Updates & Announcements

Morning!

After a fantastic vacation at my cottage I am safely back home with my laptop and internet connection. Woot! I have a few announcements.

Debut Author Challenge

As some of you saw on Saturday, Jen at Lost in the Library and I are Team Canada for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge. I'm so excited! We'll be compiling a comprehensive directory of debuts by Canadian authors and publishers for next year's challenge. If you know of any debuts feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.

Booklover Discovers

Also on Saturday I was featured on Booklover Discovers, a meme spotlighting a YA book blogger each week, hosted by Chloe at YA Booklover Blog. Check out the interview! It was super easy and lots of fun to be featured. If you're interested in being featured in future weeks, check out Chloe's blog for more detail.

Canada Day Blog Hop

My Canada Day Blog Hop Giveaway ended this weekend! The winner of a paperback copy of Leap by Jodi  Lundgren is:

 Tatiana!

Congratulations Tatiana! Thank you to everyone who entered and advertised the giveaway. Can't wait for my next contest.

In the past week I have gained approximately 30 new followers. Welcome everyone! I'll be doing a Q&A in a few weeks to properly welcome and introduce you all to The Zealous Reader.

Happy 4th of July to all my American followers!

In My Mailbox (20)

In My Mailbox is a weekly Sunday meme by The Story Siren where participants show what books and swag they received this week through a store, library, or publishing house.



(ignore the butt shot, I have no idea how to change the picture)

For Review

Dust & Decay (Jonathan Maberry)
Forbidden (Tabitha Suzuma)
Fury (Elizabeth Miles)
Swear (Nina Malkin)

Textual Healing (Eric Smith)
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Michelle Hodkin)
Witchlanders (Lena Coakley)

NetGalley

Blood (K.J. Wignall)

Tris & Izzy (Mette Ivie Harrison)

Wannabee Book Hipster (10)

Wannabee Book Hipster is a weekly Saturday post by The Zealous Reader. Every Saturday I will feature two novels I loved with under 200 reviews on Goodreads. Hopefully this will give underrated authors more publicity and diversify "to-read" piles.

More Than You Can Chew

Marnelle Tokio

October 28, 2003

TundraBooks

Goodreads

Summary

Marty Black has retreated from a difficult family situation into the area she can best control, her own appetites. She may not be able to control her parents’ behavior, but she can decide what she will and will not eat. Eventually, she stops eating altogether. Marty is close to death when she finally asks for help and finds herself in a psychiatric institution. But recognizing her need for help is only the first tenuous step on a long road to recovery.

Marty’s ability to find a way to live, despite the powerful lure of anorexia, is the core of this fine, insightful novel.
Marnelle Tokio’s semi autobiographical story will resonate with every teenager who faces issues of family, body image, and self-confidence.

The Heights

Brian James

April 27, 2009

Feiwel & Friends

Goodreads

Summary

Henry liked to imagine his life began that cold rainy day in San Francisco when Mr. Earnshaw found him shivering by the side of the road. That was the day Henry met Catherine. For Henry, Catherine is like a precious gift. She pushes away his angry thoughts and makes him feel safe and calm. And though Mr. Earnshaw, a widow, raises the orphan and Catherine as brother and sister, their love for each other goes much deeper. They vow to always be together.

But everything changes when Mr. Earnshaw dies suddenly and Hindley, Mr. Earnshaw's own son, gains control of the family finances. Furiously jealous, Hindley never accepted Henry as a true member of the family. He works to sever Henry's relationship with Catherine and the violent rage Henry has harbored since he was a child bubbles to the surface. . . .

Contemporizing the classic novel, Wuthering Heights, notable YA author, Brian James delives into the dark nature of obsessive love, the social injustices of class, and the self-destructive power of revenge in this emotionally raw unforgettable offering.

If you'd like to post your own Wannabee Book Hipster, leave a link in the comments.

Happy Canada Day & TGIF

Happy Canada Day!

If you haven't already, check out my Canada Day Giveaway. It's open to US & Canadian residents. If you're a Canadian resident from Ontario, hopefully you can be a part of our YA book blogger meetup on September 25th. Check out the giveaway post for more details.

