Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pub. Date: April 15, 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Rec. Age Level: 14+

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  In this new contemporary YA novel from Jenny Han - author of the wonderful novel The Summer I Turned Pretty - young, messy, exuberant, painful love and the complicated, unbreakable bond of sisterhood is explored.

When Lara Jean Song's love letters to five boys she once loved - private letters that were never intended to be seen by said boys - are all mailed, she must navigate her way through the fallout. Most worrisome is the letter sent to her older sister's recent ex, a boy she stopped loving the day he started dating her sister... or did she? As Lara Jean revisits and sorts her feelings, she begins a faux-relationship with a classmate which quickly spirals out of control.

Another driving force within the novel is Lara Jean's relationship with her sisters. Lara Jean is the middle sister, but when her older sister moves overseas for college, she becomes the eldest in the house, a position that changes Lara Jean's relationship with both siblings. I found this aspect of the novel very compelling and realistic. As the eldest of four siblings (two sisters, one brother) I identified with Lara Jean, but I could also identify closely with her older sister's motivations and feelings.

I was pleasantly surprised by the glimpses at Lara Jean's Korean heritage as well. These elements were mostly introduced through food and food memories, which I think is a really smart, accessible way to showcase cultural individuality in fiction.There's a misconception that characters of color or characters that are at all outside of the stereotypical white American teenager character-type are too difficult for the general YA reading public to relate to. TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE wholly demolishes that misconception - hurrah!

Review: The Summer I Wasn't Me by Jessica Verdi

Title: The Summer I Wasn't Me
Author: Jessica Verdi
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pub. Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Rec. Age Level: 14+

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When Lexi’s mom finds out she’s gay, Lexi worries it will be the final straw, shattering what’s left of her family. Her mother has taken her father’s death hard, leaving Lexi to hold things together. Lexi’s mother’s revelation regarding her daughter’s sexual orientation wakes her from her grief-induced fog, giving her a purpose: to save her daughter. When she suggests Lexi attend a religious summer camp to convert her to heterosexuality, Lexi agrees to attend, hoping that it will salvage their relationship.

At first things at the camp seem tame – ridiculous and ineffective, but tame nonetheless. Lexi and her fellow campers settle into camp, but soon realize that those who don’t conform are punished, the conversion activities becoming violent and dangerous. The pressure is on and Lexi must decide who she wants to be, how she wants to live, and how far she’ll go for those she loves.

I was really surprised by how dark this novel got, but, at the same time, when we’re dealing with converting one’s sexuality, what else can you really expect? As a strong believer in the idea that individuals can love any way they please – same sex or otherwise – THE SUMMER I WASN’T ME was a difficult read. It makes me incredibly sad that anyone would feel that their sexuality is wrong and that they should change it, at any cost. For that reason, I think this sophomore novel from Jessica Verdi is extremely important. Readers should feel shocked and upset about the events in this novel. I’m just hoping that readers feel so much that they take a stand and support GLBT individuals.

My only complaint about this novel is that it seemed to end rather abruptly after some pretty intense events took place. Everything was wrapped up a bit too neatly, undermining the believability slightly. Still, in ways, it was nice to have that safe, happy ending after the heaviness earlier in the novel. I think most readers won’t be bothered by the ending.

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Don't miss my interview with the author here!

Review: Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley

 

Title: Ask Me
Author: Kimberly Pauley
Publisher: Soho Teen
Pub. Date: April 8, 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Rec. Age Level: 14+

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Aria Morse is an Oracle, which sounds a lot cooler than it actually is. Aria must answer every questions she hears, whether it's directed at her or not, and she has no control over her response. Here odd mumblings and awkward responses make her a social pariah, bullied and ostracized. While it's not fun, she almost prefers that no one talks to her because it saves her from having to deal with her "gift." She'd rather just lie low until her powers disappear, like have with every Oracle before her, including her grandmother. When Jade, the only classmate who ever showed Aria kindness, disappears under mysterious circumstances, Aria may be the only person with the ability to uncover the details surrounding her demise. The two prime suspects are Will and Alex, two boys Jade was involved with, who now seem to show up everywhere Aria turns. When she starts to develop feelings for one of the boys and more girls show up murdered, Aria knows she'll have to stop running from her gift and embrace it.

While I really liked the premise of ASK ME - a teenaged Oracle who has to catch a killer is a pretty solid idea - I wasn't a fan of the characters or plot development.

