"It gave her a feeling of her own power, to make something practical and beautiful just by using her own skills and creativity. It inspired her." Book Review | The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Once a week, an eclectic group of women comes together at a New York City yarn shop to work on their latest projects—and share the stories of their lives… At the center of Walker and Daughter is the shop’s owner, Georgia, who is overwhelmed with juggling the store and single-handedly raising her teenage daughter. Happy to escape the demands of her life, she looks forward to her Friday Night Knitting Club, where she and her friends—Anita, Peri, Darwin, Lucie, and KC—exchange knitting tips, jokes, and their deepest secrets. But when the man who once broke Georgia’s heart suddenly shows up, demanding a role in their daughter’s life, her world is shattered. Luckily, Georgia’s friends are there for encouragement, sharing their own tales of intimacy, heartbreak, and miracle-making. And when the unthinkable happens, these women will discover that what they’ve created isn’t just a knitting club: it’s a sisterhood.

Dear Blue,

In a sea of deadpans and sarcasm, sometimes we need a potent dose of heart, one of those stories that hits you like cupid's arrow. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs is your very own prescription to laugh and crumble under your fair share of tears. Maybe even start a knitting club of your own!

The Friday Night Knitting Club tells the story of Georgia Walker, a single mother and owner of Walker and Daughter, a small knitting shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Through the store's weekly knitting club, we meet Georgia's ambitious preteen daughter, Dakota, sophisticated mentor and mother figure, Anita, up and coming fashion designer, Peri, producer, Lucie, and Darwin, a graduate student currently writing her dissertation on the reemergence of knitting in women's lives. We also meet a plethora of other intriguing characters like Cat, Georgia's high school best friend, and James, the man who broke her heart years before.

To sum it up, I think that this novel is like an ABC Family/Hallmark Channel movie that you shrug off, but once you end up giving in, you feel lighthearted and overly emotional. At times, Kate Jacobs' writing can become a bit formulaic, the plot lines a little obvious, however she is a master of crafting characters who shine so fully that nothing else matters. I loved 'meeting' these characters, learning their stories, and journeying with them through their struggles. I especially loved Georgia's strength, and her ability to persevere when she could have run crawling back to her parents. How cool would it be to own a knitting shop right in the heart of the city? As much as I love the way I can meet people online and fangirl over our favorite things, it would be awesome to have a place to chat over these things in real time.

What I loved most was the use of knitting as a conduit for friendship, for self discovery, and for accomplishment. Whether each character succeeds at their own personal knitting projects or not, it's amazing that something like knitting can create an atmosphere of healing. In the midst of such pivotal moments, Kate Jacobs sprinkles knitting nuggets of wisdom throughout, including a pattern and recipe at the end of the novel.

Bare in mind: The Friday Night Knitting Club contains slight profanity and adult content.

Sometimes we don't need a literary treatise. Sometimes we need a good story with great characters to lift our spirits. This novel may just be the hug, and warm cup of tea that you need. It sure was for me.

          

Lets take a trip to Lion Brand Studio and rave about this over a couple of Scottish Morn's.

P.S. Remember my letter where I raved about Katniss' fashions in Catching Fire, and posted a passing thought that I might learn to knit her cowl? Well, I'm ecstatic to tell you that I totally succeeded in that goal. And in less time than I thought was possible. The story of my knitting journey's coming soon, Blue!

Hugs and love,

Britta

Sugarcube Review | Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Would you rather know a truth that makes you feel hopeless, or keep believing the lies? Beloved and bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with the spellbinding story of two young people with devastating pasts who embark on a passionate, intriguing journey to discover the lessons of life, love, trust—and above all, the healing power that only truth can bring. Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she’s tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth. Only by courageously facing the stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries. Hopeless is a novel that will leave you breathless, entranced, and remembering your own first love.-Amazon

The only thing you really need to know about Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, is that it will snatch out your heart, and leave you with that gutted feeling for days afterward.

Hopeless is about a a girl named Sky who's life is uprooted by the presence of, Dean Holder, a guy who causes unsettling memories of a past long forgotten to rise to the surface. Hopeless contains everything you would want in a romantic YA/NA novel: an outsider protagonist, and a love interest with a questionable past that both draws you in, and makes you wonder for the safety of the protagonist. But Colleen Hoover weaves a story with a hidden depth that will blow you away as you peel back its layers. Hoover tackles a disturbing topic with such sincerity and power that it's impossible not to take it with you. I especially loved that even as I thought I had pegged Sky and Dean's situation, it is startlingly far from what I thought. Sky and Dean are two beautiful characters who endure what young people should never have to endure. Their romance is pulsing, and grows more realistic as the novel progresses.

Bare in mind: Hopeless contains profanity, sexual content, and disturbing scenarios of abuse.

             

I give Hopeless by Colleen Hoover 4 out of 5 cups of Irish Breakfast.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles Book Review

The New York Times bestselling novel that "enchants on first reading and only improves on the second" (The Philadelphia Inquirer) This sophisticated and entertaining first novel presents the story of a young woman whose life is on the brink of transformation. On the last night of 1937, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent is in a second-rate Greenwich Village jazz bar when Tinker Grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. This chance encounter and its startling consequences propel Katey on a year-long journey into the upper echelons of New York society—where she will have little to rely upon other than a bracing wit and her own brand of cool nerve. With its sparkling depiction of New York’s social strata, its intricate imagery and themes, and its immensely appealing characters, Rules of Civility won the hearts of readers and critics alike.

