I am combining two great blog hops: Stacking The Shelves (a Saturday feature by Team Tynga's Reviews), and Sunday Post (a Sunday feature by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer).
Both of these features give people a chance to post about what books
they received and also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what others
are excited about. I really enjoy seeing everyone's version of these
features! All book covers are linked to Goodreads, if you want to check them out. If you enjoy my
blog, please consider following me via Bloglovin, Networked Blogs, GFC,
or by email subscription. If you leave a comment and tell me you are a
new follower, I will follow you back!
Last Week on the Blog:
This past week, I reviewed a really fun YA Series by Ashley Poston. The first book, which I got from the Library, is called Geekerella. It's a modern re-telling of (you guessed it), Cinderella. The other book is The Princess and The Fangirl. I actually won that book in a Goodreads giveaway! Wishes do come true!
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Here are the links to these posts:
I also go approved for some ARCs and got lots of reviews lined up for July. I am really trying to read everything a month (or more) in advance. Wish me luck.
More Thoughts:
I've been really assessing what to do with my blog and book reviews. I don't get many hits on the blog, so I'm considering doing some reviews on either Instagram or YouTube. Have you done either of your reviews on those platforms? I would love to know your opinions on whether or not you watch book reviews on Instagram or YouTube.
In "Real Life":
This is my last week of vacation before the new job begins! My daughter and I took the Ferry in to San Francisco and spent the day there. It was so fun, but I got teary a bit when I thought about my kid leaving soon for college. I'll miss these outings.
We started at the SF Ferry Building. It was a foodies paradise with shops selling everything from locally made cheeses and oils, to mushroom jerky! Since my daughter is a vegetarian, we tried the veggie steamed bun at The Slanted Door's to go place called Out The Door. They were reasonably priced, delicious, and the perfect small portion.
Next we headed to SFMOMA for two exhibitions: The JR mural, The Chronicles of San Francisco, and the Andy Warhol collection. Both were amazing. I am a huge fan of JR. He is a French artist and humanitarian. His mural shows hundreds of regular San Francisco residents moving around a giant screen. You can then download an App, point it at any of the people, and it will tell you who they are with a short audio clip. Amazing! This piece really captured how diverse and wonderful San Francisco is. It was another fun trip and the perfect way to finish out my vacation.
New Books:
For Review:
Public Library:
That's it for this week. Have a great Fourth of July celebration (if your in the States, that is).
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Synopsis (From Goodreads):
The Prince and the
Pauper gets a modern makeover in this adorable, witty, and heartwarming
young adult novel set in the Geekerella universe by national bestselling
author Ashley Poston.
Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on
an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from
being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem
is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing
more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this
year's ExcelsiCon isn't her last, she'll consider her career derailed.
When
a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess
together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the
Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must
trade places to find the person responsible. That's easier said than
done when the girls step into each other's shoes and discover new
romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As
these "princesses" race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue
themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to
live happily ever after.
Review:
I won The Princess and The Fangirl from a Goodreads giveaway (wishes do come true!). Once I won that book, I had to go back and read Geekerella, (the first book in the series) which was a fun retelling of Cinderella. The Princess and The Fangirl, by Ashley Poston, is a retelling of the classic Mark Twain story, The Prince and The Pauper.
What I Liked:
Setting:
I loved that this takes place in the same universe as Geekerella, but focuses on one of the minor characters from that book, an up and coming startlet named Jessica Stone. While the first book took place mostly on a movie set, this book focuses more on a ComicCon called ExcelsiCon. We really get a feel for the culture of Cons: how much effort is made on costumes, going to see your favorite actors at panels, and the endless waiting in lines for everything from food to autographs. This was so much fun, especially if you've been to one of these conventions.
Characters:
The Princess of the title is Jessica Stone, an actress who plays the princess in a science fiction movie called Starfield. The Fangirl of the title is Imogen, a super fan of Starfield who is campaigning to get Jessica Stone back in the next movie, even though her character was killed off in the first movie.
Both Jessica and Imogen are clueless as to what the other is going through. Imogen thinks she is helping Jessica by campaigning on behalf of her character. Little does she know that Jessica has no interest in returning to the role. She is eager to move on to bigger and more serious roles. Similarly, Jessica really has no idea what her Starfield character means to the fandom. The Princess embodies the start of women's empowerment in sci/fi. But Imogen doesn't think the Princess's story should end. They both start to see the other's point of view by the end of the novel.
Story:
As with the original story, The Prince and The Pauper, the two main characters looked almost like long lost twins. This does seem unbelievable at first. But I was relieved to see that many of the characters were not fooled one bit by the switcheroo. The fun of mistaken identity continued in scenes where Imogen must navigate through meet and greets, and other fan encounters. Jessica encountered equally daunting scenarios such as working a Con booth, and going to a Karaoke party with "regular" people.
