Book Review: Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar

For Abbie, her life revolves around three things: art, the ocean, and Kane, her broody surfer step-cousin.  Always out of reach, Abbie watches him and obsesses over him.  But when Kane comes back from a mysterious surf trip to an even more mysterious island, Abbie senses that something is wrong.  Kane carries a darkness that threatens to envelop them both.

It’s hard to summarize Eagar’s brilliant, darkly gothic novel without giving too much of it away.  The book is about a girl with a heightened emotional state, and maybe because of this heightened state (or in spite of?), supernatural events begin to occur.  Readers looking for an intensely atmospheric and engrossing tale should look no further than this one.  Eagar somehow manages to spin a paranormal tale that feels firmly rooted in the real world.  I’ve said it before and it might as well be my mantra: Eagar is an author to watch.

The atmosphere isn’t the only aspect of Eagar’s novel that entraps the reader.  Vivid, authentic characters propel the narrative forward.  Abbie is raw and flawed, and her obsession with Kane is only one thing that clouds her judgment.  Her love of painting distorts reality for her, as she struggles to see beyond the surface of things.  Her creative impulses mirror her other impulses, and readers will find her exasperating as well as worth rooting for.

Kane is harder to like, but because of Abbie’s fixation on him, it’s hard not to see the appeal.  He’s the quintessential surfer with a darker side, and while he’s definitely a selfish, hardened character, there’s no questioning his attraction.  Eagar is especially adept at creating characters who feel undeniably real: they may not be what you expect, and the story is the better for it.

Tension abounds in this taut novel.  Not every reader is going to “get” this one, and it’s certainly not the Eagar novel I’d recommend a person start with, but it has no shortage of merits.  Eagar’s prose is pitch-perfect, lush, and evocative.  There’s never a moment where she’s not in total control of her words, and the story moves along at a great clip as a result.  This is a stunning novel, and one that will stick with you long after you’ve reached the novel’s satisfyingly murky conclusion.

Recommended.

Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar. Penguin Books Australia: 2012.  Purchased copy.

February Recap

Books:

Total Books: 10  | YA/MG: 5 | Adult: 5  | Fiction: 10  | Non-fiction:  0 | Re-reads: 5
Hardcover: 2  | Paperback:  2 | Kindle:  4 | Phone: 1
Pages Read: 2,798 | Pages Per Day: 100

Best Book(s) Read: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Most Disappointing Book(s) Read: Janie Face to Face by Caroline B. Cooney

Movies:
Total Movies:  9 | Comedy:   | Drama:  | Horror:
New:  7 | Re-watch:  2  | Theater: 3

Best Movie(s) Watched: Hello I Must Be Going, Argo, Life of Pi
Worst Movie(s) Watched: N/A

Goals for Next Month:

• FINISH J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy or decide to really give it up
• Read at least 10 books
• Post at least 20 days out of the month
• Watch at least 10 new movies

Happy reading and watching, y’all.

Waiting on Wednesday: Lauren Yanofsky Hates the Holocaust by Leanne Lieberman

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  Its purpose is to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

This week I’m eagerly awaiting:

Lauren Yanofsky Hates the Holocaust by Leanne Lieberman

Expected Release Date: April 1, 2013

Lauren Yanofsky doesn’t want to be Jewish anymore. Her father, a noted Holocaust historian, keeps giving her Holocaust memoirs to read, and her mother doesn’t understand why Lauren hates the idea of Jewish youth camps and family vacations to Holocaust memorials. But when Lauren sees some of her friends–including Jesse, a cute boy she likes–playing Nazi war games, she is faced with a terrible choice: betray her friends or betray her heritage. 
Told with engaging humor, LYHH isn’t simply about making tough moral choices. It’s about a smart, funny, passionate girl caught up in the turmoil of bad-hair days, family friction, changing friendships, love–and, yes, the Holocaust.

(summary via Goodreads)

This sounds like a middle-grade book to me, but I’m not sure.  There’s not a ton of information about it on Goodreads, and it’s definitely not going to be one of the feel-good hits of the spring.  But–but.  The Holocaust is something deeply important to me and my family, and I think it’s something that doesn’t get covered enough in books for young people.  So without worrying over how didactic this one is going to be, I’m going to look forward to it and can’t wait to read it.  The title is eye-catching and the premise is solid.  This is definitely one I’m going to go out of my way to get my hands on.

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  Its purpose is to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

This week I’m eagerly awaiting:

The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Expected release date: May 7, 2013

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl’s body isn’t just unknown, it’s anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

(summary via Goodreads)

I mean, what can I really say about this one?  I just think it sounds really cute.  It’s going to be perfect summer fluff reading.  I think we all know how this one will end, and most of us can probably predict how it will get there.  This kind of book isn’t about the surprises or even really the journey, it’s about pure escapism.  And sometimes that’s okay.  I can’t wait to read this one, especially if it’s done well.  Totally fun, and something I’m really looking forward to (especially as I’m looking for every possible distraction from doing finals work for grad school right now).

