Waiting on Wednesday: The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

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 Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

Expected Release Date: May 7, 2013

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.

(summary via Goodreads)

Sara Zarr is obviously a huge name in the YA world.  She writes stories that are beautiful, moving, and memorable.  This one looks to be no different, as she sets up a fascinating premise that is sure to hook readers.  I like the idea of a pianist rediscovering her love of the instrument.  I haven’t read a lot of YA novels about musicians or child prodigies, so this one should be interesting.  You can’t really go wrong with Sara Zarr, right?

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise

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 Boyfriend App by Katie Sise

Expected Release Date: April 30, 2013

In The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, super-smart, somewhat geeky Audrey McCarthy can’t wait to get out of high school. Her father’s death and the transformation of her one-time BFF, Blake Dawkins, into her worst nightmare have her longing for the new start college will bring.

But college takes money. So Audrey decides she has to win the competition for the best app designed by a high schooler—and the $200,000 that comes with it. She develops something she calls the Boyfriend App, and suddenly she’s the talk of the school and getting kissed by the hottest boys around. But can the Boyfriend App bring Audrey true love?

(summary via Goodreads)

I’m in the mood for something light this week, because I’ve been reading a lot of very dark (but very good) stuff lately.  This cute contemporary YA novel looks to be right up my alley.  I love the incorporation of technology and science to the book, and I love that the science geek is a female.  I’m sure this one won’t reinvent the wheel, but it does look to be a totally enjoyable read.  The great news is that it comes out at the end of April, so I don’t even have to wait that long for it!

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu

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:

OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu

Expected release date: June 13, 2013

When Bea meets Beck, she knows instantly that he’s her kind of crazy. Sweet, strong, kinda-messed-up Beck understands her like no one else can. He makes her feel almost normal. He makes her feel like she could fall in love again.
But despite her feelings for Beck, Bea can’t stop thinking about someone else: a guy who is gorgeous and magnetic… and has no idea Bea even exists. But Bea knows a ton about him. She spends a lot of time watching him. She has a journal full of notes. Some might even say she’s obsessed.
Bea tells herself she’s got it all under control, but this isn’t a choice, it’s a compulsion. The truth is, she’s breaking down… and she might end up breaking her own heart.

(summary via Goodreads)

This one looks like a cute contemporary YA read.  It’ll be perfect for the summer, when I’m looking for lighter reads to sink my teeth into.  The cover is cute, bright, eye-catching, and doesn’t feature part of a girl’s face, so let’s call that a win, you guys.

What are you waiting on this week?

Book Review: Don’t Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

Joy Delamere’s asthma has impacted her her entire life.  She feels as though she can’t breathe constantly–and it’s not just the fact that her lungs have a tendency to close up.  Her boyfriend Asher has exerted total control over her to the point where she’s hurting–physically and emotionally.  So Joy makes a drastic decision: she’ll give up her suburban life and attempt to make it on the streets of Seattle.  With the help of a homeless boy named Creed, Joy learns the hard way that being homeless is even harder than she’d ever dreamed.

Cupala’s novel tries to combine two stories: an abusive relationship and a coming-of-age love story.  While Cupala’s writing is fairly compelling and gripping, the two stories don’t entirely come together, making for an uneven read.  However, many readers should be willing to overlook the uneven plotting and enjoy the dark, fast-paced story.

Joy’s narration is authentic and compelling.  Her voice is well-developed from the start, and the quick pacing of the novel should hook even reluctant readers.  The secondary characters vary in terms of development, but there are a few standouts: Creed is gentle and supportive, while Asher’s characterization paints him as a convincing manipulative abuser.

Both of the relationships Joy has with these boys are meant to serve as foil to one another.  While this works for the most part, there’s still the uneasy feeling that Creed’s care of Joy comes from a place of patronizing condescension.  Exciting as the story might be, it’s still the boy who has to continually rescue our heroine.

