Review: Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

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Title: Love Letters to the Dead
Author: Ava Dellaira
Publisher: Macmillan
Pub. Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: YA
Rec. Age Level: 14+

Laurel’s sister May died last year and, despite the fact that it’s often on her mind, she doesn’t want anyone at her new school to know about it. She doesn’t want anyone to know about Laurel or that her family is scattered and broken or about anything else that happened before now. Freshman year is a clean start. When Laurel is assigned to write a letter to a dead person, she chooses Kurt Cobain - who better to understand May and the circumstances surrounding her death than her favorite tragic rock star? As Laurel struggles to cope with the loss of her sister and the ups and downs of new friends and first love the letters continue. Some addressed to Kurt Cobain, others to Amelia Earhardt, Amy Winehouse, Heath Ledger, e.e. cummings… As the letters pile up, the secrets Laurel battles rise to the surface, forcing an emotional confrontation in order for Laurel to move forward with her life.

Love Letters to the Dead is so beautifully written that it almost makes the emotional pain it inflicts sweet. From the first pages until the last, I was enchanted by the language and descriptions, the raw and honest emotion within Laurel’s letters. For me, the events surrounding May’s death and the secrets Laurel was hiding weren’t really a mystery; it was accompanying Laurel on her journey to understand and move past what happened that was truly compelling.

It isn’t obvious from the description, but Love Letters to the Dead is told entirely in letters; there aren’t just letters here and there throughout the book. Some readers don’t like epistolary novels, but I adore them. Novels in this format – especially those that feature letters from only the main character with no responses, like Love Letters to the Dead – feel like a diary. Letters offer a unique vantage point from which to view the character, exposing nuances and details that might otherwise go overlooked.

Lovers of music and poetry will no doubt love this novel. Many of Laurel’s letters are addressed to deceased musicians and poets, most of whom I think readers will be familiar with, but, even if they aren’t, it’s likely they will be inspired to go learn more about these individuals Laurel entrusts her story to.

Love Letters to the Dead is unforgettable and I urge you to read it.

Weekly Wrap Up (15)

This has been an interesting week because a) I finished my undergraduate degree - finally! - in English Language and Literature from Western Michigan University and 2) in addition to graduating, I also finished my final two weeks at the bookstore I've been managing for the last year. I spent the week getting ready for my move across the state to Traverse City, MI, where I'll be beginning work at my new job this Tuesday.  You can read more about all that here. On to the next chapter in my life - a homework free chapter! Well, at least until I start grad school next year. :)

This week on the blog:

• Monday I reviewed We Were Liars by E. Lockhart! Read this book immediately - you won't regret it!
• Tuesday I reviewed Life by Committee, Corey Ann Haydu's sophomore novel.
• Wednesday, I featured Cat Winters' The Cure for Dreaming and talked about why it was my weekly WoW pick!
• I guest reviewed The Inventor's Secret by Andrea Cremer over at I Heart Y.A. Fiction!
• I also wrapped up the blog tour for M.P. Kozlowsky's The Dyerville Tales with a giveaway for a signed hardcover copy.
• Thursday I reviewed Sarah Alderson's newest book, The Sound.
• Then I shared an interview with Alderson and offered a chance to win a copy.
• Friday I wrapped up the week with a review of Kristin Rae's Wish You Were Italian!

Read this week:

1. Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff

 I actually picked this one up expecting horror and was surprised to find that it isn't. I could've sword that I read somewhere that it was, but I guess I was confused. Instead, this is a really fantastic paranormal/fantasy novel that focuses on witchcraft, small town politics, and a potentially ill-fated romance. I really liked this one - look for it this August!

2. Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

 I'd been meaning to read this one for awhile, but I moved it up on my reading list after hearing it compared to the television show Revenge. While it definitely has similarities to the show, it's not near as dark or intense, so don't worry, the cover isn't totally misleading. Though it was a bit predictable, I enjoyed this one and will read the next two books in the trilogy. This one is in stores now.

3. Anybody Shining by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Anybody Shining is a historically set MG that I absolutely adored. Set in the 1920s, the novel centers around 12-year old Arie Mae, a adventurous girl growing up in the Appalachian Mountains. The story is told, in part, through letters to her cousin (who has yet to respond to a single one) and explores themes of friendship, being true to oneself, and the importance of family and history. This one will be on shelves at the end of August.

4. Into the Grey by Celine Kiernan

 From what I understand, this book is already out in Europe and is just now coming to the US. If you're looking for a ghost story that will leave you both frightened and introspective, this is it. Look for this one in August.

5. Boys Like You by Julianna Stone

 I really thought I would love this one but... I just didn't. It felt cliche and, despite the premise, shallow. For some reason, I feel guilty about not liking this one, but I have to be honest about it. I just feel like, with so many other novels out there featuring similar plots, this one can be skipped. Out now.

6. The Violet Hour by Whitney A. Miller

I'm so happy I finally had a chance to read this one. I've been looking forward to it every since I saw the awesome book trailer and it totally lived up to my expectations! This is twisty YA paranormal horror with no small amount of gore. And there's a sequel - win!

7. How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied by Jess Keating

 Yay for funny MG! This is a fantastic story filled with animal facts and a great lesson about overcoming insecurity and believing in yourself. And it made me laugh out loud multiple times which is always a good sign. This one is out in June.

