Waiting on Wednesday

WoW is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine in which we share the titles of books that we can't wait to be released. 

Fox Forever (The Jenna Fox Chronicles #3) by Mary E. Pearson. Henry Holt & Company (BYR), March 19, 2013. 9780805094343.

Publisher synopsis: Locke Jenkins has some catching up to do. After spending 260 years as a disembodied mind in a little black box, he has a perfect new body. But before he can move on with his unexpected new life, he’ll have to return the Favor he accepted from the shadowy resistance group known as the Network.

Locke must infiltrate the home of a government official by gaining the trust of his daughter, seventeen-year-old Raine, and he soon finds himself pulled deep into the world of the resistance—and into Raine’s life.

Mary E. Pearson brings the story she began in The Adoration of Jenna Fox and continued inThe Fox Inheritance to a breathtaking conclusion as Locke discovers that being truly human requires much more than flesh and blood.

What are you waiting on?

What's New? Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga of Tynga Reviews. Pop on over there to share your new books and ogle what other bloggers got.

In last week's StS post, I mentioned that a pre-order arrived, but the post got a bit long and I forgot to edit that sentence out. Indeed, I didn't really proofread, since I just reread the post and found a typo.

Leftover and purchased:

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu. 374 p. G.P. Putnam's Sons/ Penguin Young Readers Group, January, 2013. 9780399256769. 

Publisher synopsis: The highly anticipated second book in Marie Lu's New York Times bestseller, LEGEND—perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT!

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

I thought that Legend was brilliant and am quite psyched to read this one.

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer. 454 p. Feiwel & Friends, February, 2013. 9780312642969.

Publisher synopsis: Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.  

Scarlet is another highly anticipated sequel for me. I found Cinder absolutely riveting.

Yoko Ono: collector of skies by Nell Beram & Carolyn Boriss-Krimsky. 177 p. Amulet Books, January, 2013. 9781419704444.

Publisher synopsis: This lyrical biography explores the life and art of Yoko Ono, from her childhood haiku to her avant-garde visual art and experimental music. An outcast throughout most of her life, and misunderstood by every group she was supposed to belong to, Yoko always followed her own unique vision to create art that was ahead of its time and would later be celebrated. Her focus remained on being an artist, even when the rest of world saw her only as the wife of John Lennon.

Yoko Ono’s moving story will inspire any young adult who has ever felt like an outsider, or who is developing or questioning ideas about being an artist, to follow their dreams and find beauty in all that surrounds them.

I can't remember where I read about this one. This was an impulse purchase. I don't know that much about her or John Lennon or the Beatles, really, other than a slightly more than passing familiarity with their songs.

For review:

Middle School: My Brother is a Big, Fat Liar (Middle School series #3) by James Patterson and Lisa Papademetriou. 267 p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, March 18, 2013. 9780316207546. 

Publisher synopsis: Georgia Khatchadorian plans to excel at Hills Village Middle School in all the places her troublemaking brother failed. She's even bet him that she'll quickly become one of the most popular girls in school. But Rafe left a big mark at HVMS, and no one will give Georgia a chance! Even worse, Rafe has sneakily signed up her band to play at the school dance, and she's terrified to embarrass herself in front of the snooty "Princesses" who run the school and the boy who's caught her eye. Will she be able to overcome her fears and win her bet with Rafe? Find out THE TRUTH about Rafe Khatchadorian's sister in the first Middle School story from the point of view of the hilarious Georgia--a girl who's ready to speak her mind!

This series is a favorite among my fifth graders. I'm reviewing it for SLJ.

I am swimming in books I can't wait to read! And, just in time for break too! I was supposed to have the next week off, but the break was shortened by two days thanks to hurricane Sandy. I am stuck supervising some work at my mom's house all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. But, I will bring a pile of books and, once the work is done, my sibs and I are done and the house can be put on the market, such as it is.

What's new with you? Happy reading!

Calling all Okay for Now fans!

I received an email the other day from Clarion with the news that Gary D. Schmidt's book, Okay for Now, has been chosen by NPR as a "Backseat Bookclub" selection at the end of February. Woo-who! Loved Okay for Now and was so disappointed that it didn't get any Newbery love last year. (It was a National Book Award finalist, and the audio version won an Odyssey Honor) Also love NPR, though I have to say I don't listen much since I keep an audiobook going at all times in my car. 

I will most certainly take a listen to the broadcast. Here's a link supplied by the publisher to submit questions. The email also noted that the book is being released in paperback and sports a brand new cover.