I couldn't connect with Aria and, unfortunately, found all of the characters and their motivations pretty juvenile and stereotypical. I was especially annoyed by Aria grandmother and grandfather, who she lives with. Her grandmother is constantly trying to encourage her to use her gifts, despite the bullying and ill treatment Aria experiences because of her lack of control over them. I really couldn't understand how Aria's grandmother could just ignore the negative consequences of being Oracle, especially when she'd been one herself. Aria's grandfather was slightly better, but he was always forgetting that Aria had no choice but to respond to every question she hears and never fails to ask tons of questions around her. You'd think that the man who raised Aria would eventually develop a habit of avoiding pointless questions at the expense of his beloved granddaughter.

Another issue was the unbelievability of some of the plot developments. I could get on board with Aria being an Oracle, but I couldn't suspend my belief when Aria, who has been ostracized for years, suddenly has two boys after her. I mean, really? All of a sudden she's desirable and her weirdness can be overlooked, though nothing at all has changed? A lot of the plot depends on Will and Alex's interest in Aria, so when their interest seems forced, the entire plot seems forced.

It seems like some readers are enjoying this one, so don't take my word for it! Check out these positive reviews:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/781623069?book_show_action=true&page=1

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/869212961?book_show_action=true&page=1

Review: The Museum of Intangible Things by Wendy Wunder

Title: The Museum of Intangible Things
Author: Wendy Wunder
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Pub. Date: April 8, 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Rec. Age Level: 14+

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Hannah and Zoe haven't been given much in life, except each other, and they don't have anything particularly wonderful waiting in their future. Unless you count enrolling at the local community college, which they don't. The only worthwhile tie the girls have to the New Jersey town they grew is Zoe's autistic brother, who relies on Zoe and Hannah to help him navigate the world and all the intangible things within it he struggles to understand. 

After climbing out of a dark depression, Zoe bounds into mania, declaring that Hannah might not have the best grip on the intangibles either. Hoping to recover the real Zoe in the midst of her cycles of depression and mania, Hannah agrees to ditch New Jersey and embark on a cross country road trip in search of those difficult to understand but absolutely essential intangibles: Loyalty. Envy. Obligation. Dreams. Disappointment. Fear. Negligence. Coping. Elation. Lust. Nature. Freedom. Heartbreak. Insouciance. Audacity. Gluttony. Belief. God. Karma. Knowing what you want (there is probably a French word for it). Saying Yes. Destiny. Truth. Devotion. Forgiveness. Life. Happiness (ever after).

The Museum of Intangible Things is, at its core, a love story. Not the typical romantic love story (though there is one of those within its pages as well), but the story of the strong and enduring love between two girls who have always been and always will be there for one another. True best friends with a wild streak... Bonnie & Clyde Bonnie. Wendy Wunder gives readers an unforgettable story of two girls who take to the road and commit the occasional crime in an epic quest to ensure the others' happiness.

Review: The Lonesome Young by Lucy Connors

Title: The Lonesome Young
Author: Lucy Connors
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Pub. Date: April 8, 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Rec. Age Level: 14+

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Victoria Whitfield is just returning home when a meth lab explodes. Mickey Rhodale's older brother is just returning home as well... from jail. Both teens are pulled to the scene of the explosion, where they meet by chance. A relationship between good girl Victoria and bad boy Mickey should never work, but, for better or worse, the two are pulled towards one another. But there's more than just class and status against the Victoria and Mickey: their families have hated one another for decades and the feud is no where near dead. Will blood or love prevail in this story of starcrossed love?

Okay, I admit it, it was the cover that first drew me to THE LONESOME YOUNG. It shows bad boy Mickey with Victoria in his arms. I was itching for a good romance and Simone Elkeles blurb made me hopeful that Connors' YA debut would fulfill this craving. Unfortunately, the romance in THE LONESOME YOUNG was just too... predictable? contrived? boring? It just didn't make my heart speed up or leave me with a goofy smile on my face. In fact, I would have been much happier with this novel if there was less romance and more of a focus on the action and family drama.

In addition to a comparison to Romeo and Juliet, THE LONESOME YOUNG has been pitched as Justified for YA readers, which also pulled me in. And I definitely saw - and approved of - the similarities. There's drugs, guns, crazy drug-running families headed by scary women, corrupt cops... I loved this side of the novel! Which is why I was disappointed each time it was brushed over for more Victoria and Mickey and their agonizingly ridiculous should-we-or-shouldn't-we fights. I think it's fairly obvious that our starcrossed lovers are going to be together, no matter the consequences, so the back and forth got pretty frustrating (and pointless) after the second time.

Overall, not a horrible novel, but lacking the depth it could have had. There was so much potential here, but the romance squashed it!