Inclusive Themes:
I liked that there were several characters who we knew were gay, and it was not a big deal. This was not a book about coming out. But it was one about embracing who you are. I was so glad that Jessica was more cautious about having friends sell her out to the tabloids over all sorts of things such as looking foolish, or not being perfectly stylish. She was not worried that people would find out she liked girls.
Rating:
Release Date: April 2nd, 2019
Author: Ashely Poston
Publisher: Quirk Books
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Length: 320 Pages
Source: Goodreads Giveaway
Format: E-Book
Recommendations: Another entertaining retelling, this time of The Prince and The Pauper. A fun, quick book.
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Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Cinderella goes to the con in this fandom-fueled twist on the classic fairy tale.
Part
romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs,
Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of
fandom. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield
movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon
Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play
Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at
the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s
determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first.
Teen
actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons—before he was famous. Now
they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing
Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the Starfield fandom has
written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws
near, Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who
shows him otherwise.
Review:
I am, one might say, a member of a geeky family. We watch Anime, Science Fiction, and Fantasy. My kids play Pokemon, and D & D. We also go to Cons (conventions like San Diego ComicCon). So Geekerella, set in the world of these Cons, was instantly going to make me interested.
This updated version of Cinderella was a charming YA rom-com. With many fun characters and situations, this book showed how seriously people take Cosplay! The romance was fun and believable. In short, this was a very entertaining read.
What I Liked:
Setting:
Because this is a Cinderella retelling, we get two very distinct settings. The "prince", Darien, is Hollywood royalty so he, obviously, is on a movie set. The Cinderella character, Elle, is wallowing in the shadows of her cranky step-mother and step-sisters in a small South Carolina town.
There were many small details that were really fun such as Elle working in a pumpkin-themed food truck, and the Ball being held at a ComicCon.
Characters:
While the settings may be completely different, both Darien and Elle feel controlled by others. Darien is working on a movie, a Star-trek like show called Starfield. He has a lot to live up to and must constantly exercise, keep away from carbs, and stay out of the tabloids. His father makes all the decisions for him.
Elle, whose father has died, is living with her step-mother and step-sisters. She mopes around her summer job, working for a pumpkin food truck. She feels trapped. Her one bright spot is her blog about all things Starfield.
I also enjoyed several of the side characters such as the step-sisters, Elle's coworker (who could actually be her fairy godmother), and the other actors on the set of Starfield. This attention to minor characters works great and invites the author to tell their stories in more detail in the sequels.
Story:
I loved the meet-cute, the behind the scenes look at movie making, and the fandom culture.
The "meet-cute" is very appropriate. Darien texts what he thinks is the person in charge of a ComicCon. He is trying to get out of appearing before rabid Starfield fans. Elle's dad (who has died) ran the Con and gets his message. Neither know who the other is and this makes for some very entertaining texts!
The story showed the not so glamorous life of an actor on a movie set. Darien had to constantly work out, keep to a strict diet, and do things for publicity like "date" his co-star. The one bright spot of his day is texting a mysterious girl.
Elle, looking for a bright spot in her life, begins working on a Cosplay of one of the Starfield characters. Can she win the costume contest and get to go to the Ball? I loved the respect shown to people who Cosplay. The effort and attention to detail that each person puts into a costume is mind-blowing.
What I Was Mixed About:
I found the characters of Elle's step-mother and Darien's father to be rather two-dimensional. By having the step-mom be in financial trouble she had some motivation for her behavior. But I felt she was so obsessed with her own life that she wouldn't have had the energy to be so terrible to Elle.
Darien's father was also a control freak who seemed eager to cash in on his son's success. Acting as his son's manager (never a good idea, by the way), he pulls every trick he can thing of to keep his son's career on track. But it's always in his own self-interest. He never treated Darien as an actual son. This seemed a little far-fetched to me.
Rating:
Release Date: April 4th, 2017
Author: Ashley Poston
Publisher: Quirk Books
Page Length: 320 Page
Source: Public Library
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A fun rom-com retelling of Cinderella. If you enjoy books about fandoms, you will really like this book.
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I am combining two great blog hops: Stacking The Shelves (a Saturday feature by Team Tynga's Reviews), and Sunday Post (a Sunday feature by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer).
Both of these features give people a chance to post about what books
they received and also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what others
are excited about. I really enjoy seeing everyone's version of these
features! All book covers are linked to Goodreads, if you want to check them out. If you enjoy my
blog, please consider following me via Bloglovin, Networked Blogs, GFC,
or by email subscription. If you leave a comment and tell me you are a
new follower, I will follow you back!
