver lining is that I have not been suicidal at all and other people have it far worse.

Casper is the best friend he meets on the deprave site. She has a sunny personality despite her dying slowly. She wants to commit the act in order of sparing her parents grief seeing her dying in front of their eyes. He and Casper form a strong bound that is believable.

Adam Rockswell is the romantic interest and the one I have connected the least with. It sometimes occurs that I have no strong connection to the love interest. They are just there to fall in love with the protagonist. I feel that is not the case with Adam. He is a kind, shy and not that outspoken young man. Character traits I also have but to a lesser extent. Except being kind, I am a very kind person. He was not just for falling in love with but needed for the novel. It is sad that I feel that I got to know him from afar.



There are adults presented but not in the forefront. Maybe because it could be categorized as New Adult (I’m still not a fan of the name).

The romance is where I had the most problems with. You get to feel that they like each other and are attracted to each other but they fell to fast. Maybe how it is written but it did not feel that believable whereas in Hushed although it was also a bit quick I loved the love between Calder and his dude. The romance needed some fleshing out it does not mean I didn’t like the lovey dovy scenes.

Vincent learns that life is hard but living with people you love and admire makes it so much better. And that relationships in life need to be cherished. If you want to read a story about the reason of suicide and what teenagers struggle with give Suicide watch a try. It does not glorify suicide and maybe it could save some one from committing the act It is not perfection but still a solid read.

Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
Published by MTV Books and Pocket Books
Date published : February 1st 1999
Source: won
Rating : 4.3/5

AMAZON// BOOKDEPO

Synopsis:standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective…but there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. since its publication, stephen chbosky’s haunting debut novel has received critical acclaim, provoked discussion and debate, grown into a cult phenomenon with over a million copies in print, and inspired a major motion picture.


The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story about what it’s like to travel that strange course through the uncharted territory of high school. the world of first dates, family dramas, and new friends. of sex, drugs, and the rocky horror picture show. of those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up

My thoughts:

Cover: the ‘’boring’’ cover makes it stand out in a sea of girls in pretty dresses. I’d rather have this . that’s just me

Book: A 15 year old kid will start his first year of high school . And is very nervous . He writes letters to an anonymous person. Charlie is socially akward. A loner and meets two wonderful people he befriends Sam and Patrick. A heck of a lot happens to summarize it .

I’ve read reviews and I believe some people will get bored reading it . Charlie s not a buccaneering pirate but a kind ‘’boring’’ 15 year old. Admit it our lives are not that interesting. I loved TPOBAW because it is filled with human emotions. There are a lot social issues. My only complaint is that there too much to fully develop in 200 pages. I could not fully connect with the side characters , mostly with the trio.
I can’t wait for the the movie

Interview w/ Robin Stevenson, author of Hummingbird Heart

About this author
Robin Stevenson is a Canadian author of thirteen novels for teens and children. She grew up in Ontario and now lives in Victoria, BC, with her partner and son.Visit her on robinstevenson.com  or stalk her on twitter @@robin_stevenson

Now for the interview




What inspired you to write in general and hummingbird heart?

I have always been a book lover and insatiable reader. Becoming a writer
was just one more way to indulge my passion for the written word.

Hummingbird Heart began in an odd way, with some disconnected pieces
writing inspired by memories from my own teen years. Those pieces of
writing are not part of the finished book though-- and in fact, this novel
changed so much during the writing and revison process, that it bears
little resemblance to its beginnings.

You have written and published a couple of books , does publishing a other
book feel different than an debut book?

Hummingbird Heart is actually my 13th book, and my 5th YA novel. My other
books are a mixture of middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and short
hi-lo novels.

My debut novel was a teen novel called Out of Order, published in 2007--
five years ago now. I think the first book is intensely exciting in a
different way, because everything is new and you don't know what to
expect. For me, it was hard to believe that it was actually happening. Me,
published?!!!

I still find it exciting to have a new book out though. Seeing the cover
for the first time is always a thrill, and I love catching sight of my
latest book on the shelves of a bookstore. It always amazes me that
something that began its life as nothing but ideas and scrawly notes can
end up there!

Who is[are] the artist[s] i 'm fanboying here! Lol?

The cover art for Hummingbird Heart is gorgeous, isn't it? I love it too.
It was done by a Toronto artist called Janice Kun
(http://www.coroflot.com/janicekun to see more of her fabulous art).
Janice Kun also did the cover art for my 2008 novel, a Thousand Shades of
Blue-- that novel was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary
Awards and I have always suspected that the beautiful cover was at least
part of the reason for the novel's success! I asked my publisher, Orca, if
they would consider asking her to do the cover artwork for Hummingbird
Heart as well, and I was thrilled that they agreed! And of course, Orca's
art director, Theresa Bubela, came up with the awesome cover design.

