"People disappear all the time."

Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...

In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon—when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an "outlander"—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. - Amazon

About a month ago, I had no idea what Sassenach meant, and now it’s clearly defined as and outsider within the Scottish Highlands, or an English person... or a most knee weakening pet name when spoken by the devastating James (Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie) Fraser. I couldn’t have imagined how much Outlander would have turned my literary life upside down with over six hundred pages of Scottish enchantment.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is the historical time travel adventure of a woman named Claire Beauchamp, who during a ‘second honeymoon’ with her husband Frank in Scotland, finds herself transported from 1945 to the 18th century. There she meets James Fraser and the lot of Clan Mackenzie in a world weighted beneath revolution and civil conflict with the English, and more specifically, Black Jack Randall, a treacherous English Captain consumed with eradicating traitors.

Diana Gabaldon is a wondrous writer. I read somewhere that she wrote Outlander as a study to learn to write novels, thus allowing her imagination to flood the pages that have multiplied countless times over. One of the things that I found truly compelling was Gabaldon’s extraordinary eye for detail in her development of Clan Mackenzie, it’s various people, and the Scottish cultural folklore that saturates the entire novel. The task of realistically depicting, not only a historical time period, but one involving gaelic and Scottish dialects of English seems daunting at best. But Gabaldon commands her  historical and cultural knowledge of Scotland so beautifully.

Claire Beauchamp is such a dream protagonist who devoted her time to nursing soldiers back to health during World War II, has a keen mind for botany, and refuses to take on the role of a demure woman. Her boldness is all the more stark once she is transported back to the 18th century, giving Jamie and the Clan Mackenzie a run for their money. It’s not often I’ve experienced a historical female protagonist who is celebrated for their intelligence and strength. What I found compelling was Claire’s process of adapting to an entirely different time that is both the antithesis of who she is, yet also compliments her a bit better than the 1940s.

Jamie Fraser *cue cheesy grin* is one of the most adorable male protagonists I’ve read in a long while. He is incredibly courageous, moral, and stands strong with such integrity. Paired with his strength is his vulnerability that shines through in most of his interactions with Claire. They have such a wonderful relationship because it is forged from friendship and mutual respect. It’s really beautiful to watch them fall for each other over the course of the novel. Unlike her marriage to Frank Randall, which seems to have simmered to a routine, she and Jamie have this incredible push pull relationship capable of growth because they teach each other a plethora of lessons about themselves.

Although, Outlander is very romantic, it doesn't shy away from savage realities of the time period such as its treatment of women, or the brutality of one cultural view versus another. Frankly, I was pretty surprised at the boundaries Diana Gabaldon crosses, especially by the end. I'm not sure anything could have prepared me for Jamie's experiences, in particular, but it makes me admire Gabaldon all the more that she did not merely write a romance, but one telling a very grand human story.

Bare in mind: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon contains sexual content, profanity, violence, and disturbing scenarios.

So much can be said of this novel. That it is a beautiful romance, a homage to Scotland and the magic that grazes their scenic landscapes and waxes lyrical in spoken Gaelic, or that the waterhorse exists, or that it allows us to take in the possibility of what can happen when one woman is transported back in time to aid a man and his clan.  It is a monolith of a book that has its mundane moments, but not enough to overshadow its brilliance.

All I can really say now is that I totally understand why this saga has captured so many hearts.  I can't wait to have a Scottish Adventure all my own one day. Once again the United Kingdom calls.

"If you keep playing it safe, you'll never know who you are..."

Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last? 

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. 

Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.

-Amazon

If you ever find yourself feeling a bit discouraged about dreams or falling in love, or any manner of Monday blues...just open up any Stephanie Perkins novel. When I went to Paris, I felt as if the air itself carried a sort of pheromone rendering everyone enchanted by la vie. Isla encapsulates those feelings.

In Isla and the Happily Every After, we finally meet the third and final (?) heroine in Stephanie Perkins' romantic travelogue. Isla is a shy and quirky romantic who gains a shot at a relationship with Josh, the guy she's been dreaming of since she started at SOAP. It's always delightful to learn more about characters we've met in previous novels. Especially when I learned that Josh carries the same affections towards Isla. For a time, Isla and Josh are thrust into a whirlwind of romance, art, and the beauty of taking chances, however, as these moments become slightly unbelievable to Isla, she wonders if it's even real at all.

Josh and Isla's romance is instant, dreamy, and passionate. I share in the opinions of others, to an extent, that it does feel a bit too instant, as opposed to Anna and Lola, which felt balanced over time. That being said, Isla is a genuine romantic, and I'm not sure it would have happened another way. Frankly, as a romantic myself, I cheered that Isla gets this breathtaking romance. I can understand why some would find this to be unrealistic, but I'm of the opinion that for some love is cultivated and steady, whilst for others it may just happen as quickly as an epiphany. I did, however, find them to be a little too angsty at times. Nevertheless, their story, by the end, is so heartwarming.