There’s a lot of interesting stuff here, and some teens will be particularly interested in it because of its accurate portrayal of street life, but the too-tidy ending feels rushed.  Even so, this is likely to be a popular title amongst teens.

Don’t Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala. Harper Teen: 2012. Library copy. Read for 2012 Cybils Round 1 Panel.

Book Review: Happy Families by Tanita S. Davis

Ysabel and Justin are fairly lucky twins.  Ysabel is showing tremendous promise as an artist and Justin has a bright future in one of the country’s best colleges.  Their family is close-knit and pretty happy.  But then their father’s long-held secret becomes public, and it feels as though their family is being torn apart.  Both conflicted, sad, and hurt about their father’s reveal, the twins struggle to come to terms with their new life.  A spring break spent with their dad is planned to help them come to terms with the changes, but are they willing to alter their view of their happy family?

Tanita S. Davis’s smart, empathetic novel about a family in the middle of crisis handles the heavy issues within its pages very well.  Both the tension of the story and the underlying love of the family at the center of this novel are palpable feelings throughout the story.  Although this isn’t a book that’s going to appeal to every reader, it tackles some hard topics in a way that is never overly didactic or pandering to its audience.

Although Davis relies on a fair amount of exposition to tell the story of Ysabel and Justin, she does so in a way that never feels too heavy-handed.  Relying on a combination of dialogue and narrative to explain many of the issues relating to transgendered people, Davis lays out what it all means for the reader.  It’s effective.

A pretty quick pace and some good moments with action make this novel a quick read.  Although Ysabel and Justin’s turnaround about their father comes fairly quickly, it doesn’t feel inauthentic.  Because the family in question is African American, this book is an important entry into the LGBTQ literature cannon.  Recommended.

Happy Families by Tanita S. Davis. Knopf Books for Young Readers: 2012. Library copy.

Waiting on Wednesday: Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler

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:

Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler

Expected Release Date: October 1, 2012

She never thought a kiss could kill…
Samantha didn’t mean to hurt anyone. She was just trying to fit in…and she wanted to make Zee a little jealous after he completely ditched her for a prettier girl. So she kissed Alex. And then he died—right in her arms.
Was she really the only person in the entire school who didn’t know about his peanut allergy? Or that eating a peanut better sandwich and then kissing him would be deadly? Overnight Sam turns into the school pariah and a media sensation explodes. Consumed with guilt, abandoned by her friends, and in jeopardy of losing her swimming scholarship, she’ll have to find a way to forgive herself before anyone else will.

(summary via Goodreads)

I read and mostly enjoyed Janet Gurtler’s If I Tell, so I’m looking forward to her take on another contemporary YA dilemma.  This one has kind of a horrific premise in the sense that the main character has gone through an incredibly sad and traumatizing experience.  I’m nervous about how Gurtler’s going to carry this one off, but I can’t wait to find out how it all turns out.

What are you waiting on this week?

Book Review: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Amy has always been okay being overshadowed by Lila and Cassie, her two best friends, because at least she has them as friends.  When the three girls get stood up by their dates just before the prom, the girls vow revenge, which doesn’t end up working out like they planned.  After a brief stint in jail, Amy finds herself being “rehabilitated” and humiliated.  As Amy navigates her pain and comes to terms with what real friendship is, she might just discover that she has more support than she ever imagined.

Chalk this one up to the reader not being in the right headspace for this one.  I wanted to like Burstein’s smart, contemplative debut, but I never quite connected to Amy or her plight.  A lot of readers will find things to like here, though, so I’m reluctant to criticize it too harshly.  Good writing and a genuine conflict make this a contemporary YA read that will work for readers looking for a book with some substance.