-Barnes & Noble

Quite simply, Rules of Civility by Amor Towles is one of the best novels I've read. Period. Not only is it filled with wonderful writing detailing the year long journey of a young woman discovering the upper echelons of 1930s New York City, it is filled with poignant meaning that I will ponder for a long while. There aren't many novels that I want to reread, but this is one that I'm sure I've missed something worth gleaning.

Katey Kontent, the protagonist of this novel, is keen, witty, and intriguing as we follow her through one life changing year. One moment, she and her best friend Eve, are working girls in New York City, looking to spend a night out, and in the next serendipitous moment, they've met the man that would change both of their lives dramatically...Tinker Grey. I enjoyed every single moment of this novel...new characters, music, and imagery. I enjoyed the sights and sounds evoked in this piece. Towles is a master of characterization and voice. I couldn't have imagined any other character narrating this novel other than Katey, whose voice has a journalistic quality to it, and a way of showing emotion without over sensationalizing. It worked so well that one could believe that Katey is a real person of which Towles is simply taking dictation.

Towles has painted New York in the 1930s to a tee. It's as if he has jumped into a time machine and zipped back give us a walking tour of this roaring city. Being a New Yorker, it was such an alluring experience to know I am within walking distance of many of the churches Katey frequents, along with many places that may have once existed. He paints New York almost as a love/hate relationship that tends to mirror relationships within the novel; The city can draw one in like a siren with its sparkling lights, exciting people, and promises of dreams while awake...yet it is a mercurial behemoth with so many facades that one may not be able to keep up. There were so many surprises to be uncovered that I  could not put it down.

Bare In Mind: This novel contains profanity, and adult content/situations.

Rules of Civility carries the weight of lives lived, pondered, and squandered. What most touched me was that I chose this novel as the one I would take into my next year (My Birthday Novel) hoping that it would carry some great meaning I could take with me. Katey is the same age as I am, and experiences a struggle that many of us do, with deciding what directions our lives will take, and who will come into these new dimensions with us. It felt for a while that I were going on my journey with another who understood, minus the many nouveau riche Katey meets. The novel contains all of the glamour, excitement, and secrecy, but also carries the question of its' worth. Is it worth what it might take to gain the American Dream? Is it worth squandering childlike wonder for the world around you? Do you really know who you are, and who your friends are? These questions and more define a beautiful experience with the novel!

I give this novel 5 out of 5 flutes of sparkling champagne and a night on the town.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver Book Review

Disclaimer: Although I don't believe I've included very many spoilers aside from those that are on the surface, I cannot be sure, so read at your discretion.

I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, pushing aside thoughts of Alex, pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, push, push, push, like Raven taught me to do. The old life is dead. But the old Lena is dead too. I buried her. I left her beyond a fence, behind a wall of smoke and flame. Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.
-Goodreads

I must say that Pandemonium was exactly what I expected it would be, exciting and adventurous, with tension abounding around every corner. Oliver opens up her thrilling sequel with Lena discovering the pros and consequences of the choice she makes to leave the confines of her former life to venture into what is called 'the Wilds.' I loved how it all played out, each new character introduced, and each challenge that tests Lena to rise above her 'former' self. The greatest wild card character, in my opinion, is Julian Fineman, the symbol of what Lena and the rest of the 'Invalids' are against. I found myself hooked to this story from cover to cover, as uprisings beckoned, and new love burgeoned beneath the streets of a future NewYork City.

Lauren Oliver never fails to astound me with the beauty of her writing. As much as I wanted to race through the novel, I found myself slowing down to savor each word. A novel about 'diseased' love, if handled ineffectively, can become something contrived and quite cheesy, but Oliver weaves each and every moment in such a profound way. Lena and Julian's moments together are so organic to me that one cannot help but sympathize with their feelings, even as you miss Alex' presence. Julian is one of my favourite characters, because he is thoughtful, has a childlike innocence, and is battered from his own struggles with the resistance. He is a beautiful character to observe as he grows, and his eyes are opened to the realities of the world his father wishes to create.

There are only two things that made me arch my brow a bit. As Lena grows throughout this novel, we see her begin to use more and more profanity, which seemed a bit unnecessary. The other, is that the very thing that I expected to happen in the end actually does. Nevertheless, none of this took away from the story, but it does, especially the ending, make me want to take out a petition to rush release the third and last novel!

Bare In Mind: This novel contains slight nudity, violence, profanity, and certain passages from the Bible retold (The account of Abraham and Isaac).

Overall, Pandemonium was an entertaining, thrilling, and romantic novel that will draw you in until the very end.

I give Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!


P.S. If you love Novel Days, please vote for it in the Independent Book Blogger Awards. The vote button is in the sidebar. I would very much appreciate it!

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour Book Review

Colby's post-high school plans have long been that he and his best friend Bev would tour with her band, then spend a year in Europe. When Bev announces that she will start college just after the tour, Colby struggles to understand why she changed her mind and what losing her means for his future.

