Review: This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. 

Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

____________________________________

I'm in awe of Courtney Summers. I've come to the conclusion that she can't write anything I won't end up in love with. 


I'm completely freaked out my zombies in realistic settings - because I seriously believe that the zombie apocalypse will happen someday and I am so, so screwed - but I couldn't pass up a book by Summers. Honestly, I've become dependent on the fact that she releases a new novel every year, and I couldn't not read This Is Not a Test just because zombies and gore make me a bit nauseous. And, though I can't say that any of Summers' novels are particularly happy, I find them oddly comforting. These are the novels that people refer to when they say reading makes them feel understood and less alone.


The best thing about This Is Not a Test is that yes, it's a zombie book, but it is so much more than that. For me, it was everything I loved about Summers' past novels, including the intense emotion, flawed characters, and desperate situations PLUS zombies. I mean, Summers' novels always crackle with intensity, so much so that I didn't believe she could turn it any higher, but she definitely proved me wrong.


I've yet to stop myself from falling in love with all of characters in Summers' books. It's a bit ridiculous really. I've even gone so far as to name pets after them. (Okay, one pet. My cat, Milo, is named after a character from Fall for Anything.) Like Summers' past novels, the characters in This Is Not a Test each have a distinct personality. I always feel that I truly understand what motivates each character's actions and emotions, whether they're the main character or small, seemingly unimportant character.


I can't stress enough how much I adore each and every novel Summers' has written and, though This Is Not a Test is in some ways a departure from her previous novels, it is, at it's core, what readers have come to expect from  her. Plus zombies. And while this book may sound horribly bleak, I've come to find that Summers' always leaves her characters, and her readers, with a shimmering ray of hope. Even during the zombie apocalypse.

St. Martin's Griffin, June 2012, Hardcover, ISBN: 9780312656744, 320 pages.

Review: Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Title: Fall for Anything
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub. Date: December 2010
Genre: Contemporary YA
Keywords: Grief, Suicide, Love, Lies, Secrets
Pages: 240
Description (from arc):
When Eddie Reeves's father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why. Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, former student of her father's and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. He seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie's vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on... but some questions should be left unanswered.

Courtney Summers is the Queen of Mean; she holds hold court over characters that readers love to hate... and just plain love. Readers are well aware that Summers can write a compelling mean girl, but, with FALL FOR ANYTHING, she shows us that she can write vulnerable and broken with just as much skill.

I quickly realized that Eddie wasn't anything like Summers' previous two main characters, Parker and Regina. Eddie has never dated the most popular guy in school, she doesn't bully, and, most notably, she doesn't  hide her pain and vulnerability behind a mean exterior. She's had one best friend, Milo, for years, and, except for the occasional girlfriend, it's them against the world. That is, until her father commits suicide, Milo refuses to talk about what happened that fateful night, and Eddie meets Culler Evans.

Eddie's quest to find the reason for father's sudden death is painfully sad and incredibly moving. The novel begins "My hands are dying" and this line stayed with me throughout the novel. Since the night her father died, of which she only has a hazy, incomplete memory, Eddie does not feel alive. She constantly analyzes her father's actions, his words, his life, looking for the reason behind his departure. And when Culler Evans, her father's student whom she's never met, reaches out to her, she holds on for dear life because he's the only person who makes her feels alive. For the first time, something and someone has come between Eddie and Milo, despite the fact that Eddie might need Milo now more than ever.


I'll openly admit that I love everything I've read by Summers, so maybe my opinion regarding this novel is biased... or maybe, my love for her previous novels, CRACKED UP TO BE and SOME GIRLS ARE, and newfound adoration for FALL FOR ANYTHING, offers proof of just how wonderful her stories and characters are and will convince you to pick up these titles for your own collection.

Stolen {Book} Meme

This meme keeps popping up in my dashboard and each time I can't help but think about which books I'd choose for each category, so I might as well steal it. You should steal it to. All the cool kids are doing it: Anna Jarzab, Courtney Summers, Mindi Scott.

5 Books I’ve Read Recently

1. Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
2. The Ivy by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur
3. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
4. Small-Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
5. Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart

 5 Books I’m Planning to Read (in the near future)

1. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
2. Losing Faith by Denise Jaden
3. Dark Song by Gail Giles
4. The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
5. Hunger by Jackie Kessler

5 of My Favorite Books

1. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
2. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
3. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
4. The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride
5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

 5 of My Least Favorite Books

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (I know, I know! I read it in 9th gr and should probably reread it!)
2. Thief Eyes by Janni Lee Simner (I just couldn't get into this one.)
3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Ugh.)
4. The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones (I tried to like it!)
5. Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis (Ditto!)