While I had trouble connecting with Amy, there’s no denying that she’s a well-developed character.  Her emotions and thoughts and loyalties swing wildly around in the aftermath of the incident on prom night, and it’s a very authentic portrayal of a lost girl trying to find herself.  Her friends were fairly well done, too, although they mostly lacked the depth that Amy was given.  This is especially true of the toxic Lila, but most readers will be willing to overlook that.  Also troubling are Amy’s parents, although readers who stick with the story will find themselves mostly satisfied by the end.

There are some pacing problems here, and because so much of the book is narrative driven from inside Amy’s head, readers who like a lot of dialogue are likely to grow frustrated with this book’s prose.  It’s a book meant for readers who like a denser, thicker plot.  Those looking for a book that doesn’t shy away from the tougher issues are likely to enjoy this one.

Recommended with reservations.  I’m not sure this would work for reluctant readers.

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein. Entangled Publishing: 2012. Library copy.

Book Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Samantha Reed has always watched the Garretts next door.  They represent everything foreign to her: a large, loud, messy family who is affectionate and present for one another.  She has always wished to be part of them.  One night, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and invites her over.  As thet two fall into a powerful first love, Samantha begins to experience what it’s like to be part of the Garrett clan.  When things go horribly awry, Samantha is faced with a tough choice and has to decide between her two families.

This book was nearly perfect.  As far as contemporary YA novels go, this one is going to shoot straight to the top of the heap. Despite disagreeing with the Stephanie Perkins-comparisons (people, when will we learn?), this book warmed my shriveled little heart and is a contender for the best book of the summer.

For a novel with a fairly wide cast of characters, Fitzpatrick does a pretty nice job of establishing most of the important people.  Samantha is remarkably well-drawn, with a consistently authentic voice.  While Jase is slightly less-developed as a character, he doesn’t feel cardboard-y or like a stock character.  Samantha’s best friend Nan and her twin brother Tim are both flawed, sympathetic characters as well.  Jase’s family is full of quirky, memorable characters, and Fitzpatrick excels at writing the voices of children.  It’s impossible not to fall in love with the Garretts as Samantha has done by watching them over the years.  They’re big and messy and totally charming.

Unfortunately, the argument could be made that Fitzpatrick introduces too many characters.  While I was able to keep the cast straight, there were some characters who suffered from a lack of characterization as a result.  This was especially present in the case of Sam’s mother’s boyfriend Clay, and to a lesser extent, Sam’s mother herself.  Both of these characters felt too much like stereotypes, and the events in the last third of the book feel almost forced as a result.

Which brings me to the book’s biggest sticking point: Samantha’s mother hates the Garretts but has no real reason to do so.  Her dislike of the family is supposed to propel much of the book’s narrative, but it doesn’t ever feel authentic so much as a plot contrivance to create conflict.  Most readers will be willing to overlook this, because the writing is good, the characters fun, and the chemistry between Jase and Samantha strong.  This is a contemporary romance with substance, and the attraction between Jase and Samantha crackles off the page.  It’s swoon-worthy, to be sure.

Definitely worth a read.  This is one worth buying, as it’s likely to elicit re-reads.  Highly recommended.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick.  Dial: 2012. Electronic galley accepted for review via NetGalley.

While He Was Away by Karen Schreck

For the last year, Penna’s whole life has been her boyfriend David.  Now he’s gone off to fight in Iraq, and she’s left alone in their small Oklahoma town with very little to distract her.  She throws herself into work and her art, and it isn’t long before she starts to make friends and discover more about her own family.  But she can’t stop thinking about the hole inside her that only David can fill.  When he stops writing, things get worse.  She knows he loves her, but when will he be back?  And will he still be the same boy she knew?

Karen Schreck’s novel is part of the burgeoning genre of literature about the Iraq war.  These novels aim to examine all aspects of it.  Schreck’s novel attempts to portray young love separated by more than just distance, and what happens in the in between.  Unfortunately, Schreck’s novel fell way short for me as a reader.  Although there’s a lot of promise here, slow plotting and awkward prose made it difficult to slog through this one.