-GoodReads

The Disenchantments is what I would envision it would be like to watch The Runaways or any of the Riot Grrrl bands just starting out. It's chock full of spinning vinyls, hazy photography, beautiful art, and a vintage VW.  It's a very lo-fi novel, very analogue, if I may, and I LOVED the name of this novel! LaCour writes a coming of age story that is fun and exciting, but also filled with the challenges of growing up.  I loved that instead of writing the expected, LaCour decided to write of a band that is pretty bad. They know it, and their audience knows it, but what redeems them is their unwavering spirit. Meg, Alexa, and Bev move forward for the experience of it, for fun times, giving it their all!

I adored journeying with Meg, Alexa, Bev, and Colby into quirky towns along the Pacific Northwest. Each and every character held such presence, their own unique colors shined through. LaCour weaves an appreciation for awesome music into the novel, specifically from top female bands like The Supremes, Sleater-Kinney, and Heart. I'll enjoy discovering these artists more fully in the future! The mood of the novel is infectious, and made me want to get on the road, to revel in the unplanned moments, filling my days with photography, great music, and most of all, wonderful people.

The novel takes a serious turn as Bev decides to change plans that she and Colby have been looking forward to since they were children. I'll admit, I found Bev a bit hard to sympathize with, but, thankfully, it became easier for me once the secrets surrounding her decision were revealed. I sympathized most with Colby, and found him to be a great character to experience the novel through. He is a dreamer, who wants so badly to follow a different path from most of his high school peers. I found myself cheering for the entire lot from beginning to end! The novel progresses in such a beautiful way, that by the end, I was filled with the wonder of being young, and the beauty of being able to choose your own path as an adult.

LaCour's writing is beautiful, lush, intricate, the whole gamut! Her own road trips fueled the many experiences, scenes, and characters within the novel. I can't tell you how much more I want to road trip, or something similar, after reading this novel. It's very special.

Bare in mind: This novel contains profanity and slight sexuality.

The Disenchantments is a great novel filled with the magic of forging your own path.

I give The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour 4 1/2 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey.

P.S: CHECK OUT THIS POSTER CREATED FOR THE DISENCHANTMENTS!!!! I WANT ONE!

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral Ipad Edition Book Review

All Images are Copyright Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral ©2012.

After her mother died, Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her as a piano prodigy, with a rigid schedule and the goal of playing sold-out shows across the globe. Now, as a teenager, Glory has disappeared. As we flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, we see a girl on the precipice of disaster. Brilliant and lonely, Glory is drawn to an artistic new boy, Frank, who moves in next door. The farther she falls, the deeper she spirals into madness. Before long, Glory is unable to play anything but the song "Chopsticks."

But nothing is what it seems, and Glory's reality is not reality at all. In this stunningly moving novel told in photographs, pictures, and words, it's up to the reader to decide what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along....

-GoodReads

One thing that can be said of reading Chopsticks is that it is one of the most unique reading experiences that you will ever have, be it through electronic or print editions. Why? Because it changes the concept of what a novel is. Chopsticks is made up of photographs, old newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, and playlists, all telling the haunting story of the young Gloria Flemming (Glory), a musical prodigy who falls in love with Frank and suddenly goes missing right as her world begins to turn upside down.

The photography in this novel is so fantastic. It truly captures the haunting/nostalgic essence of tone and mood that Anthony and Rodrigo seek to portray. One thing differs in this iPad version: Interaction. This version places you smack dab in the middle of the story, allowing you to pilfer through old family books, tap for hidden surprises, watch instant message conversations as they happen, and hear every single song passed between the two characters. I loved being able to actually listen to the songs from mix tapes that Glory and Frank give each other.

As far as the story goes, on first read, I could feel the haunting nature of the situation. I could understand how helpless Glory's father felt as he pushed her from one performance to the next, and Glory's own descent as she's forced to leave the one she loves, to endure such performances. However, I'm not sure by the end, I felt as connected to each character as I would've liked. Perhaps I should re-experience it. But I expected to never want to end this love story, and I expected the ending to be truly obscure and genius, and awesome. By the end, it seemed a bit obvious to me what happened, and maybe that's because I have a positive outlook on things like this, but I'm not quite sure I grasped the disastrous ending.

All of that said, if you've read Chopsticks, I would love for you to comment your reviews! Regardless of my misgivings about the story, I feel it is totally worth reading, if only for the experience of something fresh, and new. It's definitely one of those books that should be owned in its original print version to keep and treasure!

I give Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral 4 out of 5 cups of Earl Gray.

Fourth Degree Freedom by Libby Heily Book Review

Fourth Degree Freedom explores the best of humanity and the worst. The stories range from hopeful realism to the dystopian side of speculative fiction. Each story twists and turns through darkness and light, settling somewhere in the shadowy area of day to day life.

Thank You For Calling - A young woman fights to keep her sanity, her marriage and her hope while working in a call center.

The Event - Do the youth decide to go along with the government's plan to rid the population of the elderly, or will they fight back?

Fourth Degree Freedom - A family, shunned by neighbors and friends, struggles with their youngest son, a boy that was literally born a monster. 

