2013 YA Contemporary Challenge

This year I will be participating in the 2013 YA Contemporary Challenge hosted by Katie's Book Blog.  Contemporary YA is one of my favorite genres so this challenge is pretty exciting for me.

I am commited to:

Level 3: 15+ books. 

That is 15-plus YA Contemporary books that will be published in 2013 and that I will read in 2013.

Here is a list of books that I have scheduled to read this month. 

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Being Henry David by Cal Armistead


I will probably check in time to time with an update of what's been read and what's on the reading schedule.

Happy 2013!


~Nat

Masque Of The Red Death by Bethany Griffin

* * * *

 

 

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

 

Masque of the Red Death is bursting with conspiracy, espionage and deception. It's hard to narrow down when this takes place but that only adds to it's draw.

I was initially struck by Araby’s self-destructive nature and that of her best friend April. They go to the Debauchery Club regularly to engage in nefarious activities that help them forget the miserable reality of their day to day lives. Mind you their plight is not quite as bleak as the rest of the unlucky population who live in abject poverty. Because of a plague that no one quite understands, everyone has taken to wearing masks to prevent from breathing in the toxic air that kills without discrimination. And it's only the rich whocan afford that necessity.  If there’s anything most startling in this book, it’s the grotesque difference between the haves and the have-nots.  That glaring discrepancy is what makes Araby view her good fortune as a burden especially when she’s exposed to Will’s life. She is overwhelmed with guilt when she sees firsthand how her secret crush struggles to survive daily. Her guilt over how the other half lives is what informs her burgeoning political ideology.

Masque has a well-crafted plot featuring complex relationships and characters. Her fractured relationship with her parents is sad and uncomfortable. They are a very disconnected family. Will is the guy you automatically fall for. He’s sweet, considerate and works hard to help his family. But is he too good to be true? Then there’s Elliott. You can’t quite put a finger on him.  He’s aloof, sly, adept at spinning words and when combined with his sharp intellect, he's dangerously sexy.

Here’s what completely threw me. Despite the fact that I knew Elliott had his own personal agenda, that smug, arrogant guy quietly seduced me. He is hard to figure out but he carries himself so confidently and is unapologetic about his principles. He is flat out honest about his intentions and ambitions but is still ambiguous and unreadable most of the time. He’s quite the conundrum.

But don’t think Masque of the Red Death is simply about a love triangle. That is secondary to Araby’s introduction into the world of political intrigue and what she chooses to be her life’s purpose. I did feel jittery as I read along having no idea who could be trusted. As her alliance shifted I was so worried she would end up being the pawn in someone’s evil plan. But the clever girl holds her own proving that she should not be underestimated.  I sat at the edge of my seat as the climax built and after a few harrowing scenes, I was so crushed when it had to end. I want more damn it!

~ Bel

Masque Of The Red Death is also featured in Bel's Top 10 Of 2012.

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday (47)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.

By Lisa McMann
Publication Date: January 8, 2013

If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first of four books from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

In this riveting start to a gripping series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.

Bel's Top 10 Of 2012 In No Particular Order

Another year has flown by and with kids, work, what feels like a zillion activities every week, I can't even believe how many books I've managed to get in. I'll admit that I did have a hard time putting this list together. A few were no-brainers but others had to fight it out. So below, in no particular order, are my favorites reads of 2012.

 

Okay I lied. This is at the top of the list. What can I say? This book is pure heart through and through. I thought I was going to be reading a simple story about a kid struggling with coming out of the closet. What I got was so much more. Amy Lane is a force of nature who took me on the most emotional ride ever. The highs were very high and lows made me sob incessantly and my heart wrench for the characters. It sounds like a torturous read but it isn't. Until Chase In Shadow I had never experienced emotions written so vibrantly and described in such beautiful, poetic prose that had me so invested in the characters.  Amy Lane, you have set the standard very, very high my dear. I love you for it.

  

You know how sometimes you have a sweet tooth? My Life Next Door is kind of like that when you have the need to read something saccharin that isn't overly dramatic with crazy stuff.  Every so often you just need a good read that leaves you happy. If you’re going to picture a spot for this on the bookshelf, it will be right next to another “feel good” book, Anna and the French Kiss.

 

This very disturbing story about an abusive relationship is laid out impressively by mixing up the chain of events. In doing so the reader is directed to focus on each situation rather than their own feelings about why she hadn't walked away from the imbecile yet.  I found myself empathizing with her and rooting for her when she finally woke up. Disturbing - yes. But also hopeful.

 

 

You have to love a formidable female character. Throne of Glass offers two along with busy plot line complete with political intrigue, the supernatural and plenty of action. Oh and did I mention that the girl kicks major ass? This was so much fun!

 

 

This is just one of those sweet surprises of the year. I admire how the author broaches the subject of sexual assault with sensitivity allowing the character to discover her own strength. And her knight in shining armor who insists that she become stronger is the forever guy you want to bring home with you. I still continue to gush over it.