8. The Sound by Sarah Alderson

 Brit heroine is nannying in the states for the summer, but things get crazy when she learns that foreign nannies are being attacked and killed by a potential serial killer. Check out my full review here and enter to win a copy here. In stores now.

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What did you read this week? I love recommendations! Have you read any of my new reads this week - what did you think?

Review: Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae

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Title: Wish You Were Italian
Author: Kristin Rae
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub. Date: May 6, 2014
Genre: YA
Rec. Age Level: 12+

Pippa is dreading the summer art program her parents are making her participate in, an extension of their dreams rather than her own. The only redeeming factor is that the program is in Italy, a country steeped in history, culture, and romance. It isn't until Pippa decides to take her trip into her own hands - ditching the art program and striking off on her own - that the summer starts looking up. She's taken in by an Italian family that gives her a place to live and a job in their family cafe and sets out to accomplish a list of goals: swim in the Mediterranean, eat plenty of gelato, and fall in love with an Italian. But love is never predictable and Pippa may have to leave Italy without fulfilling her goal of falling for a boy of Italy.

It's been a long time since I've read a book that was purely a pleasure read and I enjoyed every moment of it! I picked this one up to de-stress and distract myself from the craziness of school and work and was incredibly happy with my choice. I hate using the term fluffy to describe books because I feel like there's a negative connotation with that label, so I'll say this debut from Rae is like... gelato, refreshing, sweet, and quickly devoured.

I've never been to Italy - or anywhere out of the country - but this novel completely called out to the romantic wanderlust that occasionally plagues me. Not only does Pippa explore a gorgeous country rich with amazing history and good food, she meets wonderful people and is romanced by two gorgeous guys. I'm a sucker for cute, romantic travel movies a la Chasing Liberty (with Mandy Moore), so, for me, the plot of WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN was perfect.

I'll definitely be looking for more from Kristin Rae and reading the rest of the If Only line from Bloomsbury!

Interview & Giveaway with Sarah Alderson, author of The Sound

Sarah Alderson stops by The Hiding Spot today to chat about her writing and her newest novel, The Sound, which is out now from Simon & Schuster. Don't miss my review of The Sound, here!

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About the author:

Having spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and princess-obsessed daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home. After several months in India, Singapore, Australia and the US, they settled in Bali where Sarah now spends her days writing by the pool and trying to machete open coconuts without severing a limb. You can find Sarah on facebook and at www.sarahalderson.com or follow her blog at www.canwelivhere.com 

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Did you have trouble writing any of your characters or specific scenes within the novel? Alternately, were any characters or scenes particularly easy to write?

No! On the contrary, this was one of the easiest books I’ve ever written. It really flowed. I think because it was my first contemporary and I was so used to being in paranormal worlds that by comparison it was easy. I mean, I wasn’t having to think about what a telepath would be doing in a specific scene or what kinds of weaponry a special military unit might be carrying or what a doorway to another dimension would look like!

Also, Ren was my first 100% British character and there was something wonderfully liberating with that. I loved being able to fill her with Britishisms and play out my sarcasm through her.

Ren is a music blogger and book fiend so that aspect of her personality was enjoyable to write too.

In The Sound, Ren is attracted to the local bad boy. Do you find you tend to write bad boys? What do you think it is that makes bad boys so appealing?

No, not at all. I don’t like cliche, so I tend to avoid the bad boy thing. And also I find that a lot of bad boys in books are just plain assholes - controlling, aggressive, stalkery. That’s not attractive! I write characters, sometimes those characters might have a little bit of a dark history (Jesse has just got out of Juvie but when you find out the reason he was in there you fall a little bit in love with him) but they’re not bad boys.

Alex from Hunting Lila who is easily my most popular male character is anything but a bad boy!

Tell me a little bit about your writing process: Do you outline? Start at the beginning? The middle? The end?

I usually know who the main characters are and how it is going to start. I also know how it’s going to end, but I never really know what’s going to happen on the journey to get there. That for me is the fun part of writing. Although The Sound is my first US release, I’ve already published about seven titles in the UK, so I’ve learned to trust myself and I don’t need to plan so much these days.

Has the title changed or stayed relatively the same as your novel journeyed towards publication?

No, the title came to me about halfway through writing the book and has stayed.

What jobs did you have on your way to becoming a published author? Is there a certain work experience that has shaped your writing or provided inspiration?

I never planned to be an author or even dreamed of it. I feel like such a fraud sometimes. I worked for 9 years for a non-profit in London and the only things I wrote that were fictional were funding reports.

Then in 2009 my husband and I quit our jobs and decided to take our toddler daughter off on a round the world trip to find a new place to live (somewhere sunny) and I needed to find a way to earn money. I was swimming one day and panicking over what I would do and I thought of Stephenie Meyer and the idea popped into my head to write a book.

I was so naive (I should have googled how much authors earn!). But then I started writing Hunting Lila and before I knew it I had finished it and then I got an agent and she sold it to Simon & Schuster and now I’m on my 7th book with them (in the UK).

Just goes to show you don’t need to have studied creative writing!

If you had to pick a favorite word, what would it be and why?

Thank you. Because it’s a really important word that can make all the difference to you and those around you. You know gratitude is linked to happiness levels? 

My blog is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Who, what, or where can be credited as your personal escape from reality?

Definitely books. They’re my go-to escape. Other than that I have just planned a trip to India with my friend. It holds a special place in my heart. I wrote Losing Lila on the beach there. :)

Don't miss my review of The Sound HERE.

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