The Last Six Miles - Samantha has hit rock bottom. Her husband has left her and her only source of comfort is junk food. Her slip into depression seems inevitable until she discovers running. Samantha begins the long journey from barely being able to jog a minute to completing her first marathon. 

She Floats - If you woke up and didn't know where you were, would you panic? What if you were trapped in a giant aquarium?
-Good Reads

Fourth Degree Freedom is a collection of 5 short stories blending dystopia with the everyday fight. Each are profound and imaginative. The pieces take you into the lives of a woman working at a call center, two young men armed to kill, a family with a child that has an obscure birth 'defect', a woman getting over a divorce, and a young woman who's trapped. Each story seems to compliment the other, and yet be in separate dimensions as well. The only piece that seemed so obscure that it didn't quite connect with the rest was The Event. This story was maddeningly violent and disheartening, but in such a good way, and will need multiple reads in order to decipher the depth of it.

The stories that really capture my heart are "Fourth Degree Freedom", "The Last Six Miles", and "She Floats". These pieces truly showed Heily's talent for characterization and plot. She placed them in bizarre situations that suck you in! I wondered how she came up with such wildly brilliant scenarios.  Heily made me care deeply for each of the characters represented throughout these pieces, and I couldn't help but feel connected to them and their lives. There were points where I was stunned at the profundity of the message being captured. "She Floats" was the perfect piece to end the collection, as it seems to draw each piece to a hopeful close.  Heily's writing style is very simplistic and measured, making each word count.

I'm purposely choosing not to go into great detail about any of the stories because I want readers to discover each world for themselves! Every piece is worth reading, taking in, and mulling over.

Fourth Degree Freedom is  collection filled with short and sweet stories that are each brilliant in their own way.

I give Fourth Degree Freedom by Libby Heily 4 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey!

Novel Days Celebrates The Hollow Series by Jessica Verday: A Review

The Hollow Trilogy is one of the most underrated YA Supernatural Romances released in the past three years. This series surprised, thrilled and intrigued me. Jessica Verday is an awesome writer with a penchant for creating enchanting characters, and painting a present day world of Sleepy Hollow that I wanted to fall into. I'm so excited to carry out this week-long celebration of The Hollow Trilogy by Jessica Verday with reviews, and posts dedicated to throwing a killer Hollow Book Club session! But first things first, a review of the entire series.

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead?and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.
-Barnes & Noble

The Hollow definitely surprised me. There are some novels that strike you simply because of the cover art alone. My edition captured a beautiful young woman wearing a mysterious necklace, with a haunting look in her eyes. I loved the Gothic feel of it, and the story-line interested me enough to want to see what would happen. Abbey's character is conflicted and burdened because of the mysterious death of her bestfriend, Kristen. As the novel progressed, Abbey's grief seemed a bit dramatic at times, but it wasn't enough to deter me from reading further. I loved Abbey's many layers and thought that she could be an inspiring model for young women to look up to in some respects.  Abbey is an ambitious entreprenuer, who's passion is perfume, and desires to open up a perfume shop called: Abbey's Hollow.  I thought that this was so refreshing to read in YA literature. Verday's description of Abbey's perfuming process intrigued me so much, I wanted to try my hand at it.

I remember that during this time, vampires were in their highest height, and whenever I read of a handsome, mysterious guy I started to think...'Aww man, it's another Edward Cullen.' Nevertheless, I continued through, and I discovered that the concept of Caspian's situation is very fresh, and imaginative.  I adored Verday's ability to weave her own mythology of Sleepy Hollow with that of Washington Irving's authoritative legend. Verday's description of present day Sleepy Hollow and it's inhabitants, held  the same weathered, gothic intrigue that the original legend accomplished.  The aspect of the novel that I wasn't too fond of is its length. There were places in the novel where it seemed to slow up, rather than add to the narrative, passages that may have been unnecessary. I also wished that there was more information included about Caspian and his journey/place in Sleepy Hollow. I found myself most irritated by his responses or lack of response to Abbey's connection with him at first. Most complaints I see on this novel are on these slow moments, but I'll continue to encourage readers to continue reading, because the surprise ending, and the next two novels in the series are so worth it!

The Haunted is what really solidified my status as a dedicated fan of this series. It's one of the most enchanting romances I've ever read! This novel takes us further into the mystery that is Sleepy Hollow. I loved it's magical realism, in that on one end we've got the possibility for this ethereal romance, but on the other we've got the reality that Abbey questions her sanity and has returned from having endured psychiatric help. These aspects give the novel a raw quality.

The romance in this novel was otherworldly, and more than makes up for the awkward beginning that Abbey and Caspian have in The Hollow. There are soooo many moments that I wanted to wrap myself in like a comforting duvet! This novel is chock full of interesting descriptions, perfume facts, and more background on Caspian's connection to Sleepy Hollow. My favorite chapter is Crazy/Beautiful! This time, however, the warm and fuzzies is threatened by a villain who brings to light the risk that Abbey takes to be with Caspian. The villain is perfectly cast, and left me bristling by the end.

