Flat-Out Love Tour: Review & Giveaway

My first book blog tour! I'm so excited! Check out the below post for my review of Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park and a giveaway. Later today I'll feature a guest post by Jessica Park on the recent Wall Street Journal article about YA literature.

Title: Flat-Out Love

Author: Jessica Park

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date: April 11, 2011

Date Read: June 27, 2011

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Goodreads

Summary

Flat-Out Love is a warm and witty novel of family love and dysfunction, deep heartache and raw vulnerability, with a bit of mystery and one whopping, knock-you-to-your-knees romance. 

Review

Wow! I reviewed Flat-Out Love on a whim, to take my first dive into the world of self-published novels. I am blown away by Jessica Park's humorous writing and amazing plot. I would consider this one of the best novels of 2011. You should definitely check it out!

The characters. Don't even get me started on the characters. Flat-Out Love has some of the most hilarious, quirky, realistic, emotional, and relatable characters I've ever read about. Even the characters you don't understand or particularly like are so well written that you can't help but love hearing their stories. There's been a recent complaint about a lack of parents or family members in YA novels but instead this book is all about family interactions. My favourite aspect of the novel was the modern language and technology. Facebook status updates to start each chapter and constant music references made Julie, Matt and Finn even more real and humorous to read about. This would make an awesome movie!

Jessica Park stated that she had problems publishing Flat-Out Love mostly due to Julie's age. I would consider this a young adult novel because even though Julie's in university her story is more about her emotional relationships than her schooling. More teenagers would connect with her trials and tribulations than older adult readers. I hope publishers in the future would reconsider novels with older teenagers because they're missing out on a huge demographic of readers and some awesome novels. 

I absolutely loved this book. I cried, I laughed, I cried again. It taught me so much about love and life, less about university and more about finding my way. I thought I had a pretty solid prediction about the ending and where all the characters would end up but never in a million years would I have pictured such a perfect ending. I didn't want it to end and if I could I'd have Jessica Park write another novel with all the unseen conversations, all the "missing pieces" throughout the year.

Quote: "If you can't stop thinking about someone's update that's called status cling."

Recommended: The Year of Secret Assignments (Jaclyn Moriarty), Am I Right or Am I Right (Barry Jonsberg), Audrey, Wait! (Robin Benway)

Flat-Out Love is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Paperback copies will be available soon.

GIVEAWAY

Throughout the tour we’re giving away three eBooks of ‘Flat-Out Love’ from Smashwords, so you can read the book in whichever format you’d like. Enter at each tour stop to increase your chances of winning.

Giveaway Rules

- Open internationally

- Comment on this post

- Fill out the form

- Bonus entries: promote the blog tour (tweet, sidebar link, blog entry, etc.)

- Giveaway ends midnight EST on July 12

Thank you  to Ashley at The Book Labyrinth for organizing this tour. Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour this week!

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Wednesday meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  Participants highlight an upcoming unpublished novel they're interested in.

Title: Fix Me
Author: Rune Michaels

Release Date: December 6, 2011
Publisher: Atheneum

Goodreads

Summary

Orphaned as a child, terrorized by her abusive brother, and haunted by memories, Leia feels exposed, powerless, and vulnerable. When her tormented mind can stand it no longer, she escapes to the zoo, where she finds shelter and seeks refuge. The zoo is a sanctuary: a protective space for families, and a safe place for the traumatized to forget. But can she ever feel safe? Can she ever forget?


Once again, Rune Michaels brings us a harrowing psychological drama that raises questions about the very nature of humanity. This chilling tale will challenge our preconceptions of family, memory, and self, leaving readers wondering, are we the pinnacle of evolution—or are we just animals on display?

I found Fix Me on another book blogger's "to-read" list and fell in love with the cover. Isn't it awesome?! Can't wait to read it this winter! 

The Queen of Water by Maria Virginia Farinango & Laura Resau

Title: The Queen of Water

Authors: Maria Virginia Farinango & Laura Resau 

Publisher: Dial

Release Date: March 8, 2011

Date Read: June 26, 2011

Rating: 4/5 stars 

Goodreads

Summary

Born in an Andean village in Ecuador, Virginia lives with her large family in a small, earthen-walled dwelling. In her village of indígenas, it is not uncommon to work in the fields all day, even as a child, or to be called a longa tonta—stupid Indian—by members of the ruling class of mestizos, or Spanish descendants. When seven-year-old Virginia is taken from her village to be a servant to a mestizo couple, she has no idea what the future holds.

In this poignant novel based on a true story, acclaimed author Laura Resau has collaborated with María Virginia Farinango to recount one girl's unforgettable journey to self-discovery. Virginia's story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world. It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope

Review

Wow! I haven't read a novel based on a true story in quite some time and have been missing that "truthful" feeling in my reading selections. Queen of Water seemed like the perfect choice and I was blown away by the beautiful writing and heart-wrenching story.

For no particular reason I haven't read much POC literature in the past few years but the few novels I have read were mostly set in North America. Queen of Water was my first foray into South America and I was enthralled by the culture and environment. I was shocked by the blatant racism between the indigena and mestiza peoples, a divide I'd never heard of before. I think it's necessary to portray racism outside of the usual "black vs white" so people understand the many faces of prejudice in our world.

As with many stories of abuse or neglect I often leave the book feeling embarressed about my average lifestyle in Canada. By the time Virginia was my age she had paid for her education, suffered and overcame abuse and poverty, and reconnected with her native culture. I envy Virginia's determination and think she is a character many younger readers should aspire to be like. After reading the novel I read several interviews with Maria Virginia Farinango on Laura Resau's website about her life after the book ended and it's uplifting to hear how successful and influential she became as an adult.

Quote: "I am not at all invisible. I am the served and I am the server. I am queen and I am dishwasher. I am rich and poor, indigena and mestiza, and no one can put me in a box."

Recommended: Sold (Patricia McCormick), The Indigo Notebook (Laura Resau)

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!