Can you tell in a non spoilerish way what hummingbird heart is about?

Humminbird Heart is the story of a 16year old girl named Dylan. Dylan has
never met her father and knows little about him.  Her mother, who was
still a teen herself when Dylan was born, doesn't like to talk about the
past. Her father, Mark, has never responded to her attempts to contact
him. As far as Dylan is concerned, her family is made up of her mother,
Amanda; her recently adopted younger sister, Karma; and maybe even her
best friend, Toni.

And then, out of the blue, Mark shows up in town and wants to meet her.
Amanda is clearly upset, but Dylan can't help being excited at the
possibility of finally getting to know her father. But when she finds out
why he has come—and what he wants from her—the answers fill her with still
more questions. What makes someone family? And why has her mother been
lying to her all these years?

It's about trust and about forgiveness; and about how fragile life is and
how precious our relationships are. And also it's about growing up and
trying to make sense of family, friends, and the world around us.


What was your favorite scene[s] to write in  humming bird heart?

I don't think I have one favorite scene, but I loved writing about Dylan's
younger (and recently adopted) sister, Karma. She's just an awesome kid.

What got you in to reading , at what age and what kind of books did you
like reading as a child?

I was a bookworm as child-- perhaps because I was shy, or because we moved
a lot, or possibly just because I grew up surrounded by books and readers.
I started reading very early and books were a hugely significant part of
my childhood. Just about every family photo shows me with my nose buried
in a book. I was born in England and many of my early favorites were
old-fashioned and very dated boarding school stories, adventure
stories,and horse stories. When we moved to Canada, I was eight years old
and fell in love with L.M. Montgomery's novels, especially Anne of Green
Gables and Emily of New Moon. Later on I got into the sci-fi and fantasy
on my parents' bookshelves, and gobbled up books by Aldous Huxley, George
Orwell, John Wyndham, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradury and many others.

Do you have a set routine when you are writing?

I have a seven year old son who is a home learner-- we unschool, which
basically means we follow our interests rather than following a
curriculum. We both love it and I have no plans to send him to school...
but it does mean that a set routine is pretty much out for the time being!
I write when I can-- which is usually when my son is asleep; or when he's
hanging out with his grandmother, my partner, or his friends.

Are you a plotter or just write what the characters feel like to saying?

Totally not a plotter! Though I frequently wish I was...

Have you any other books in the making at the moment?

I am curently working on the edits for a juvenile novel scheduled to be
published in the spring of 1963. The working title is The Record Breaker,
but that may well change. I'm also a few chapters into first drafts of two
other novels, one for teens and one for adults, but both of those are a
very long way from completion. A verrrryyyy long way. Sigh.

What are you currently reading, have finished or on your wish list?

Wow, good question. I just read a fabulous middle-grade novel with my son:
Raider's Ransom (and the sequel, Flood and Fire) by Emily Diamand. I also
just finished Moonwalking With Einstein, by Joshua Foer-- it is about
memory, and is both hilarious and fascinating. And last night I started
reading Phillip Reeve's Fever Crumb. If the first couple of chapters are
anything to go by, I think is going to be a great read.

Any song[s] that fit perfectly with  hummingbird heart scenes /characters
or the book itself?

That's an interesting question... I hadn't thought about that before! I
don't listen to music when I write (too easily distracted) so I'm not one
of those writers with a playlist for each book. It'd have to be a female
vocalist with a beautiful voice though, and maybe a slightly nostalgic
feel. I'm open to suggestions!

Why should we read humming bird heart?

Well, to be honest, probably not everyone should! If you're looking for
vampire romance, Hummingbird Heart isn't going to be your new favorite.
But if you enjoy contemporary fiction, appreciate realistic and complex
characters, like novels that explore relationships, and have ever felt
like you don't quite know where you fit in the world... then Hummingbird
Heart was writen for you

The book 

Sixteen-year-old Dylan has never met her father. She knows that her parents were just teenagers themselves when she was born, but her mother doesn't like to talk about the past, and her father, Mark, has never responded to Dylan's attempts to contact him. As far as Dylan is concerned, her family is made up of her mother, Amanda; her recently adopted younger sister, Karma; and maybe even her best friend, Toni. And then, out of the blue, a phone call: Mark will be in town for a few days and he wants to meet her. Amanda is clearly upset, but Dylan can't help being excited at the possibility of finally getting to know her father. But when she finds out why he has come--and what he wants from her--the answers fill her with still more questions. What makes someone family? And why has her mother been lying to her all these years?

Review:Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Pieces of Us [add to Goodreads]
by Margie Gelbwasser
Published by Flux
Date publication :March 8th 2012[tomorrow eep]
Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis:Two families. Four teens. A summer full of secrets. 

Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives. 
Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it. 
Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.