 5 of My Favorite Book-to-Film Adaptations

1. Pride and Prejudice (Both! I love Colin Firth and Keira Knightly, so I can't choose!)
2. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
3. Whip It! (Originally titled DERBY GIRL.)
4. Atonement
5. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

{Book Trailer} Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

I know I've been mentioning FALL FOR ANYTHING, Courtney Summers' upcoming December release, way too much lately, but oh.em.gee. guys. Have you seen the book trailer? What? You haven't? Watch it now. Seriously.





 

Ahhhhhh! I have no words to express just how excited I am about this novel. Courtney, you are beyond awesome.

Cover of the Week (21)

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
St. Martin's Press/12.21.2010
Description (from GoodReads):
When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. He seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on… but some questions should be left unanswered.

Ohmygoodness! I've loved each and every one of Courtney's covers, but this one... WOW. Just 3 more months!

Waiting on Wednesday (38)

WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

**The above image is a placeholder... no cover yet!**

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
St. Martin's Griffin/12.21.10
Description (from GoodReads):
When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. He seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on… but some questions should be left unanswered.

I like WoW picks that have cover images (hey, they're shiny and eyecatching!), but I just couldn't wait until FALL FOR ANYTHING to be cover-ized. After weeks of checking the GoodReads page (and Courtney's website) with no luck, I decided to give in and feature it for WoW... because I am so waiting on Summers' upcoming release. Even before the description was released I was daydreaming about it... I have no doubts that I'll love this book. None.
Summers' books have all been released in December/January, which is great because they make fabulous holiday (and birthday *cough*December 16th*cough*) gifts.

Interview: Courtney Summers (Author of Some Girls Are)

Fellow hiders, I'm so excited to share an interview with the extremely talented Courtney Summers, in which her new novel, Some Girls Are, exploding, and Lady Gaga are all discussed. I urge you: Go read Some Girls Are! Even if you don't love it, you'll appreciate it. But there's a good chance you're going to love it... :D

A Brief Biography (from Courtney's Website):
Courtney Summers lives and writes in Canada where she divides her time between a piano, a camera, and word-processing program when she’s not planning for the impending zombie apocalypse. She enjoys Archie comics, Trailer Park Boys, and other fine art. Pierre Trudeau is her hero and if you are a volcano, she would like to know you.

The Interview:
Give a short description of SOME GIRLS ARE, in your own words – a description that will lure in all those who are on the fence about reading SGA!

YOU WILL EXPLODE IF YOU DO NOT READ THIS BOOK ABOUT MEAN GIRLS.
I am terrible at these types of questions as you can see, but I feel I have met all of your requirements like so: it's short, I have described it ("book about mean girls") and I would like to believe I have enticed those who are sitting on the fence ("you will explode if you do not read [it]") because who wants to explode?

I found SGA almost painful to read, all the while being unable to put it down. Was it difficult to write from Regina’s point of view?
In hindsight, it was. Some Girls Are was a hard book to write for a few reasons (there was a death in my family when I drafted it), but I didn't realize just how difficult it was to write from Regina's point of view until I was well and truly finished the thing. When it was handed in and my editor had approved it, I felt totally wrung-out and tired. Too much time spent with mean girls!

While writing SGA, what was your intended message for readers?
My intention, when I write any book, is to be as honest and true to the characters and their story as I can be, which in turn (I think) is being true to and honest with the reader. Beyond that, what message the reader takes from any of my books is up to them. I think it's more fun that way.

Did you do any research while writing SGA? If yes, please explain.
When I thought the ending was going to be different, I did research some legal stuff, but I can't tell you what it is because it would manage to be a little bit of a spoiler. It was nothing too exhaustive, though.

How was the title decided?
Some Girls Are alludes to a line in the book. I took the line and asked my agent what she thought of the title SOME GIRLS ARE JUST. And then my agent came back and said, "How about just SOME GIRLS ARE?" Thank goodness for her because it sounds way better that way.

What was the most difficult aspect of writing SGA?
Writing is generally difficult for me, as much as I love it. I think one of the most difficult aspects of writing Some Girls Are (minus the intensive but very necessary revision with my amazing editor) was writing toward pages 134-137. That chapter really bothered me when I got to it. I can't give away any spoilers, but it's the turning point in the book and it's pretty dark.

Are you able to pick either Parker or Regina as your favorite lead character?
My favorite lead character is always the one I'm currently writing. :) But if I had to choose between Parker and Regina--I couldn't! I like them both for different reasons. I like Parker's meanness and her smart mouth. I liked exploring Regina's willingness to fight back and her anger. Parker will always have a special place in my heart because she was the protagonist of my debut novel.

Did you always want to be a novelist?
I always wanted to tell stories, and I spent a lot of time trying to find the medium that would best enable me to do that (I acted, I tried photography, I played the piano). It wasn't until I was eighteen that I realized writing novels was the medium that fit me best, and the one I loved the most.

