Books I managed to finish in August

Photo by Piotr Bizior

I've been kicked out of my writing room for most of this month.  We had some, uh, er, okay - plumbing issues.  While I once might have thought it would be luxurious to have a writing space that featured an indoor waterfall, I've since learned that it is NOT a good idea.  Especially when that waterfall may or may not contain human byproducts.  Inspiring, yes?

However, I have gotten to squeeze some reading in this month between meetings with contractors and plumbers and tile guys and other various and sundry repair people.  Here's this month's list.

CLEAN by Amy Reed

Click here to buy at
Better World Books

This is the story of five teens . . . sent to live in a drug rehab center . . . work together and have their lives ripped apart . . . to find out what happens when people stop being addicts . . . and start getting CLEAN.

Yep, like old school MTV The Real World, but in a swanky rehab center instead of a tricked out apartment.  The story jumps from one teen's perspective to the other, making it quick and slightly mind numbing.  Just as I got settled into someone's storytelling, his turn was over and we moved onto the next voice.  Perhaps it is that I just have too many voices in my head anyway, or that I'm too old to appreciate the choppiness of the storytelling because I'm from a generation of MTV viewers that actually watched it to see music videos (yes, yes, Downtown Julie Brown, Vejay Goddess that you are), but the characters were never full enough for me.

I do need to give Ms Reed props on writing a story that helps remind us that teens (and even their adult counterparts) with drug and alcohol addictions may do bad things, but it is too simplistic to assume that means that they are bad people.  We are the choices we make and the beautiful thing is that there is always another choice waiting to be made.

I read this as an e-galley, but it has been released into the universe since then so look for it at your local retailer or request your library order a copy.

MICHAEL VEY by Richard Paul Evans

Click here to buy at
Better World Books

Michael Vey seems like a typical 14-year-old boy.  He's maybe a little small for his age and the bullies really like to abuse him, but otherwise, pretty run-of-the-mill.  Oh, except for that pesky electrical current thing he's got going on throughout his body giving him pretty cool powers.  Michael is convinced he's the only freak at school, in the world even.  When he and his best friends make a strange discovery, he learns he's not alone.  Someone is coming for him.

This story was so much fun to read.  Michael is adorable.  He'd probably hate to be described that way, but he is.  Like an lovable labrador retriever that shoots lighting from its paws.  He has one of those best friends that I love, the Sam-Wise or Ron Weasley type that will put themselves in harms way to help a friend.  The story is fast paced, funny, intriguing, and best of all, hopeful.

MICHAEL VEY is Richard Paul Evans's first YA book.  He's the bestselling author of THE CHRISTMAS BOX and other familiar titles.  I read this as an e-galley, but it has been released into the universe since then so look for it at your local retailer or request your library order a copy.

Watch the book trailer here

THE WHITE CROW by Marcus Sedgwick

Click here to buy at
Better World Books

I am apparently not meant to read Marcus Sedgwick's books.  I'm too much of an idiot.  This is my second attempt at his work.  Last month, I read REVOLVER, a Printz Honor Book.  Once again, I'm left feeling like I got lost somewhere along the storyline and I've no idea how to get out.  No, wait.  Maybe that's exactly where he wants me to be.  Creepy brilliant.

Rebecca and her father move to the small town of Winterfold to escape something in her father's past.  There, she meets a strange girl, Ferelith.  Ferelith is obsessed with a dark question and uses Rebecca as bait in her attempts to find the answer.  The story moves back and forth across centuries relating how another man, with a similar obsession came to meet his own fate during his search for answers.  Confused yet?  Because I am and I'm the one writing this stuff.

Sedwick's clear skill at creating setting and place in a novel is demonstrated much like in REVOLVER.  The creepiness of the story will seep into your skin and make you want to jump up and run around in the sunshine just to shake off the heebie jeebies.  Oh, yes.  You don't have to necessarily understand what's going on to know you are probably going to have nightmares from it.  If you're interested in a Gothic psychological horror, save this gem for Halloween.

THE MEANING OF LIFE AND OTHER STUFF by Jimmy Gownly

Coming 9/27/11

Oh, graphic novel, how I do love thee!  This e-galley is the newest in the Amelia Rules series.  Think comic book for advanced reading girls (and boys with big sisters who will read to them like mine).  My kids LOVE this series, and I'm awfully fond of it too.  Jimmy Gownly has a wonderful knack of making us both laugh and think at the same time.  Beautiful story lines and wonderful characters flesh the pages of these books.

In THE MEANING OF LIFE AND OTHER STUFF, Amelia makes some hard discoveries about herself and the world she lives in, all while battling frenemies like her new cheerleading buddies.  She very astutely points out that there is no grown-up world or kid-world.  Just one world that we all have to figure out how to live in.  Brilliant.  And, she's only in middle school.

I read this as an e-galley.  It will be released September 27, 2011.  Mark your calendar now!