A love that knows no bounds

Abbey knows that Caspian is her destiny. Theirs is a bond that transcends even death. But as Abbey finally learns the full truth about the dark fate that links her to Caspian and ties them both to the town of Sleepy Hollow, she suddenly has some very hard choices to make. Caspian may be the love of her life, but is that love worth dying for?

Beautifully spun, emotionally gripping, and irresistibly romantic, The Hidden will leave you breathless.

The Hidden is such a bittersweet ending to this wonderful series. Of the novels, this one is more fast paced, which helped me to feel the tension that Abbey and Caspian feel as their time together grows shorter and shorter.  As usual, the romance was a key facet here, taking us even deeper than before. I still longed to read more of Caspian's feelings on what was happening, but that only confirms my love for him as a character! I adored all of Abbey and Caspian's scenes, especially those where they got to share their art with each other.  I found these moments to be very profound as it seemed their symbolic way of touching, when they couldn't physically touch. Another key element that crosses over into this final installment is Verday's talent for description and characterization.

At this point, I already feel as if I'm family with all of the major characters in this novel, including Kristen's memory. I loved that Verday went into further history of the Shades, ghosts, and their connections to Sleepy Hollow. The novel is steeped in Gothic intrigue that really helped to create such a mystical atmosphere that I couldn't help but sink right into it. Seriously, I wanted to find some abandoned shop of bygone years and discover what treasures lay left behind.

I wasn't too fond of the seance scene, nevertheless I understand how it is pretty much unavoidable, given the context of the story. I would not encourage anyone to try, or replicate this practice.

At first, I felt that the challenges were being resolved too easily, but as it progressed Verday introduced the complexity of Abbey's decision. The ending was truly stellar. It was one of those bittersweet endings that hurts a little bit, but is so right. Verday found a way to resolve everything in such a beautiful way! She showcased a celebration of love in various forms: The love of two soul-mates, the love of sisters (Abbey and Kristen's Friendship), and the love of family. I came away wanting to appreciate all of the people in my life. I wanted to cry!

I cannot recommend this series enough! Wonderful romance and raw mystery, with an intriguing mix of historical beauty and Gothic essence of the original Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

I give The Hollow four out of five cups of Earl Grey.

I give The Haunted and The Hidden five out of five cups of Earl Grey, with Laduree Macarons and a night on the town!

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle Book Review

Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Jennifer Castle’s debut novel is a heart-wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment.

-Barnes & Noble

The Beginning of After could easily become a young adult classic on the subject of dealing with, and overcoming grief. Laurel's character is very relatable, as an ambitious young woman with an open heart who experiences the trauma of losing her mother, father, and younger brother in a car accident. Castle successfully executes the feeling of grief, or perhaps, the numbness that grief tends to push a person towards. The challenge for Laurel becomes dealing with her feelings for David, her rebellious next door neighbor, who's father was behind the wheel of the car that caused the accident. David deals with his own trauma as his own mother passed, and his father is in a coma. Out of all of Castle's cast of characters, David is unpredictable in his actions, yet they read true as a person dealing with his problems via escape. While reading, there were times that I felt for him, and then other times where I just wanted him to open up more. Nevertheless, David is a very authentically depicted character. His dualities of cocky vulnerability work well, and in turn, make the reader intrigued by him. Supporting characters such as Meg, Joe, and other's from school were great additions.

The novel had a very raw quality that made it believable. Of course, its not so raw that it will shock the reader, but it's stripped free of the warm and fuzzy feelings it could've contained, especially with the romance between Laurel and David. It was very natural, and well paced. It was, at times, heartbreaking to read of this girl who had everything going for her, have to try and pick up the pieces without having the foundation of her family. However, it was all the more awesome to see her travail through with the help of her grandmother, friend Meg, and awkward start-stops with David. I loved how they became allies to each other in a manner that didn't feel forced.

I will say, though, that the novel seemed a bit muted to me. Perhaps, this was because it was in Laurel's point of view, but I wasn't struck by scenes where I felt I should've been. There were scenes that were particularly emotional, and such scenes were well done. But I still hoped that I would've come away from this novel feeling an emotional punch, and I'm not sure I have that feeling. It was a good read, but I did hope for more.

I give The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle four out of five cups of Earl Grey.

Book Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They’ve overcome the secrets riddled in Patch’s dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty, and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in each other, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they’ve worked for—and their love—forever.- Barnes & Noble

I'll admit that I picked up Silence without even knowing the premise for the latest installment in the Hush Hush Saga. The first two novels certainly jazzed my world, and I had every hope that this would be no different. I wanted to like this novel, but I think I've come away loving the first two better. I was a bit disappointed that in this novel, Nora has amnesia and has to retrace her steps to figure everything that she spent the last two novels trying to figure out. She has to discover the wonder that is Patch all over again, and I felt that to be a little redundant.

I felt that the characterizations of Vee, Scott, Hank, and Patch were still very believable, and genuine! Fitzpatrick has a gift with creating awesome characters and relationships! Hank's relationship with Nora's mother infuriated me! I wanted to shake her mother, and yell 'Can't you see he's lying, and trying to kill you?' I wasn't sure what to think of Scott, although his last appearance in Crescendo painted him a good guy.  In Silence, he seemed a bit overconfident or nonchalant about Hank's contempt for him, and I wished that he seemed as concerned as Nora was for his life. Vee was a breath of fresh air, and the touch of normalcy to a story steeped in amnesia.  I did think that she was a bit overprotective, but how else would a caring friend be after the trauma Nora's experienced?