What jobs did you have on your way to being a writer? Did they help you in any way as a writer?
I've never had a job that tied directly into my want to be a writer. I've worked for my parents' lapidary business growing up. I've been vice president of the local theatre guild. Now I clean--and actually, my cleaning job does help me a lot as a writer. The hours are great, really flexible, so I have time to write and it gives me time to think about what I'm writing. I look at it as a means to an end.

When and where do you usually write?
I write all night, up in my room. By candlelight. Okay, that last part is not so much the truth.

Is there something that is a must have for you to be able to write?
As long as I've got my headphones and water, coffee or coke--I'm good.

What author or book most influenced you as a writer or in general?
Robert Cormier. His work reminds me not to hold back, ever, for anyone else's sake.

Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel(s)?
I don't like to give too much away about my works-in-progress, but I feel like the YA novel I'm working on now is one of the darker ones that I'll have written. But I say that and I'm not done it yet--it could be all rainbows and sunshine by the time I'm finished. And that's why I try not to give too much away about what I'm working on. :)

The Hiding Spot is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Is there a place, activity, or person that is your hiding spot?
Writing.

I’ve noticed that you have a slight preoccupation with Lady Gaga, which can be proven quite easily if one looks at your Tweet history. :p What is your favorite Lady Gaga song and why?
Hee! Am I that unsubtle? ;) Oh, wow. Picking a favorite Lady Gaga song. I think every song of hers has been a favorite at one point or another. Bad Romance is genius and forever listen-able. Paparazzi holds a special place in my heart (best music video EVER!). Vanity is a great one and so is Beautiful, Dirty, Rich. Just Dance. And Teeth has FANTASTIC lyrics. I can't pick just one! C'est impossible! I love them all!

Anything else you would like to share with us?
Thank you so much for the interview, Sara!

Review: Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Title: Some Girls Are
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub. Date: 1/5/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Popularity, Bullying, Lies, Love, Friendship
Pages: 246
Plot (from back cover):
"Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut.
Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard - falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students of Hallowell High... that is, until vicious ruors about her and her best friend's boyfriend started going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it woiuld be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past she herself used to bully, friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.
Tensions grow and abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up to Be."

Some Girls Are is just one of those books. One of those books that everyone should read. Not only because Courtney Summers is a phenomenal writer, but because Regina's story is one that anyone can relate to. Readers may not look at Regina and the bigger events in the novel and see their lives reflected, but if you look at the details, the feelings and fears of Regina and all her classmates, I'm certain you'll see a little bit of yourself. It might not be the prettiest bit, it might not even be a part of yourself you let others see, but that won't make it any less true.

I loved Regina as a main character. She was so absolutely horrible. So real. So broken. If I knew her in real life, I probably would hate her. That is, when I didn't agree with her. That fact is one of the reasons I loved SGA. Most everyone has that horrible in them, even if it isn't to the extent to which Regina does. She is one of those characters that makes you think. How do my actions and words affect people? Do the people I associate with affect how others see me? Do they affect how I see me? Affect what I think is right or wrong? Affect whether I should be blamed for my actions, my choices, if done under the influence of peer pressure? Simply put: This book is intense.

SGA is one of those books that is painful to read, but I couldn't put it down. I knew that Regina's situation was just going to keep getting worse, especially if she kept fighting back against the Fearsome Foursome, but I wanted her to fight.

Regina and Michael's relationship was one of my favorite aspects of the novel. The fact that, from the beginning, you know that their relationship is going to be difficult, perhaps impossible. Which, of course, made me want it to work out even more. In many ways, their relationship was a type of redemption for Regina: if Michael can find a way to forgive her, can find a way to love her, perhaps there is hope for her after all.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

Pick up a copy of SOME GIRLS ARE today - you NEED to read this book! And Courtney, when is your next book coming out? I can't wait!

Cover Alert: Some Girls Are and The Mark

I've got two new covers to share today! :)

The cover for Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers has finally been released! YAY!

I really like this cover... I think it really fits the plot summary...

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.

Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

Also, I just read that the cover for Jen Nadol's The Mark has been changed as well.


I really like this new cover - better than the original even. So, good change, I say.

Sixteen-year old Cassie Renfield has seen the mark since forever: a glow around certain people as if a candle were held behind their back.

The one time she pointed it out taught her she shouldn't do it again, so Cassie has kept quiet, considering its rare appearances odd, but insignificant. Until she watches a man die. Mining her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person's imminent death. Now how or where, only when: today.

Cassie searches her past, her philosophy lessons, even her new boyfriend for answers, always careful to keep her secret. How does the mark work? Why her? Most importantly, if you know today is someone's last, should you tell?