Last Week on the Blog:
I was only able to post one review, but I have lots of reviews in the works for the rest of the summer! I really enjoyed Something Like Gravity, by Amber Smith. It's about a transgender boy trying to figure out how to live his life after a brutal attack.
In Real Life:
I had my first introduction to my new manager and co-workers this week. They are so kind! I am super excited to begin work, and so very grateful for this opportunity! As a reward, I used my gift card at my local bookstore! So I have several new books to read. I have one more week of vacation before my new job begins. So I will be using this free time to binge read!
New Books:
Bought:
For Review:
That's it for this week. Happy Summer!
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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Chris and Maia aren’t off to a great start.
A
near-fatal car accident first brings them together, and their next
encounters don’t fare much better. Chris’s good intentions backfire.
Maia’s temper gets the best of her.
But they’re neighbors, at
least for the summer, and despite their best efforts, they just can’t
seem to stay away from each other.
The path forward isn’t easy.
Chris has come out as transgender, but he’s still processing a
frightening assault he survived the year before. Maia is grieving the
loss of her older sister and trying to find her place in the world
without her. Falling in love was the last thing on either of their
minds.
But would it be so bad if it happened anyway?
Review:
With an intriguing set up, and strong characters, Something Like Gravity, by Amber Smith, is sure to remind readers of other books such as Love, Simon. Chris and Maia are two complicated teens. Chris is transgender and still recovering from a vicious physical attack. Maia is trying to make sense of her life since the passing of her older sister. Both have fractured family lives. They are instantly drawn together. But will their secrets tear them apart?
The characters don't have all the answers, but they do want to grow as people. Although at times the pacing is slow, this book was romantic and ultimately, satisfying.
What I Liked:
Characters:
I really enjoyed the characters of Chris and Maia. Each of them have some serious baggage. Chris is in denial about his attack, trying mightily to handle his assault by burying it deep inside. He bristles when his family and friends make a fuss over him. Maia feels alone after her sister dies. It doesn't help that her parents are self-absorbed and seem oblivious to her sorrow. When she strikes out at other teens, the reader can see how even negative feelings are welcome. It gets her to feel less invisible.
Romance:
The relationship between Chris and Maia is very romantic. As with any summer romance there are fireworks, road trips, hot days, and sneaking out of the house at night. There is a powerful physical attraction between them as well. Their make-out scenes are tactful, but realistic (These are teens with raging hormones, after all).
via GIPHY
Story:
This is definitely a character driven book rather than an action driven one. The story takes its time getting us to know Chris and Maia, and for Chris and Maia to get to know each other. The big mystery, about when Chris was attacked, is revealed slowly. I was both wanting to know what happened and dreading knowing the truth. This element of the story could be a trigger problem for some people.
I really like the scene where Chris and his mom finally have an honest
discussion about their deep tensions since his coming out. His mother is not some awful trans-phobic person who finally learns to accept her son. She explains how she feels in a realistic way that is
beautiful and made me cry. I have rarely seen parents portrayed in a book with so much empathy and understanding.
What I Was Mixed About:
Story:
Maia's story is a bit of a puzzle for me. Maia has been telling Chris that she is a photographer. But that was the big interest of her deceased sister, Mallory, not her. It is a strange lie, but not earth-shattering as the book wants me to believe. I think she has a simple explanation for projecting herself onto Mallory's accomplishments (she missed her sister). But the book built this up to be a giant betrayal of Chris's trust.
This was the part of the book I liked the least. In romantic books there always has to be a reason to break the happy couple apart (otherwise there would be no story, right?). But Maia not coming clean about being a photographer seemed like a manufactured situation. I just don't think Chris should have been that upset by it.
Trigger Warning for physical and sexual violence.
Rating:
Release Date: June 18th, 2019
Author: Amber Smith
Publisher: Margaret K. McEderry Books
Genre: YA LGBTQI Romance Fiction
Page Length: 400 pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: Electronic PDF
Recommendation: A solid romance between complicated characters. You'll fall in love with Chris and Maia!
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I am combining two great blog hops: Stacking The Shelves (a Saturday feature by Team Tynga's Reviews), and Sunday Post (a Sunday feature by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer).
Both of these features give people a chance to post about what books
they received and also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what others
are excited about. I really enjoy seeing everyone's version of these
features! All book covers are linked to Goodreads, if you want to check them out. If you enjoy my
blog, please consider following me via Bloglovin, Networked Blogs, GFC,
or by email subscription. If you leave a comment and tell me you are a
new follower, I will follow you back!