It's cool. I like it. I can just hear Doug saying, "Terrific." I like it more than the paperback cover of The Wednesday Wars, 

which was a huge improvement over the hardcover art. Yuck!

My beef with WW ppb cover has to do with the red Cons. I don't believe that they were available in colors in the late sixties, but I could be wrong. Additionally, I don't think many boys then or now would choose to wear red Cons. But, I could be wrong about that too.

I adored both books. Read them if you haven't yet.

Waiting on Wednesday

WoW is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which, we share the books we are most anticipating! 

I was sitting at my computer desk this afternoon (Tuesday) - er, or should I type yesterday afternoon, since I will be scheduling this to post tomorrow morning, um, I mean today, ah, Wednesday? 

:-/

As I was saying, I was flipping through my social media and idly wondering what I would "wait on" tomorrow, um, today, when what should pop into my newsfeed but a link to Maggie Stiefvater's blog with the cover reveal of the next Raven Boys book! 

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. 416 p. Scholastic Press, September 17, 2013. 978054542943.

This news is so hot-off-the-presses that there isn't even a synopsis on Amazon, where I got the publication info. There's no cover posted either. Over at BN, it's shown only as a Nook entry, no cover or synopsis there either. 

Personally, I don't need a synopsis, since I adored The Raven Boys and am totally on board for book 2. 

Top Ten Tuesday - Romance

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Of course, the theme this week is romance. Valentine's Day is on Thursday. I don't think I've ever shared my opinion about this particular holiday but they are nearly as strong as my opinion about Mother's Day (and Father's by default). It's artificial and an imposition. Firstly, loved ones and moms and dads should be treasured every day. If one is inclined to celebrate on a "special" day, don't spend a ton of money. Make it meaningful with home-made touches and attention, like conversation. Secondly, there are lots of folks without significant others or parents and the other-ness is kind of magnified on days like this.

My snark spills over into the romance novel. While I do love a good romance, my expectations are high and the minute the previously kick-ass heroine becomes an angsty fool, I'm done. Unfortunately, it seems to be the fate of heroines in most of the highly touted romances lately, paranormal and otherwise. As I perused the romance tags in my LJ blog and on Goodreads, I began to think that I ought to do a top ten idiotic romance list because there were more that I rolled my eyes over than thinking, "Oh yeah! That was cool." But I came up with a few.

1. Karou and Akiva in Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. I've read some reviews expressing disappointment over the lack of romance in the second book but I thought it was brilliant.

2. Puck and Sean in The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.  I thought this one was epic despite the fact that they barely share a kiss. Two likable, driven people after the same aim. This was a beautiful story.

3. PK and Critter from Jump by Elisa Carbone. This one was spunky and I just loved learning about climbing and the adrenaline rushes that climbers seek.

4. Charlie and Gloria in Freak Magnet by Andrew Auseon. This one is smart and funny.

5. Lennie Walker in The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.

6. Ophelia and Hamlet in Ophelia by Lisa Klein. In this re-imagining, Ophelia's suicide is a ruse. She was actually spirited away.

7. Mia and Adam from If I Stay and Where She Went.

8. Elizabeth Bennett and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

9. 

Okay, I'm out of time because I need to get ready for work.

Non-Fiction Monday: Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald

by Roxanne Orgill, illustrated by Sean Qualls. Candlewick Biographies. Candlewick Press, December, 2012. 9780763664596. (Borrowed.)

Ella Fitzgerald was poor but had a rich home life thanks to her mother's love of music. She and her sisters used to dance to her mother's records. Ella discovered that the folks of Yonkers would pay nickels to see her and her partner, Charlie dance on the street corner. She and Charlie even splurged on a trolley then train ride to the Savoy to learn new dance steps. Then, when Ella was fourteen, her mother died and she was sent to Harlem to live with her aunt, who gave little more than a roof over her head. After she ran away from an abusive situation in an orphanage, Ella lived hand-to-mouth and slept wherever a couch was offered. She lived rough. So rough that when she won a talent contest, she didn't get the week's worth of singing gigs because her clothes were dirty and so was she.

Told in prose that pops with rhythm and jazz lingo, this picture book biography is lusciously illustrated in acrylic, pencil and collage in a mostly pastel-ish palette featuring reds and rose. There's a page at the end containing suggestions for further reading, including a discography and a couple of web sites. It's even indexed. 

I'm not sure who the audience for this little treat is without it being introduced by an adult, say a language arts teacher doing a biography unit or a music teacher doing a unit on jazz. But do keep it in mind. 

Apparently, this is a reissue in a different format. It was originally published as a picture book size in 2010. Now, the trim size is smaller and taller and it's part of Candlewick Biographies. 

