Young Adult

The Fault in Our Stars

2012, Books in Bed, Favorites, Fiction, Young Adult /

I hate kid cancer books. Kind of like the kids in The Fault in Our Stars hate cancer books, ok maybe not like they do – since I’m not a kid with cancer, but still – hate them. I just hate them.

The only redeeming value in this one (and it’s a big redeeming value) is that John Green wrote it. That pretty much says all you need to know. And all I’m going to say since I don’t want to give any spoilers or anything remotely spoiler-ish.

The kids are great. Their parents are nicely written. The stupid author, who is so NOT John Green, is well done. I loved the wish genies. IN the heart of Jesus – brilliant. And yes, I even cried a bit at the end – even though I was SURE I wouldn’t.

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Bad Girls Don’t Die

2012, Books in Bed, Fiction, Young Adult /

Bad Girls Don’t Die was pretty creepy. All of those dolls. * Shudder *

And fire. There was fire. And fire has been freaking me out lately.

I’m not sure I really understood the need for the Carter storyline but I didn’t hate it, really. I found the missing father more troubling. The reaction to his accident by the girls and their mother – weird. And I don’t think it was related to the evil doll, either.

Creepy. Weird. But a quick, fun read.

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Addie on the Inside

2012, Books in Bed, Children's Literature, Favorites, Fiction, Queer, Young Adult /

I almost didn’t read Addie on the Inside because I didn’t love The Misfits enough to really want to read any more of Howe’s books in the series. But, then again, Addie is a good strong female character so… I figured what the heck. And, I think it’s No Name Calling Week, or will be next week? Right, next week, Timely.

And now I’m glad I read it.

Told in verse – nicely done verse – it’s a super fast read and a bit of a page turner, too.

All of the normal stuff. Middle school sucks. Bullies suck. And sometimes bullies are bullies because they’re trying to survive their own kind of hell. Being queer in middle school sucks. Trying to start a Day of Silence program in middle school sucks. Dealing with annoying teachers in middle school sucks. Dealing with race issues sucks. Heck, everything about middle school pretty much sucks. Addie knows all of this but that doesn’t really make it any easier to deal with the middle school suckage (or suckers, for that matter.)

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Ganymeade

2012, Books in Bed, Favorites, Steampunk, Young Adult /

I couldn’t have asked for a better book, (or author), to kick off my Steampunk Challenge – Ganymeade is fabulous. I might be a little bit biased since I actually spent a good bit of my summer vacation hanging out at the Friends of the Hunley museum way back before it moved to North Charleston. (Err, actually it was way back before the Hunley was found, now that I think about it.)

A submarine is a great steampunk machine – brilliant idea and brilliant idea to have the crew of the Naamah Darling fly it/drive it/sail it.

As much as I’m looking forward to seeing Boneshaker made into a movie, I feel like Ganymeade might be even better. The Hunt for Red October meets Night of the Living Dead – steampunked? Brilliant, right? I’m also looking forward to see what happens next in Seattle.

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The Apothecary

1 Comment / 2012, Books in Bed, Favorites, From the Stacks Challenge, Sci Fi and Fantasy, Young Adult /

Sassymonkey sent me an advance uncorrected galley of The Apothecary. She got it at BEA and I was thrilled to get it – even if I didn’t have time to read it when it arrived.

Now, I’m sorry I didn’t make time earlier. It was excellent. I love how awesome Janie and Jin Lo were.  Pip was a great character, too. And I liked the ending a good bit. From truth serums memory loss potions. Brilliant idea.

I can’t wait for the next book about Janie and Benjamin. I sure hope Pip (and Sarah???) are in the next book, too.

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Night Owls

2011, Books in Bed, Children's Literature, Comics & Graphic Novels, Cybil Challenge, Young Adult /

And with Night Owls, I’ve finished the Cybils Shortlist for 2011. Yay me!

I had to buy Night Owls for Elly for Christmas in order to finish the challenge because my library didn’t have it. Which is a shame, for library patrons – it’s a great graphic novel. Well drawn. Well written. Well worth buying for Elly (and for me.)

The Timony twins are talented. Very talented.

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The Throne of Fire

1 Comment / 2011, Books in Bed, Children's Literature, Sci Fi and Fantasy, Young Adult /

I just don’t like the Kane series as much as either of the two Percy Jackson series. They’re good but not Percy Jackson good – which is why it took me a week to read The Throne of Fire.  It must have something to do with the Kane siblings because I really do like Egyptian mythology – more than I like either Greek or Roman mythology.

Next book – I’m not reading it anywhere near reading The Heroes of Olympus series. Maybe that will help?

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Darth Paper Strikes Back

2011, Books in Bed, Children's Literature, Favorites, Fiction, Young Adult /

I loved Origami Yoda so it’s not much of a surprise that I loved Darth Paper Strikes Back, is it?  I always worry a little bit about a second book in a series, after loving the first book so much but there’s nothing to worry about this one. I really, really loved the “bonus game included” bit. Brilliant. Clever. Oh so awesome. Even Harvey comes through in the end. I liked that.

Looking for a good ‘tween gift at the last minute? Buy both books and some awesome origami  paper.

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Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

2011, Books in Bed, Favorites, Sci Fi and Fantasy, Young Adult /

Oops! I finished Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children ages ago and forgot to write about it. How I could have forgotten is beyond me. It took me so long to get to it, after wanting to read it for – forever and then it was so freaky good, freaky being an understatement here.

TW wouldn’t read it – the photos freaked her out. I can see why. This is a book that could give you nightmares, if you’re inclined to nightmares about freaky people (which I’m not.)  What brilliant idea to take these odd photos and write a story, about kids (mostly), around them. Super smart. Interesting plot. I’m dying to know what happens next – though I’m a bit troubled by Jacob and Emma. I almost didn’t want there to be a sequel because I’m not super comfortable with their relationship.

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