What are you waiting on this week?

Viewed this Week (34)

Inspired by Ticket to Anywhere’s What I Watched, I post on Sundays about what movies and/or TV shows I watched the week before.  Some weeks will be epic, and some weeks…won’t be.  Let’s get to it!

TV:
Happy Endings 3×6 – “To Serb with Love”
New Girl 2×11 – “Santa”
The Mindy Project 1×9 – “Josh and Mindy’s Christmas Party”

Movies:
Pitch Perfect

Thoughts on what I watched:

This week’s Happy Endings was fun.  The show has some of the most consistently snappy dialogue, and it never disappoints.

I think this week’s episode of New Girl was one of my favorites in a while.  I actually laughed out loud several times, and the scene with Nick tries to lap dance only to be replaced by his stripper girlfriend only to have her replaced by Schmidt was pretty much my favorite moment of the week.  I still don’t love that Olivia Munn is on the show and hope her run is brief, but overall this was a great episode and I’m happy that Jess and Sam are back together (because Sam is a tall glass of water).

The Mindy Project this week was also pretty great, actually.  It might have been my favorite episode of the show’s run so far.  I love that Ellie Kemper guest starred.  Don’t get me wrong: I think the show has a long way to go, and I think that Chris Messina is absolutely wasted in his role, but this was an entertaining half hour.

I made J. watch Pitch Perfect last weekend and I don’t think he liked it very much (he claims he didn’t hate it).  But I still love this movie.  I love it.  I don’t know why it makes me so happy, but it does.  I just think it’s super fun. And stupid.  Sometimes, that’s all you need.

What did you watch this week?

Book Review: The Year of the Beasts by Cecil Castellucci

For as long as they can remember, Tess and her younger sister Lulu have gone to the carnival.  Summers mean the trucks roll in and bring the delights of the carnival to their town.  This year, both girls are finally old enough to attend unchaperoned.  This means they can experience the carnival in a new way, and that means they can experience the carnival with boys.  But with these new experiences comes new jealousies, and the girls are about to experience a summer that will end in tragedy and forever alter the lives of everyone involved.

There are actually two stories at work in Castellucci’s novel: the story of the sisters, told through prose, and a retelling of the mythology of Medusa, told through comic/graphic novel format.  While the stories eventually converge, this is a jarring transition, and many readers will struggle to make sense of what is happening on the page.

Part of the problem with the dual narration is the fact that one of the stories is so much stronger than the other.  The story of Tess and Lulu is so much more powerful and emotionally resonant than the Medusa storyline, and yet it gets swallowed up by the mythology.  The exploration of jealousy and being lost in a sibling’s shadow would have been plenty for this slim novel, and yet it seems as though Castellucci wasn’t willing to let it stand on its own.

All that being said, Castellucci is a talented writer.  Readers will race through this one to see how it ends (it’s fairly predictable yet oddly compelling), or they’ll tear through it because they don’t quite understand what’s happening.  Either way, it’s likely this one will see most of its readers through to the end.

The Year of the Beasts by Cecil Castellucci. Roaring Brook Press: 2012. Read for 2012 Cybils Round 1 Panel.

 

Book Review: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

When Min breaks up with Ed, she decides to write a letter detailing exactly why they are breaking up.  With the letter comes a box full of things: bottle caps, movie tickets, matches, books, toys, earrings, and every other item collected over the course of Min and Ed’s whirlwind relationship.  All of the items are explained as Min works through her thoughts about their relationship, eventually dumping the box and the letter at Ed’s house.

There’s a lot of great stuff in Daniel Handler’s novel (with beautiful art by Moira Kalman), but perhaps the book’s greatest accomplishment is how well it captures the feeling of first love for two people.  Smartly written and excellently paced, Handler’s novel is a testament to first love and first heartbreak and is definitely a standout book.

Min and Ed are total opposites: he’s a total douche-jock and she’s an arty, film-obsessed loudmouth.  Despite the fact that no one else can figure out why Min and Ed are together, their love story works, and it’s absolutely something readers can relate to.  As the story unfolds and Min begins to explain the significance of all the objects, readers are given access to the underside of Min and Ed’s story, and it’s a fascinating one.

What could be a fairly ordinary “opposites attract” love story is given new life through Handler’s exquisite storytelling.  He makes his characters crackle with chemistry, and there’s so much honesty and authenticity in this book that it’s hard to put down or look away.  This is a strong novel in every sense of the word with tons of crossover appeal.

The only downside to this near-perfect book comes near the end, with a conclusion that feels a little rushed and a little too cliche.  Most readers will be willing to overlook this, though, as this is a poignant coming-of-age story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last beautifully-colored page.

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler. 2011: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Library copy. Read for 2012 Cybils Round 1 Panel.