 

This is my first David Levithan book and he absolutely blew me away. I’m still in awe as to how he managed to write an entire book featuring a genderless character in A. Despite that, or may be because of it, this book is the phenomenon it is. David Levithan is a genius and Every Day is a must read.

 

 

The story follows a new girl replacing a missing student at an elite boarding school where she encounters a less than warm welcome from some of her fellow students. This is excellent storytelling that pulled me so far in that I didn’t even realize it until the every end.

 

 

I think I've had my fill of dystopian for a while. Thank goodness this one didn't feel so much like it. The setting feels more soap opera-like featuring some very confounding characters. But that's the best part about this book - you don't know exactly where everyone stands. You just hope you're trusting the right person. (The full review will be posted Jan 3rd.)

I used to have an aversion to romance novels until Shel picked this one for me to try.  People, Jill Shalvis is THE queen of taking a simple every day situations and turning them into the most ridiculous moments ever. In this one, Dorie as the adorkable heroine had me laughing so hard sometimes I had to give myself time to recover before continuing on. If you ever need something to get you out of the doldrums, Jill Shalvis is your girl!

In A Discovery of Witches I found a very beguiling and suspenseful story rich in history and mythology. What I loved most about this is that even though Matthew Clairemont, the 1500 year-old vampire has many human moments, not once was I allowed to forget that he was a predator first and foremost. Knowing that only made this story more thrilling.







The ones that narrowly made the list:

Talk about dysfunctional! I have a love/hate relationship with certain elements of this story but I still ended up liking it. May be when I look at it as a whole rather than those individual parts I see and appreciate a complex dynamic involving two very stubborn people who somehow manage to get each other.

This entire series is so much fun, I had a blast with it. My favorite aspect is that while Mo may have been neck deep in chaos, she always came through because of her quick thinking and resourcefulness.






So there's my list. I wish I could name more since this is just a small representation of the many excellent books and authors I've read this year. Here's to a Happy New Year and Happy Reading in 2013!

~ Bel

 



 

Top Ten 2012 (It's Nat's Turn!)

Wow.  Is it the end of the year already?  Where did the time go?  2012 was a rough year for all of us in one way or another.  And because of that each of us went through long lasting reading funks.  But even with that funk I managed to read 78 books this year. That is high for me on a normal year so I won't complain...

As usual, I had a hard time deciding which books to include in my Top Ten of 2012.  I, of course, cheated a little by adding a few honorable mentions at the end. How I narrowed those down to only three is byond me...So here it is.  My Top Ten of 2012.  In no particular order.





The Lovers Dictionary by David Levithan - A modern love story told in single words and definitions. So many pages resonated with me and how I feel about the Executive Officer. I still go back and re-read passages.  And the best part?  David Levithan continues to define life, love and relationships through words on Twitter @loversdiction








Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson Hands down, my favorite book of the year.  Yeah, you all thought I would choose a romance, didn't you?  Well I didn't.  I chose this amazingly hilarious (and rarely serious) memoir by Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess.  I can't begin to tell you much how I laughed.  And laughed.  And laughed.  And cried a little.  And laughed some more.









Chase In Shadow by Amy Lane - Thanks to Bel, this is where my love of Amy Lane began.  This is a brutally emotional story of a young man struggling to remain in the closet while using the gay-for-pay porn industry as an outlet.  Oh don't worry.  There is definitely some happy in this story.  But first, Ms. Lane will stomp on your heart a good five or six times.  Because she's kind of awesome like that.  And apparently that's my thing since I have read about a dozen more of her books since Chase in Shadow.







Rockoholic by C.J. Skuse - This one snuck up on me.  It was nothing what I expected.  Instead it was so much more.  A brilliant dramatic comedy  that is in turn hilarious and disturbing.  As I stated in my review, C.J. Skuse should be applauded her sheer awesomeness.










Dash and Lily's Book of Dare by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - I am so happy that I read this right before Christmas.  A perfect romantic comedy that not only put me in the holiday spirit but also had me giggling well into the early hours of the morning.  I believe this has been optioned for a movie and I will be absolutely thrilled if it makes it to the big screen. AND if I can put a Dash on hold for youngest daughter, that would be most excellent.








Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - The chemistry between Echo and Noah not only drips off this hot cover, it also drips off every single page within the book.  It was steamy.  It was angsty.  It was romantic.  And it made me cry.  A quadruple threat.  I can not wait until the companion novel, Dare You Too, is released in May 2013.

Making Promises by Amy Lane - I was instantly smitten with forever-boy (or forever-man in this case since this isn't YA and he is 30-something) Shane.  His patient pursuit of the adorably prickly and bitchy Mikhail is so understanding and loving that I just couldn't help but fall in love with him.  Also, how could I not love a book with this beautiful quote, "I cannot face you if you think I look at you and see anything less than the man you are.  I am not settling for you, I am reaching for you, and there is a difference..." 