There are wonderful moments between Patch and Nora, once all of the clouds dissipate! I loved every one of Patch's moments of stark vulnerability. No matter how much he tries to push Nora away, the reader can see how much he's worn down, and will eventually abandon his methods of protection. The novel is worth reading, if only for these beautiful moments that solidify their relationship!

I forged through, and I will say that as it goes on, after Nora rediscovers what's happened between her, Patch, and Hank Millar, the story zips through like a roller coaster! The mid to last halves of the book are simply awesome, and what I've come to love about the Hush Hush Saga.  Fitzpatrick creates tension like a champion, and drives you even through the beginning to mid halves of the novel which tend to be a bit drawn out. The awesome part is that Fitzpatrick has decided to write a new installment which will absolutely be in my hands as soon as it releases next Fall!

Fitzpatrick has created a compelling enough story-line here to capture and keep the attentions of readers!

I give Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick three out of five cups of Earl Grey.

Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Ninety-five days, and then I’ll be safe.

I wonder whether the procedure will hurt.

I want to get it over with.

It’s hard to be patient.

It’s hard not to be afraid while I’m still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn’t touched me yet.

Still, I worry.

They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness.

The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don’t.

Lauren Oliver astonished readers with her stunning debut, Before I Fall. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it “raw, emotional, and, at times, beautiful. An end as brave as it is heartbreaking.” Her much-awaited second novel fulfills her promise as an exceptionally talented and versatile writer.

"Symptoms of Amore Deliria Nervosa

...

PHASE THREE

difficulty breathing

pain in chest, throat, or stomach

difficulty swallowing; refusal to eat

complete breakdown of rational faculties; erratic behavior; violent

thoughts and fantasies; hallucinations and delusions

PHASE FOUR (FATAL)

emotional or physical paralysis (partial or total)

death

If you fear that you or someone you know may have contracted deliria, please

call the emergency line toll-free at 1-800-PREVENT to discuss immediate

intake and treatment."

          -Chapter Ten, Delirium by Lauren Oliver 

I was delighted to finally finish Delirum by Lauren Oliver. It can easily be one of the best dystopian reads this year! 

The premise of this novel which paint's love as the disease, Amor Deliria Nervosa, to be challenged by governments and then 'cured,' is one of the freshest depictions of love that I've read in a long time. I often wonder how writers of the dystopian genre, decide on what to make 'the enemy.' The synopsis easily drew me in as a story I wanted to sink into.

Lena's character is translucent, in that anyone can read and embody her struggles, yet she has a rounded, rich fire that grows as the story moves forward. I enjoyed discovering the intricacies and secrets that this new form of United States government harbored against its people. Oliver layered this world in such a specific way that you will easily believe every word she has to write on it. Her interactions with her best friend Hana, where both sympathetic and intriguing as Hana serves to be a catalyst to Lena's discoveries. It was beautiful to see such a close knit friendship thrive in a world where love is all but eradicated.

Alex is the guy that many of us dream of knowing because he is full of life, not predictable. I loved how Oliver painted him as being a representative of the love that Lena finds hard to understand after tragedy has touched her life. He distracts and throws Lena off of her desire to simply blend in and make all of the right choices. Their romance could be one of the great loves in dystopian literature! I drank in all of the romantic scenes, and fell in love with Alex as Lena did. 

I adored Oliver's infusion of banned books, literature, and slight allusions to music! This was made all the more interesting by my finishing the novel during Banned Books Week.  It was beautiful to watch on as Alex introduces Lena to poetry by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and William Shakespeare. This novel has the allure and intrigue of reading something that you're not supposed to, and thus desiring it all the more. Oliver beautifully interweaves excerpts of texts known only to the world of this novel, such as  The Book of Shhh, thus giving this present day dystopia an authenticity that I appreciated. The text's cited were of such specificity that I couldn't help but shake my head at the genius Oliver employed. Her writing is so beautiful, and I found myself wanting to underline so much of what I saw on love. 

This novel really made me think, and at some point made me wonder whether those enemies seeking to eradicate love weren't right in their diagnosis that love taints the mind in delusion. Nevertheless, by the end, I joined in with the fight of sympathizers (all those who decide against 'the cure') and decided that even with it's challenge and pain, love is worth every fight!

EDIT: As I mentioned earlier, Oliver  went to great lengths to solidify the credibility of Lena's world. She invented texts, some that didn't exist, which I thought was pretty awesome. But she did, however, take certain aspects of the Bible, such as the Genesis account of the fall of man, and Mary Magdalene's account, and change it to suit the novel. Upon first read, I didn't feel as if this was done to be offensive, I felt that it was done to highlight how far a government, or group of people, will go to enslave a persons mind. But, I'll admit that I feel a bit chagrinned by it, no matter how small it was an addition. This has not changed my original opinion of the novel being wonderful, but I felt I should mention this, so that those who may be sensitive to these matters may understand what they will encounter.