On The Blog Last Week:
I reviewed two new books, both of which were great but for very different reasons. Paris, 7am, is about the young adult life of poet Elizabeth Bishop. I found it to be both beautifully written, and a sobering reminder of what gay people endured during the 1930's.
Happily and Madly is a YA Thriller that had me staying up late to finish it. I couldn't put it down. Below are links for my reviews.
In "Real Life":
School ended and I began my search to find a job that would be year-round (not getting paid in the summer has been challenging). With the encouragement of my husband and my brother, I updated my LinkedIn profile and started applying to jobs. I also had an interview and...
via GIPHY
I will be working at our school district's office! I am so grateful to be able to work with wonderful people in a setting where I am valued.
New Books:
Bought:
You know I had to celebrate after getting that job offer, right?
No new ARCs this week. I am furiously trying to read the ones I already have. I feel the need to read all ARCs before rewarding myself with books for my own amusement.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
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Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Maris Brown has been told two things about her destiny:
1. She will fall happily and madly in love.
2. She could be dead before she turns eighteen.
The
summer before that fateful birthday, Maris is in the wealthy beach town
of Cross Cove with her estranged father and his new family--and the
infamous Duvals. Since the youngest member of the Duval family, Edison,
is back from college and back in the arms of Maris's new stepsister, her
summer looks to be a long string of lazy days on the Duval's lush
beach.
But Edison is hiding something. And the more Maris learns
about him, the more she's given signs that she should stay as far away
from him as possible. As wrong as it is, Maris is drawn to him. Around
Edison, she feels truly alive and she's not willing to give that up.
Even if it means a collision course with destiny.
Review:
From the description given on Goodreads, one would think Madly and Happily, by Alexis Bass is a novel about forbidden summer love. It is. But it is also a fast-paced thriller filled with shady business deals, mysterious characters, and complicated relationships. Set against a backdrop of a summer resort town, this book was a page-turner.
What I Liked:
Setting:
The beach town of Cross Cove, with its mix of local residents and wealthy visitors, reminds me of my hometown of Santa Barbara, California. Hidden behind the glitzy exteriors of shops and restaurants that cater to tourists lies a seedy underbelly. In the case of Santa Barbara, there is a huge homeless problem. In fictional Cross Cove, the glamorous location hides drug trafficking, pay-offs, and possibly murder!
Characters:
Maris is the kind of broken teen that you know will make all the wrong choices in this story. She is reckless, sullen, and although she claims she is responsible for her own decisions, blames her father for what has gone wrong in her life. I liked Maris. She was conflicted about many of the hurtful things she did, but she shows us how people can justify bad behavior. She is a flawed human.
I really liked Sepp, Edison's brother. He is not one of the main characters, but he is really important to the story. I liked that, in an atmosphere where there were so many secrets, he was always a straight shooter. I would say that he is almost the moral compass for this story. Almost, because even though he points out how wrong everything is, he still is part of the sketchy goings-on.
Story:
I enjoy a good thriller and this was certainly a story that kept me on the edge of my seat. The wealthy Duval family seem too perfect to be real, and they are. Even though Edison is dating Chelsea, Maris's step-sister, it seems excessive that the Duvals take such an interest in Maris's whole family. The reasons become clear as the story progresses. There are some shady dealings going on. Could George, Maris's father, be involved?
The novel is fluctuates between a story about forbidden love and a criminal mystery. It certainly kept me guessing.
What I Was Mixed About:
The Romance:
I know Edison is supposed to be Mr. Charming, getting his way with just a brilliant smile. But I was taken aback by how he often shifted the blame of what he was doing to Maris. At one point in the story he tells her, "I hate it that you have to lie for me". He doesn't give her a choice, just points out that she will get in trouble if she doesn't do what he wants. It was extremely manipulative. I hated that Maris didn't seem to have a backbone with him. If she finds him so irresistible then I think she would want to lie for him, anyway. But it made Maris seem very insecure to be able to be convinced that she had as much to lose as him. She really didn't.
I also didn't like that Maris tries to justify betraying Chelsea by thinking it's fine because it somehow evens out what George (Maris's dad) did to Maris and her mother. One betrayal doesn't make another one okay.
Rating:
Release Date: May 21st, 2019
Author: Alexis Bass
Publisher: Tor Teen
Genre: YA Thriller
Page Length: 352 Pages
Source: Public Library
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A page-turning YA Thriller that would make a great summer beach read.