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - I find it impossible to discuss this book with someone that hasn't read it.  The sheer beauty and sadness of it is overwhelming.  All I will say is that John Green is a genius.  His previous stories are great but this one….well there is a reason that it has been so well received by so many.  Once you read it, check out this to answer to any and all of your questions regarding Hazel and Augustus:  http://onlyifyoufinishedtfios.tumblr.com/







Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker - So often books are about being hurt by someone else.   Melissa Walker is one of the rare authors that chose to focus on the character that did the hurting.  We all make mistakes in our lifetime.  Some of those mistakes are bigger than others.  This story was about learning to live with those mistakes and how to rebuild your life after suffering the damage you caused.  This story was beautiful and I think is a must read for teens just so they know that life does move on and it does get better.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi - This was one of the first books I read this year.  So often I will read something early in the year that I really enjoy but then it is overshadowed by something else.  In twelve months, Under The Never Sky has never swayed from my Top Ten.  This is a perfect combination of romance, fantasy and sci-fi and the second in the series will be an auto-buy for me when it is released the first week of 2013.

 

 

Honorable Mentions:

 

The Curiosites by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton and Brenna Yovanoff & Boys of Summer Edited by Steve Berman - As I have mentioned numerous times, I do not like short story compilations.  This year, a number of YA authors set out to teach me a lesson.  Both The Curiosities (a collection of supernatural and horror stories) and Boys of Summer (an anthology of Gay YA shorts) proved to me that there are not only some amazing short stories out there but also a number of great authors that I can't wait to read more of.

 

 

 

 

 

Gambling Men by Amy Lane - To be honest, I could have added Amy Lane books to most of my Top Ten.  And it was REALLY difficult for me to choose between Gambling Men and Making Promises.  So this gets honorable mention. The biggest reason (besides the hilarious use of poker metaphors) is that I married a Quentin.  Yeah, that's right.  If you have read this you know to be super jealous ;-)

 

Shel's Top 10 of 2012

Hi all!  Sorry I've been a little absent on the blog.  The holidays are always a busy time, but this year has been absolutely nuts.  Throw in a promotion at work and I'm doing a vanishing act.  I promise to be better, mostly because I miss you all!

 

I had such a problem this year narrowing down my choices for my top 10 reads for 2012.  What a great year for book lovers, and if my TBR pile gets any bigger it's going to take over my entire house.  I only got in about 100 books this year and there were so many more great books I wanted to read.  So, without further adieu and in no particular order...

 

 

The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer

 

 

The first two books, Storm and Spark, just knocked my socks off.  I love this series.

 

The Mythos Academy Series by Jennifer Estep (Dark Frost and Crimson Frost)

 

This has been one of my favorite series since we started the blog (as I'm sure you can tell by my frequent ramblings on the subject).  This year brought us Dark Frost and Crimson Frost.  Both are freaking amazing.  Kudos Jennifer!
 

 

The Mephisto Covenant: The Redemption of Ajax by Trinity Faegen

 

 

Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis  (And Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis and let's face it, pretty much anything by Jill Shalvis)

 

Ok, ok.  I know, but seriously, if you haven't picked up a Jill Shalvis book you NEED to.  She's supposed to be at the RT convention this year and it is very likely that I will go all fan-girl crazy when I meet her!  Her books are hilarious AND steamy.

 

Much Ado About Magic by Shanna Swendson

 

I was so happy that Shanna decided to self-publish the rest of the Enchanted, Inc series and she has not disappointed.

 

The Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter

 

I soooo want to be a Gallagher Girl!

 

 

Shadows In The Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton

 

Wow, just wow.  That's all I can say for now.  You will have to check out my review in February.

 

Alex Van Helsing: The Triumph of Death by Jason Henderson

 

The finale of this great series.  I love Alex so much and am sad to see him go!  If HarperCollins or Harper Teen is reading this, please give us more of this seriously fun series!

 

The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

 

 Oh Jem!  Oh Will!  I think you both need hugs!

Well, that's the best I could do to narrow down my Top Ten.  I know, I know, I cheated a little bit, but seriously, it's tough to pick just 10!  So, what are your favorites from 2012?

~Shel

 

 

Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep

**** ½ 

From KTeen (Kensington)

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes—the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki—the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming. I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself…

Crimson Frost is fantastic!  In this fourth installment of the Mythos Academy Series, Jennifer Estep explores bullying and prejudice against Gwen when Logan’s Dad comes to town making accusations that Gwen is a Reaper and the toll it takes on Gwen and Logan's relationship.  We also learn more about Logan's past.  It was  fun to meet more people outside of Mythos Academy who are fighting against the Reapers.  

Crimson Frost is fast-paced, full of snark and sarcasm and just a great read.  The series just keeps getting better (which I didn't think was possible!).  This was the best Christmas gift Jennifer Estep and Kensington could have possibly given me! 

I cannot wait for Midnight Frost!  Why, oh why do I have to wait for July???

~Shel