I give Delirium by Lauren Oliver five out of five cups of Earl Grey...and a quaint little pot on the side!

Journey towards the Sorting Hat: Pottermore Review

I'm excited to have had the opportunity to be one of the lucky few who gained access to J.K. Rowling's highly anticipated project, Pottermore. I must admit that I'm pretty late to the fandom. I've always been a huge fan of the films, but by the Order of the Phoenix, I thought it might be better to wait to start on the novels until the last film premiered. I've recently started on the Sorcerers Stone, and I'm delighted with Rowling's astounding world. It is, without a doubt, the most imaginative world in literary history! 

That being said, Pottermore is a dream space for Potter fans to explore all of the many world's they've read and imagined for so long! Rowling has given us all the opportunity to receive a Hogwarts acceptance letter from Dumbledore, himself. I have a great deal more exploring to do of Pottermore, but so far it's been pretty cool. Within my first day, I've shadowed Harry's steps through the Sorcerers Stone novel, purchased my school supplies, had my wand choose me, and discovered that although I've linked with the Hufflepuff house for so long, the Sorting Hat placed me in Ravenclaw. I was a bit disdained at first, but then I couldn't help but love being dubbed an eccentric genius. I observed the great lengths taken by its' creators to bring the world to life. The world is artful and very detailed, from the owls/cats, to the train carriages. The only criticism I would have about this is that they have not enhanced the experience with music yet. I'm sure that by October, everything will be fresh and ready to go!

Pottermore is definitely the site to look forward to with expectancy! I cannot wait to see you all there, sorted into your respective houses! My name is MoonGold31, please feel free to friend me!

Did you gain access? What do you like (or not) like about Pottermore?

Source: 1

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles Book Review

At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago, everyone knows that south siders and north siders aren’t exactly compatible elements. So when head cheerleader Brittany Ellis and gang member Alex Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, the results are bound to be explosive.Neither teen is prepared for the most surprising chemical reaction of all — love. Can they break through the stereotypes and misconceptions that threaten to keep them apart? Travel to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.

What can I say, Perfect Chemistry, is pretty perfect in my book! After reading Rules of Attraction, as well as the Perfect Chemistry synopsis, I expected it to be a bit more of the same. But it was wonderful!

A common theme in Simone Elkeles' novel's seems to be the blending of the north sides ('good') and south sides ('bad'), and the challenge that this exhibits. This was a very well crafted theme throughout the novel. 

Alex is overwhelmed with responsibility to his family, and also to the gang he's only joined to protect his family. From the first page I believed in his complex nature, his ability to become the gang-banger that everyone expected him to be, as well as the smart, loving, responsible teenager trying to make a way for his brothers. 

Brittany's character was met with a bit of chagrin before I started, as I expected her to fulfill her role as the blond cheerleader to a tee. And then I started reading, and from the very beginning, I felt the tension between the self she portrays in public, and the self she is at home, more specifically, for her sister, Shelley. She seems quite at her wit's end with pretending to be perfect. 

With Alex and Brittany coming together, you get their social/economic/cultural challenges. They were believably put off by the stereotypes that permeated in the misconceptions of each culture, and yet, were equally intrigued by each other's  differences. After a while, they desired to know what it took to walk in the others shoes, and this I found extremely intriguing! They could see beneath the facades that each felt an obligation to in public. Elkeles introduces well-rounded characters that you want to dig further into.

The problem of gang-relation comes to a head in this novel. It's very believable in Alex's tension with his Latino Blood affiliation. He showed loyalty, all the while showing a vulnerable fear of what certain higher ups could do to his family/friends. 

Elkeles writes in such a flowing, relatable way. For the most part, every character seemed fully developed from dialogue to mannerisms. The tone of the novel also took on a more mature nature than Rules of Attraction did, in my opinion. I appreciated this! She knows how to build wonderful tension, and craft such scenes in a wonderful way!

I fell in love with Alex, and at this point I now understand the allure of the Fuentes name! This love story was gutsy, hilarious, heart wrenching, and pretty spicy! As Alex and Brittany warmed up to each other, they showed such genuine vulnerability. I loved these facets of the novel! I finished it in one day! I finally get it, and will happily move forward with Chain Reaction!

I give Perfect Chemistry 5 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey! A pot, really!

Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles Book Review

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for the past year, he doesn't want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him in Colorado. When he meets Kiara Westford, a good girl totally unlike any of the girls he's usually drawn to, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she's too good for him. But will he put his pride aside when he realizes that being with Kiara might finally allow him to be his true self?

-Barnes & Noble

This week has been Perfect Chemistry week with the release of the third and final novel of the series, Chain Reaction. Unfortunately, up until hearing of Chain Reaction, I had no idea about the series. This novel made me intrigued and I thought I should read the others before moving forward. I picked up Rules of Attraction with pretty moderate expectations, and I wasn't necessarily disappointed.  I wasn't very moved by it either. However, it hasn't stopped me from wanting to check out the other novels.