What's New? Stacking the Shelves - ALAMW Edition Part 3 Young Adult

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga of Tynga Reviews. Pop on over there to share you new books and ogle what other bloggers got.

I am still working through the arcs I found at Midwinter and so am resolved not to buy any books until I make a serious dent in those. I had pre-ordered some items though, and they came this week.

Arcs:

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith. 402 p. Poppy/ Little, Brown and Company, April, 2013. 9780316212823.

Publisher synopsis: If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

I read and enjoyed The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight in spite of myself. It was fluffy fun that definitely required parking logic at the door. This sound like fun.

Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff. 337 p. Little, Brown and Company, June 11, 2013. 9780316199681.

Publisher synopsis: They needed the perfect soldier: one who could function in every situation without fear, sympathy or anger; who could assassinate strangers and then walk away emotionally unscathed. So they made Boy Nobody-a teen with no name or history. The perfect soldier.

Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school, in a new town, under a new name, makes few friends and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die — of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and moves on to the next target.

But when he's assigned to the mayor of New York City, things change. The daughter seems so much like him; the mayor smells like his father. And when memories and questions surface, the Program is watching. Because somewhere, deep inside Boy Nobody, is somebody: the kid he once was, the teen who wants normal things like a real home and parents, a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's mission.

I've only read My Life, the Theater and Other Tragedies by this author. Alas, Food Girls and Other Things I Can't Have is languishing on TOM, the tar. This one sounds like a complete departure for the author and this tickles me.

The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr. 304 p. Little Brown and Company, May 7, 2013. 9780516229708.

Publisher synopsis: Lucy Beck-Moreau once had a promising future as a concert pianist. The right people knew her name, her performances were booked months in advance, and her future seemed certain.

That was all before she turned fourteen.

Now, at sixteen, it's over. A death, and a betrayal, led her to walk away. That leaves her talented ten-year-old brother, Gus, to shoulder the full weight of the Beck-Moreau family expectations. Then Gus gets a new piano teacher who is young, kind, and interested in helping Lucy rekindle her love of piano — on her own terms. But when you're used to performing for sold-out audiences and world-famous critics, can you ever learn to play just for yourself?

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr takes readers inside the exclusive world of privileged San Francisco families, top junior music competitions, and intense mentorships. The Lucy Variations is a story of one girl's struggle to reclaim her love of music and herself. It's about finding joy again, even when things don't go according to plan. Because life isn't a performance, and everyone deserves the chance to make a few mistakes along the way.

I had a "cover coincidence" moment when I saw the cover of this one. When I researched it, turns out the coincidence goes beyond the cover. Still, it's Sara Zarr and everything I've read of hers is consistently top-notch.

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey. 457 p. G.P. Putnam's Sons/ Penguin Young Readers Group, May 7, 2013. 978-39962411. 

Publisher synopsis: The Passage meets Ender's Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Yancey is one of my go-to authors for my reluctant readers. I adored his Alfred Kropp trilogy and the Monstrumologist books not only caused me to lose my lunch but also scared the pants off me. 

Second Impact by David Klass and Perri Klass. 279 p. Farrar Straus Giroux, August 6, 2013. 97803749964. 

Publisher synopsis: Kendall is football town, and Jerry Downing is the high school's star quarterback, working to redeem himself after he nearly killed a girl in a drunk driving accident last year. Carla Jenson, lead reporter for the school newspaper's sports section, has recruited Jerry to co-author a blog chronicling the season from each of their perspectives. When Jerry's best friend on the team takes a hit too hard and gets hurt, Carla wonders publicly if injury in the game comes at too high a cost in a player's life—but not everyone in Kendall wants to hear it...

This action-packed story will resonate with readers who have been following recent news stories are football injuries.

Of Triton by Anna Banks. 246 p. Feiwel and Friends/ Macmillan, May 28, 2013. 978125000331. 

Publisher synopsis: Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm. Syrena law states all Half-Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance in the Syrena world turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

Once again, Anna Banks infuses Emma and Galen’s points of view with humor, intrigue, and waves of romance.

I loaded Of Poseidon into my iPad last June for my trip to Annual and read it on the plane. I didn't review it, but liked it enough to pick up the arc to see where the story was headed. Good beach/ vacation reading.

That's all I have time for right now. Been working on this all morning during breaks from shoveling out 8 inches of snow. Heading down to my mom's house soon to shovel out the dumpster and load it up with the last of the "junk" accumulated over 51 years by a lovely woman who never threw a thing away.

Happy Reading! What's new with you?