As I enjoy the warm sun at my cottage for the weekend I hope you're all having an awesome Canada Day!

Unfortunately Book Blogger Hop's question of the week hadn't been announced when I wrote this post on Wednesday. I'll be sure to do it next week!

TGIF 

A book-question and weekly recap meme hosted by Ginger at GReads.

"Mr. & Mrs: Who are your favorite book couples?"

Romance. The best part of most YA novels. Love it! Some of my favourite couples have stuck with my for years and others are new loves. My top 8 is:

• Annabel & Owen, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
• Daine & Numair, The Immortals series by Tamora Pierce
• Lyra & Will, His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman
• Tessa & Adam, Before I Die by Jenny Downham
• Calwyn & Darrow, Chanters of Tremaris series by Kate Constable
• Claire & Henry, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• Alianne & Nawat, Daughter of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce
• Clary & Jace, The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Did you do a TGIF? Post your link in the comments and I'll be sure to check it out!

The Line by Teri Hall

Title: The Line

Author: Teri Hall

Publisher: Dial

Release Date: March 4, 2010

Date Read: June 23 - 26, 2011

Rating: 2.5/5 stars 

Goodreads

Summary

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It's said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.


Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel's dad died in the last war. It's a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.


Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

Review

I've been captivated by The Line's cover since it was released in early 2010 and have been waiting to get my hands on it for ages. I had such high expectations especially after receiving several recommendations from other bloggers. While I did enjoy the book, I was mainly disappointed with the characters and young reading level.


I am hesitant to categorize The Line as a middle-grade read. While Rachel's age was never stated I gathered from her language and thought process that she'd be around 12-13. I was really thrown off when chapters would alternate with Vivian, her mother. To me YA is a perspective not a reading level, so to read a YA novel with an adult and a middle-grade perspective was very odd. 


Many of the characters seemed stereotypical and cliched rather than original and refreshing. The silent old man in the greenhouse, the strict old lady in the mansion, the Mom with secrets, the rebellious daughter. I felt like I'd already read this book before I even finished the first few chapters. Most of the dialogue between the characters seemed forced, especially when the plot history was conveyed in "history lessons" rather than in thoughts, explanations, or memories.


I absolutely loved the premise of The Line. Novels with such a rich history especially a focus on political strife are favourites on my bookshelf. This book had such promise with a totally realistic plot about military action, a pinch of supernatural/paranormal activity, and an old fashioned mystery. Unfortunately, tied with the overdramatic characters and unrealistic plot line I didn't really connect to the story as a whole. I found the pacing too fast, then too slow, too focused on history, then too focused on irrelevant characteristics. I found the ending very abrupt and sudden. I was finally invested in the plot and intrigued to see where it would lead when it just ended. Hopefully the sequel will pick up exactly where The Line left off. 


Constructive criticism aside, I am eager to read the sequel to see if the plot improves and see what becomes of Rachel. 

Favourite Quote: Couldn't find one!

Recommended: The Giver (Lois Lowry), The Declaration (Gemma Malley), The Compound (S.A. Bodeen), Among the Hidden (Margaret Peterson Haddix)

Canada Day Blog Hop: Meetup & Giveaway!

Happy Canada Day!

To celebrate Canada Day I am participating in the Canada Day Blop Hop created by Aislynn at Knit, Purl, Stitch, Read & Cook and Chrystal at Snowdrop Dreams of Books. Each blog participating is posting a Canada-themed post and giveaway from June 29th to July 2nd. The best part? All giveaways are open to Canadians!


My Canada-themed post is: Meet-Ups!


I've spoken to a few fellow Canadian YA book bloggers and I think it'd be awesome if we could all meet up at some point. Of course, not all of us live near Toronto or would be able to travel there but it's a central spot where the majority of us could meet at. What's a better venue than Word on the Street! If you are free on September 25th and are able to make it Toronto, send me a Tweet/comment/email. If there's enough interest hopefully we can all get together.

I am giving away one copy of Leap by Jodi Lundgren. This is her most recent YA novel, published on March 1, 2011.

When life is changing, sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith in yourself.