Simone Elkeles has done an awesome job of making the Fuentes name pretty much legendary in the YA Genre! Just the thought of them makes me a bit dreamy.  I loved her infusion of the Mexican culture within the novel, as well as the reality of being affiliated with a gang. It's very few and far between that I read realistic YA fiction, and so this was pretty refreshing. Elkeles painted the relationship between bad boy, Carlos Fuentes, and sincere tomboy Kiara Westford pretty believably. She paints their awkward first moments and gradually develops their more serious moments in an interesting way, and I wanted to follow their journey. Elkeles has a great sense of flow and voice, creating a novel experience that is fast paced and easily understood.

However, I was partially turned off with the tone of the novel giving me the feel of an after-school special about the dangers of gang violence/drug abuse. There were moments in the novel when Carlos' 'bad boy' nature seemed a bit forced and unconvincing, but Elkeles makes up for this when he shows his more vulnerable sides to Kiara. Also their roles as bad boy/good girl sometimes fell into cliched models.

That being said, it does not stop me from wanting to read the other novels. Why? Because there were classic high school romantic moments in here that reminded me of the glory of first love. One thing I was surprised about was the intimate scenes. I had no idea that they would go as far as they did. I thought to myself, 'Wow, Ms. Elkeles, you sure this is marketed for YA readers?' However, none of these types of scenes are written in a trashy way. 

The cover is completely beautiful and compliments a scene in the novel. How I would love to have a similar scene occur in real time! Stay tuned for my next Perfect Chemistry novel review!

I give Rules of Attraction 3 cups of Earl Gray and a tablespoon of sugar (half). 

Kippa Picks: Reason To Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

Kippa Picks is a segment of Novel Days where I highlight Kindle novels that have been Self Published.

"No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?"

He knows there’s something more to the girl sitting in the back of the class the moment he sees her. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and athletic – but she slips quietly through the crowded halls, trying not to exist. Determined to get to know the elusive girl, Evan soon discovers…

Emma Thomas is hiding a terrible a secret. 

Reason to Breathe is an electrifying page turner from start to finish, a unique tale of life-changing love, unspeakable cruelty, and one girl’s fragile grasp of hope.

-Barnes & Noble

"In the uneven balance of my life, I experienced love and loss, more loss than I thought I could handle. But the love was unexpected. I almost missed out on it, too afraid and uncertain to give it a chance."

-Rebecca Donovan, Reason to Breathe

To start off my first Kippa Pick with a bang, I thought I'd review a novel that still has my jaw scraping the ground. Reason to Breathe is the story of Emma (Emily) Thomas who's guarding a secret that could destroy her, and Evan Matthews the guy who takes notice when all she wants to do is fade away.

I found the synopsis of this novel compelling, but I had no idea the impact it would have on me. I cannot praise Rebecca Donovan more for being courageous enough to take on the unsettling subject of abuse with gusto. At first I found her portrayal a bit extreme, but as the novel progressed I couldn't help but admire her for immediately thrusting us into Emma's world and cutting out the middle man. I found myself wondering at this situation, and how many people have to endure this type of home life everyday that go unnoticed. Donovan's portrayal is haunting, timely, and needed.

Emma Thomas is a young woman who is trying her best to survive. She is a 4.0 student, and a champion athlete, but in the midst of this she does not welcome connections with most people save her best friend, Sara McKinley. Emma believes she is fine living life numb to feeling until she meets Evan who causes her to wake from her trial induced slumber. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her metamorphosis into the woman she becomes by the end of the novel. I cheered with her in every victory, mourned every heartbreak, and raged against her with every denial. 

Evan Matthews. I smile as I type out his name because he represents the one guy that can always get beneath our skin. He is one of the most refreshing portrayals of a love interest that I've read in a while. He's humorous, sarcastically witty, and able to match Emma play for play. Most importantly, he is unwilling to back down from Emma no matter how many obstacles she tries to throw into the mix. To read this novel is to experience and process of a relationship. I applaud Donovan for portraying a mutual attraction from the start, but allowing Emma and Evan to go through the natural process of growing together as friends first. It's so refreshing to experience a relationship in a novel that isn't overly flowery, or inconceivable, but as right as breathing. Donovan doesn't spare Evan and Emma from the challenges that are natural of any relationship, Emma's family life adding to the challenge. In the midst of everything, Evan becomes one of the facets of this novel that filled it with hope. I soaked in every single moment of theirs and appreciated each encounter!

Emma's best friend, Sara also shone a light that Emma's character so needed. Sara's fiesty, fun, and protective as a sister. I loved how she always pushed Emma to experience life and relax a little bit! Their relationship battles the storm but emerges victoriously.

At times the plot seemed to jump around a lot. There are some scenes that the characters speak of that never actually end up in the novel, but Donovan is kind to us, and includes them on her website as outtakes.

As I write this, I'm still shaking my head about it. The ending. That ending! It's so profound and haunting, yet carries a promise of hope. I get the feeling that this story is not finished, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see a sequel in the future.

I can't recommend this novel enough! Kindle/E Book Readers, pick this one up! You will laugh, cry, and be flipped inside out by the time the journey is finished. Not to mention it's awesome value of $4.99! If you purchase from Barnes & Noble Nook or Amazon Kindle you also get the opportunity to lend it out to other friends! 

I give Reason to Breathe 5 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey. Who am I fooling? I give it the whole pot!