The first third of the novel focuses on Penna’s inability to think of anything except David.  Her world is so insular that the reader begins to feel claustrophobic.  This is intentional–it’s clear that Schreck means for this to happen–but Penna’s obsession with her boyfriend and her slow evolution into the real world is about as pleasant as nails on a chalkboard.  There’s nothing interesting enough about Penna–nor remarkable enough about David–to hold the reader’s interest.  Things pick up once both characters become more enmeshed in their immediate surroundings, but it was too late for me.

Schreck’s characterization is pretty good, all things considered.  She manages to create vivid female characters representing three generations of Penna’s family.  Some of Penna’s coworkers are quirky and interesting, but they aren’t given enough page time to warrant a real connection with readers.  A strong setting helps make up for the fact that there isn’t much happening in the plot.

All that being said, there are readers for this book.  Teens looking for a story about an already-established relationship might like this one.  It might work especially well for teens who know someone who has been deployed.  It’s a slow read despite its relatively short length, though, and probably won’t work for reluctant readers.

While He Was Away by Karen Schreck. Sourcebooks Fire: 2012. Library copy.

Book Review: The Story of Us by Deb Caletti

Cricket’s mom is getting married–this is her fourth engagement–and while Cricket loves Dan Jax, her mom’s fiance, she finds it harder to relate to his two teenage daughters.  She’s also worried that her mom will run before the nuptials can take place.  After all, that’s what’s happened with the previous two guys.  As guests arrive at a bed-and-breakfast by the sea for the impending wedding, things keep getting more complicated.  Cricket picked the wrong time to go on a hiatus from her long-term boyfriend Janssen.  Even though Cricket knows that change is inevitable, she can’t help wishing for some sort of constant.

Deb Caletti’s most recent offering is full of contemplative characters who are struggling with the ephemeral nature of life.  Despite the similarities of the title to a Taylor Swift song, Caletti’s novel attempts to tackle some bigger issues and manages to do so somewhat successfully.  Unfortunately, the novel meanders a bit too much and throws in a couple of ill-fitting subplots, making it a satisfying–but in no way spectacular–read.

Perhaps best known for creating complex characters grappling with very real-world problems, Caletti has always crafted quiet little novels that allow the characters to grow and develop.  The same is true here, as Caletti has created an incredibly sympathetic lost-soul in narrator Cricket.  The scenes between Cricket and her mother and brother are by far some of the book’s best.  The aching feeling of childhood and nostalgia for a past that’s gone is palpable.  As their little trio moves forward and prepares to merge with another family, these moments are particularly authentic.

Also notable is Caletti’s care in creating personality in the family’s dog.  Cricket spends much of her time hanging out with Jupiter, and it’s clear that Caletti gets what it’s like to have a dog as a member of the family.  Jupiter is as well-drawn as the book’s major human characters, and the novel is all the richer for it.  The observations about dogs will resonate with readers who have spent time wondering what their pet thinks about all day.

Unfortunately, the novel falters on several points.  The first is the weirdly insensitive sub-plot involving a family member’s sexual orientation.  Not only is it ill-fitting within the story as a whole, but it is handled spectacularly poorly.  This is jarring and a little worrisome.

However, the novel’s biggest problem is the awkward narrative device that Caletti employs throughout the story.  Chapters are told partially through Cricket’s emails to her boyfriend Janssen (thus the concept of the “story of us”).  While these are meant to serve as back-story to how Cricket and Janssen came to be and why she’s so worried about change the emails actually end up doing the novel a disservice.  Instead of propelling the story forward, these emails bring the already relaxed plotting to a grinding halt.

Still, readers looking for a contemplative novel about love and family and the inescapable tide of change will find lots to like in this quiet novel.  Summer reading for individuals who like to think hard about their books.  Recommended with reservations.

The Story of Us by Deb Caletti.  Simon Pulse: 2012.  Borrowed copy.