Waiting on Wednesday: Also Known As by Robin Benway

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  Its purpose is to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

This week I’m eagerly awaiting:

Also Known As by Robin Benway

Expected release date: February 26, 2013

ALSO KNOWN AS is the story of Maggie, a gifted teenage safecracker, who works alongside her parents as a spy for the mysterious entity known as the Collective. When she’s assigned to infiltrate a private Manhattan high school, she’s forced to make friends, investigate the mysterious Jesse, and solve the case, all without blowing her cover.

(summary via Goodreads)

This sounds like a pretty cute, maybe silly YA contemporary read, and I’m definitely in, despite not having much of a description.  I like Benway’s books in general and definitely consider her an author to watch, so this one is on my radar based on author reputation alone.  This one seems like total book candy.  Fans of the Gallagher Girls series will probably want to mark their calendars for the release of this one.

What are you waiting on this week?

 

Book Review: Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy

When 12-year-old Lilah Bloom is struck by lightning at her mom’s wedding, she discovers she has a new skill: she can hear dead people.  They are everywhere, and they are verbose.  Her Bubby is one of the most opinionated ghosts, and she wants Lilah to help her get Lilah’s dad dating again.  All of this means Lilah must navigate the stress of seventh grade while also dealing with chatty ghosts–and somehow, she’ll have to try to work up the courage to talk to her crush, Andrew Finkel.

Joanne Levy’s debut middle grade novel takes a premise that could be sort of frightening–being surrounding by the voices of ghosts all the time–and subverts it by making light and a little silly.  Lilah’s frank voice feels authentic and is frequently very funny.  The supporting characters are vivid, and there’s just a touch of romance that will appeal to readers but won’t put parents on the offense.

While it could easily fall into the trap of being too silly or too slapstick, Levy walks the line carefully and successfully.  She creates a strong narrator in Lilah and allows her cultural identity and strong family ties to enhance the story, giving it a great deal of heart along with the (very real, very funny) humor.

Although it falls into the paranormal genre based on its premise alone, Levy’s book transcends its fantastical plot elements and offers some very real commentary on middle school.  Lilah has to navigate all the things that a normal seventh grader has to, and she has to do it while attempting to ignore the advice and commentary of invisible ghosts.  Readers will be able to relate to the real stuff happening in Lilah’s life while being entertained by the ghostly stuff, too.

This is a quick read that will work for reluctant readers. Levy never panders to her audience.  A definite stand-out in the paranormal middle grade market, this is an author to watch.

Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy. Bloomsbury: 2012. Library copy.

Movie Blather and Randomness

Gentle readers, it’s time for another installment of movie blather and randomness, wherein I give you the latest (or latest-ish) news relating to all things movies.  Without further ado, let’s get to the news!

1. 10 Years Trailer doesn’t look terrible

The movie, which aims to be a reunion comedy, doesn’t actually look terrible. Sure, there are plenty of cliches to be found here, but the cast is fairly impressive, and the movie looks like fun.  This is the kind of thing that I not-so-secretly love.  Plus, it’ll be interesting to see Channing Tatum act against his real-life wife, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, again.

2. Disney’s The Rocketeer might get a reboot

Despite the fact that the 1991 film was kind of a dud, I totally loved it (I used to pretend to be Jennifer Connelly and wish for one of those white silky dresses).  There are things about the film that could work in a reboot, to be sure.  I just…I kind of love the original, just for the camp-factor alone.  At any rate, Vulture’s got the whole run-down, and it’s worth a look.

3. Trailer for Butter is part Election, party crazy

Just in time for the State Fair circuits (which is what I thought of immediately) is the much pushed-back release of the trailer for Butter, a movie starring Jennifer Garner, Ty Burrell, and Olivia Wilde.  The film looks to be a dark, quirky look at some people in the south who like to make statues out of butter or something.  I’m not quite sure, and honestly could go either way on this one.  What do you think?

4. Girl Who Played with Fire won’t get a release in 2013

This one is interesting, if only because it’s so far off my radar it’s back on it.  That made the kind of sense that didn’t, right?  I saw the Fincher adaptation of the first of the Millennium Trilogy, and it was fine.  You know, it was okay.  Because I’m not a fan of the books and because I waited for the DVD, this isn’t a franchise that I’m obsessively tracking.  However, I do find it interesting that the film didn’t do as well as expected, and it seems as though there isn’t a ton of heat on getting this one made quickly. (Cinemablend)

5. Teaser trailer for Passion will cause buzz because of the girl-on-girl action, obvi

Ever since the Toronto International Film Festival posted the teaser trailer for Brian De Palma’s Passion (a remake of a French film called Love Crime), the internet’s been all atwitter about it.  It stars Noomi Rapace and Rachel McAdams and looks to be deeply creepy…and also obviously sexy. Honestly? I think both actresses are beautiful and talented, and I’ll probably see it for the buzz alone.  Not my usual fare, though.