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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From Goodreads):
June 1937. Elizabeth
Bishop, still only a young woman and not yet one of the most influential
poets of the twentieth century, arrives in France with her college
roommates. They are in search of an escape, and inspiration, far from
the protective world of Vassar College where they were expected to find
an impressive husband, a quiet life, and act accordingly. But the world
is changing, and as they explore the City of Light, the larger threats
of fascism and occupation are looming. There, they meet a community of
upper-crust expatriates who not only bring them along on a life-changing
adventure, but also into an underground world of rebellion that will
quietly alter the course of Elizabeth’s life forever.
Paris, 7 A.M.
imagines 1937—the only year Elizabeth, a meticulous keeper of journals,
didn’t fully chronicle—in vivid detail and brings us from Paris to
Normandy where Elizabeth becomes involved with a group rescuing Jewish
“orphans” and delivering them to convents where they will be baptized as
Catholics and saved from the impending horror their parents will face.
Poignant and captivating, Liza Wieland’s Paris, 7 A.M. is a beautifully rendered take on the formative years of one of America’s most celebrated—and mythologized—female poets.
Review:
I love historical fiction novels, particularly about the early part of the twentieth-century. Throw in a Paris setting and I will eagerly read them. The central story in Paris, 7A.M., examines the dangers of being a lesbian during the 1930's, both in the United States and in Europe. I found the book to be hauntingly beautiful in its writing style. The only criticism I would have about this book is that the author assumes we all know who poet Elizabeth Bishop was, and how influential she would become. After a quick Google search, I was clued in and could truly appreciate this book.
What I Liked:
Narrative Style:
This book has a narrative style that is dream-like. Scenes volley between memories and current action. Timelines are seemingly optional. While this is confusing, at first, it becomes exhilarating.
Also, the descriptive nature of the writing is almost like Elizabeth Bishop's poetry (I actually did have some of her poems in my home in an anthology of 20th century poetry). Details are used to create impressions of mood and place. It was charming.
Story:
Although the synopsis from Goodreads makes this novel seem like it is all about Elizabeth Bishop's possible involvement with saving Jewish children just prior to the start of WWII, that is really only a small portion of the story. The book is actually about how young women who are gay find out how to live in a world that will crush them for being who they are. It's worth noting that this book debuts during Pride month. It is a stark reminder of how dangerous it is to who you are in a world that wants you to fit into an established mold.
Despite how careful Elizabeth is, she finds other lesbians and has some moments where she can let her guard down. Whether by accident or design, she gravitates toward women who are also gay. The tragedy is that in order to stay safe many of these women have to find husbands and pretend to be straight. Elizabeth, having an inheritance, is able to lead an independent life. You can understand her sorrow as she witnesses her friends efforts to blend in.
What I Was Mixed About:
Background:
My only very small criticism of this book is that I wish the author would have provided a small primer on who Elizabeth Bishop was. I am embarrassed to say that I wasn't familiar with her contributions to poetry and didn't know her life's story. This becomes an issue in the last portion of the book. There are several references to people that I didn't know about. After some researching, I realized that one of these people was a woman she was with for fifteen years! But there is no explanation as to how they fit into Elizabeth's life.
I will say that reading this book has inspired me to learn more about Elizabeth Bishop and her fascinating life.
Rating:
Release Date: June 11th, 2019
Author: Liza Wieland
Publisher: Simon Shuster
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Length: 352 pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A beautifully written book about a poet during her formative years. I would do a quick Google search prior to reading it to truly get all the references to people and important moments in Elizabeth Bishop's life.
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I am combining two great blog hops: Stacking The Shelves (a Saturday feature by Team Tynga's Reviews), and Sunday Post (a Sunday feature by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer).
Both of these features give people a chance to post about what books
they received and also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what others
are excited about. I really enjoy seeing everyone's version of these
features! All book covers are linked to Goodreads, if you want to check them out. If you enjoy my
blog, please consider following me via Bloglovin, Networked Blogs, GFC,
or by email subscription. If you leave a comment and tell me you are a
new follower, I will follow you back!
What's Happening on the Blog:
I've been working hard on lots of reviews (why is it that so many books are released in early June?). One ARC I really loved was Paris, 7am, by Liza Wieland. I found the narrative style so unique and fitting for a book about poet Elizabeth Bishop. My review will be up next week.
Reviews Last Week:
What's Happening in "Real Life":
This week was the last week of school, both for me as a special education aide, and for my daughter who is now a high school graduate! Because my daughter is our youngest, it's the end of an era for our family. It's been a week full of emotion and happy tears.
New Books:
Bought:
Yes, I bought a lot of new books this week! But, it was my birthday week, and (with the exception of We Hunt The Flame) they were on super sale on my Kindle.
For Review:
NetGalley:
That's it for this week. Have a wonderful start to your summer!
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