Natalie Ferguson has just turned fifteen, a momentous age that, happily, means that she's officially a grown-up. But while her mom doesn't seem to have got the memo, Kevin, her best friend Sasha's older brother, has. The school year is over, and Natalie is looking forward to a summer of perfecting her technique at dance camp. Caught up with the excitement of Kevin's attention, their relationship quickly becomes intimate and all-consuming.


Natalie's summer is a mix of amazing highs and dramatic lows. She goes from being in love and lust with Kevin to realizing that he is not the guy she thought he was, and she may have lost her friendship with Sasha in the process. Then, just when she's ready to turn to her single mom for advice, she learns that her mother is now in love with a woman. Losing her virginity, dealing with her new understanding of her mother, and trying to renegotiate her relationships, Natalie clings to her dancing as the only sure thing in a life suddenly full of questions.

Giveaway Rules

• One entry per person
• Open to US/Canadian residents only
• Must be 13-years-old minimum
• +1 entry for GFC follower
• +1 entry for Twitter follower
• +1 entry for tweet

Fill out this form to be entered. 

Giveaway closes on July 2nd at midnight. Winner will be randomly selected on July 3rd and will have 48 hours to respond to my email to claim the prize. 

Check out some of the other blogs on the hop for more awesome giveaways!

Something Wicked by Lesley Anne Cowan

Title: Something Wicked

Author: Lesley Anne Cowan

Publisher: Puffin Canada

Release Date: June 1, 2010

Date Read: June 19 - 22, 2011

Rating: 3/5 stars 

Goodreads

Summary

Melissa’s most recent troubles stem from a secret: her 28-year-old boyfriend, Michael, has just broken up with her. Melissa clings to the memories, riding a relentless wave of hope and disappointment. Meaningless sexual escapades, drunken nights, and drug-induced blackouts help her cope with heartbreak, but her pain goes much deeper than unrequited teenage love. Her insight, sense of humour, optimism, and sheer determination prove to be saving graces, as is her ability to find solace in the Greek myths she’s learned about in grade ten English class. And in the end, it is Melissa’s mother who proves to be the real victim, and Melissa who must save her.

Review

I found Something Wicked at my local library and was intrigued by the awesome cover and the Canadian author sticker. I love Canadian authors, especially forgotten ones like Lesley Anne Cowan. I had no idea what to expect out of the book and was caught completely off guard by it's dark plot and characters. 


Melissa was such an interesting character to read about. While I sympathized with her plight to define herself separate from her negative home environment and previous history I was also frustrated with the choices she made about her education, sexual experience, friends, and substance abuse habits. I loved how the novel wasn't about one central "thing" that happened to her but rather a conglomeration of her ADD, poverty, breakup, and home life. Rather than focusing on one issue Lesley Anne Cowan made Melissa as real as possible because we each face multiple problems and roadblocks in our every day life that shape the person we become. 


As I struggled to empathize with Melissa I was shocked by her comparison to Greek mythological characters. She identified as both Echo and Sisyphus, doomed forever to repeat both her actions and words. Her beautiful descriptions of her thoughts and experiences turned her from a trashy lost teenager to a scared young woman in my mind. 


As someone who has never tried drugs before I am very uncomfortable reading stories where characters are obsessive or regular users. Seeing how it controls their lives and changes them is a "birth control" on drug usage for me. However I'm glad that substance abuse novels are written because they can be awesome tools and resources for youth trying to overcome their own vices. In the recent #yasaves/WSJ incident it was mentioned that teens need literature that mirror their own lives to give them hope. I'm really glad that all of Melissa's actions had serious and realistic repercussions to show other teenagers that you can't get a "free ride" in life, that there are consequences for poor or illegal behaviour. 

Favourite Quote: "I'm somewhere between being in love and having my heart destroyed. I'm trapped in a waiting room, not permitted to feel bliss or misery. It's like knowing you won the lottery but not having the ticket in your hand. Or being given a death sentence by a doctor but forgetting to ask just how long you have left."

Recommended: Crank (Ellen Hopkins), Not Like You (Deborah Davis), Get Well Soon (Julie Halpern), The Freak Observer (Blythe Woolston)