My thoughts

Cover: The blue sky, the green field , the swing set in motion on a summer day got my attention like that when i first say it last year on a IMM of christi at the story siren.That scene has a huge and important part in this great and touching YA.

Book When i first say it on netgalley i flipped out[ok that’s overdoing it a bit,i was really exited] i requested.Crossing my fingers and toes. BUT i got declined,I requested it again and got declined for the second time.I finally got aprroved.Thank you Flux. I though"need to read this soon".My contanious effort was not for nought.


Before i start this review, this is dark.I was prepared for it but got schocked still.It was meant to be schoking

These teens are f*cked up.I can’t believe the parents did not see their kids were hurting inside.But he that reality .A lot of parents are to buzzy to see or sence whats happening.I have to ad there were great parental figures. The grandpa and ma’s.

Some parts of the synopsis are abit misleading. A summer full of secrets. The story takes place over two years and not one summer.Some people might find the pacing a bit dragging.But in mine opinion it was needed to tell the story

The writing was nice to read and flowed smoothly. In four different pov’s that of Katie,Alex,Julie and Kyle’s.I have not read a other book that's written in 2nd person that i can remember.I loved.Love different pov but their chapters were a bit short at times. That only irked me. Non the less i could connect with them all. I would glad to jump through the pages to comfurt them. Probably there reaction could be’’wtf , who are you’’ lol

All four teens had 360 turn around[for the better or worst] in my opinion and character growth.The katie,julie,kyle and alex i first met were different at the end.katie was a bitch and alex a @shole.But i got to care for them.A huge plus.Kyle and Julie doubted themselves a lot but that changed[i gotta try to doubt myself]I felt connected to Kyle a lot and saw a couple of things of me in him[YA SAVES].I can say the secret that’s come to light liffted and helped with a lot of hurt and pain.And eventually a more grounded love for all of them to each other and close people around them

If you love dark topics , no let me rephrase that like reading about dark topics in contemporary YA.This not a light read.Kinda dark is an understamend.I recently read that book banners are trying to ban it of its language and real heart braking stuff teens encounter.Give it a try.I can't wait to read miss Gelbwasser other book, inconvenient.

thanks to Flux for approving my request of Pieces of Us

this was part of the 2012 contemp challenge hosted by katiesbookblog.com

virtual hangouts 
goodreads 
twitter

website 

To order
Amazon
Barnes & Noble 
Bookdepository [int free shipping]

Review:New GirL by Paige Harbison

New girl
by Paige Harbinson

Published by Harlequin teen

Date publication  January 31st 2012 by HarlequinTeen 

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:They call me 'New Girl'... 
Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her. 
Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault. 
Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be. 
And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

My thoughts

Cover: Defenitely a cover-love of mine. Love underwater covers. I think it depicts a scene from the book. A disaster, a mystery will come to light.

Book: Honestly I only requested in on netgalley because of the cover[^_^]. Read my first Harlequin teen title not long ago so when not give this a shot. Totally worth my 8 hours reading this, in one setting.

A new girl is accepted to a Ivy league boarding school, Manderly.Arrives there and immediately all most of her peers dislike." She's trying to replace'' Rebecca, who went missing the summer before.What happened to her? Will she come back? a mystery! Denial, Vengeance,Lust,Hatred

This is an retelling of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.I've heard of it but have not read it. So i can't say which one is better, the retelling or the original.

This story takes place at the start of a new school year, senior year, high school.

The storytelling was fantastic.Told in two perspectives,Rebecca, missing,and the main character that remains nameless till the end.Yes she is mentioned as 'New Girl'.The past and 3th person pov of Rebecca's chapters and the present and 1st person pov of New Girl is beautifully interwoven

The focus of this retelling are the moments and experiences throughout the school year at Manderly from the past[Rebecca] and a year later, the present; New Girl's experiences.

Rebecca was manipulative, conifing and the puppeteer of her surroundings and 'friends'.You 'll love despising her. I almost felt pity towards her at the end.Almost

Other outstanding characters
Max
Jonathan
the art professor
The academy

New girl the complete opposite.Caring and kind.Only thing i disliked that she she let people push her around. But she gets a backbone atthe very end.

There was scandal.[Scandalous]cheating,hatred,betrayed, humiliation.but true friendship around New Girl.Manipulated amor. The real thing with New Girl. Dude, Dude the ending lines, the revealed mystery was THA BOMB If you're into mysteries,standalones give it a try. A paranormal rut remedy

Thanks to netgalley and to Harlequin teen approving request


a song that fits perfectly with this book and does generate a atmosphere. 


The Title explains it all




virtual hangouts 
goodreads
website
twitter
facebook

To order
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Bookdepository [int free shipping]$7.49

Save $2.5025% offRRP $9.99

this is counted 4 this challenge