Review: Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Title: Dorothy Must Die
Author: Danielle Paige
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pub. Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Rec. Age Level: 14+

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When a tornado tears through Amy Gumm's Kansas trailer park and transports her to the magical land of Oz, she expects to find brightly colored landscape populated happy munchkins and be greeted by the good witch Glinda, but Oz isn't the place it was when Dorothy found it. Amy discovers that, after Dorothy helped save Oz with the help of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, she returned to Oz. Drunk on power, Dorothy destroyed Oz in her insatiable quest for magic, usurping the rightful queen, Ozma, and ruling by fear and violence. Amy Gumm is an unlikely heroine, but those who take up the fight against Dorothy - The Revolutionary Order of the Wicked - believe that Amy is their only hope to free Oz. 

When I heard about Dorothy Must Die couldn't wait to read it. The Wizard of Oz was my favorite movie for years and I still haven't reached my limit on dystopian novels yet, so this book should have been a match made in book heaven, but, alas, it wasn't meant to be.

I will say that I loved this premise. An evil Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion and an unsuspecting teen-turned-assassin is an awesome idea. There is so much potential here, but, for me, the execution was lacking.

Dorothy Must Die has starts slow and never really picks up speed. Couple that with shallow and predictable plot twists and we have a problem. As much as I wanted it to be able to, this book just couldn't hold my attention. It didn't help that I  didn't like Amy very much... Actually, that's not it. It's more like I just didn't care about her which is, arguably, infinitely worse. 

I don't think you should count Dorothy Must Die out because, to me, retellings are always worth a try and this book really does feature a compelling premise. I could tell from the first couple chapters that this one wasn't going to work for me... So, with that in mind, I recommend reading the first few chapters online before committing to buying/borrowing the book!

Review: Learning Not to Drown by Anna Shinoda

Title: Learning Not to Drown
Author: Anna Shinoda
Publisher: Atheneum BFYR/Simon & Schuster
Pub. Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Rec. Age Level: 14+

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Clare has spent her entire life living in the shadow of her brother Luke's reputation. For years, he's been in and out of jail on various drug charges and, every time he's out, he promises things will be different, but Clare knows better than most that even prison can't banish the monster that is addiction. Despite everything Luke has put her family through, Clare's parents constantly defend him, no matter his sins. To add insult to injury, Clare and her brother Peter are constantly measured against Luke and, in their parents' eyes, always found lacking. Still, Clare loves her brother and believes this time, things might be different. 

When truths about Luke's crimes surface and he finds himself, once again, on the wrong side of the law - this time putting Clare's future at risk - Clare must make a decision that might haunt her forever: turn her back on Luke and her parents or sacrifice herself and her future for family. Tackling drug addiction, family skeletons, and the necessity of breaking free of damaging familial relationships, LEARNING NOT TO DROWN is a debut novel that burns with an intensity readers won't soon forget.

It's difficult to succinctly mention the many issues Anna Shinoda takes on in LEARNING NOT TO DROWN. Which, I suppose, is understandable, because drug addiction, a family member going to prison, secrets, and lies all create a ripple effect that's impossible to simplify. Shinoda attempts to understand and create a picture of these effects with LEARNING NOT TO DROWN and have to say, she does a remarkable job. The issues that Clare is dealing with - judgement from her peers because of who her brother is, unrealistic expectations from her parents, doubting her ability to judge someone's character (after truths are revealed about her brother's crimes), etc - have the ability to decimate a person, but Clare is resilient and is determined to overcome the cards she's been dealt. Clare's strength shines in the bleak landscape her family has allowed her world to become, making her growth and successes an inspiration.

Must-Read-Monday (2): The Museum of Intanglible Things

Must-Read-Monday is a new feature here at The Hiding Spot. Each week I'll feature a book that, if it isn't already, should be on your radar!

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The Museum of Intangible Things

by Wendy Wunder

  

Available April 10, 2014 from Razorbill/Penguin

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Hannah and Zoe haven't been given much in life, except each other, and they don't have anything particularly wonderful waiting in their future. Unless you count enrolling at the local community college, which they don't. The only worthwhile tie the girls have to the New Jersey town they grew is Zoe's autistic brother, who relies on Zoe and Hannah to help him navigate the world and all the intangible things within it he struggles to understand. After climbing out of a dark depression, Zoe bounds into mania, declaring that Hannah might not have the best grip on the intangibles either. Hoping to recover the real Zoe in the midst of her cycles of depression and mania, Hannah agrees to ditch New Jersey and embark on a cross country road trip in search of those difficult to understand but absolutely essential intangibles: Loyalty. Envy. Obligation. Dreams. Disappointment. Fear. Negligence. Coping. Elation. Lust. Nature. Freedom. Heartbreak. Insouciance. Audacity. Gluttony. Belief. God. Karma. Knowing what you want (there is probably a French word for it). Saying Yes. Destiny. Truth. Devotion. Forgiveness. Life. Happiness (ever after).

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Click the links below for more information.

More about Wendy Wunder

More about Wunder's debut novel, The Probability of Miracles