Isla is something special. I think of a lot of characters I've experienced in novels, she is one of the most like me that I've ever encountered. We both share a love for beauty in art work, and adventurous stories, and curiosities, and fairy lights. I even own my own compass necklace (because one of my own characters owns one in my novel). However, what is more unsettling to admit is that I'm often plagued with a lot of the insecurities that Isla is plagued with. I found myself very surprised and happy that Stephanie Perkins tackles self worth in the way that she does. There are moments where I wanted to shake Isla, but I was stunned because it allowed me to see how insecurity left unchecked can have you fleeing as quickly as your blessing comes for fear that they will leave first. It's awesome to see this in a young adult novel. From the very beginning of the novel, Isla is stuck on Josh JOSH Josh, therefore making it a bit hard to get to know her as a character. After a while it becomes clear that Isla's having issues seeing herself accurately, and I enjoyed the small journey that she goes on to discover herself. I wanted more scenes of self discovery for Isla.

It was wonderful to see Josh away from his fun loving, sidekick persona in Anna. I fell in love with every description of his graphic novel, the fact that he would tackle something so ambitious as to document his entire experience in boarding school. I also found myself inspired to check out a few graphic novels. By the end, I enjoyed Josh' journey towards becoming more dedicated, and seeing things through. Josh is vulnerable, sometimes wearing all of his emotions on his face, and I quite enjoyed this in a male character.

Of the supporting characters, Kurt became a quick favorite of mine, for his ability to be so starkly truthful, and Isla's little sister Hattie for shaking things up, and the wisdom of a short conversation with Isla's former best friend Sanjita.

Bare in mind: Isla and the Happily Ever After contains some sexual content and profanity.

I'm not sure if this is truly the last in Stephanie Perkins' beautiful series ***coughs, Meredith***but I'm a little emotional if it is. It seems I hardly come across series' that are genuine in their portrayals of what could be considered 'cheese' and defiantly hopeful. The moments where we see all of the characters converge in Isla is golden and beautiful...makes me cry! Novels like these remind me why I love reading in the first place, and how very possible it is for fictional characters to transcend the page.

"Hold your head up, Grace. Even when you're dying inside--especially then--hold it up."

When Grace meets Ian, she's afraid. Afraid he'll reject her like the rest of the school, like her own family. After she accuses Zac, the town golden boy, of rape, everyone turns against her. Ian wouldn't be the first to call her a slut and a liar.Except Ian doesn't reject her. He's the one person who looks past the taunts and the names and the tough-girl act to see the real Grace. He's the one who gives her the courage to fight back.He's also Zac's best friend.
-Amazon

I chanced upon Some Boys by Patty Blount one day during my lunch hour, drawn to its cover and excited at the prospect of watching a relationship blossom in the midst of tough odds. I love stories like that. What I got was a heartfelt story of a girl named Grace who is raped by the popular athlete in town, and his best friend named Ian who decides to go against the tide. 

Grace, aptly named, is a wonderful heroine. She endures horrible persecution, after being violated in the worst way possible, with such strength, even in the midst of her own anxiety. She forges forward in spite of friends who have turned against her to gain popularity, and pathetic adults who turn their sights away from a girl crying for help, in favor of who may become the next lacrosse champion. Ian, on the other hand, sits back and observes Grace's pain, until he can't help but unscramble the jumble of scenarios gossiped in hallways. After long, Ian cannot shake the nagging feeling that there's more going on than a girls' vengeful fight to tarnish his best friends' reputation, and he must choose either to side with his friends comfortably, or to stand up and be ridiculed.

Patty Blount has crafted a great story with strong arguments about the sad reality a woman faces when she opens up about rape. Within the first few chapters, I found myself livid, not merely by the lack of support from her peers, but more of her teachers and parents. Perhaps it's obvious, that the adults in her life would have minds just as fickle as her peers, but God help every young woman/man who's ever in this situation if these are the adults 'supporting' them. It's unforgivable that anyone could turn their attentions away from a girl who's obviously traumatized and allow her to be taunted in the hallways of her school. Blount also crafted a wonderful character in Ian, realistically showcasing his conflict over believing Grace, or siding with his friend.

I wished that Ian and his friendship with Grace were more well rounded. Aside from being an athlete, I wanted more of what makes Ian tick. I'm told that Ian and Grace are drawn to each other, and right then, I'm ready for the ride, but I wanted to know what draws them towards each other. It would have been awesome to experience more in depth conversations. It seemed that aside from a few short occasions, they only really talked of the situation at hand. I just needed that extra punch.

Bare in mind: Some Boys contains allusions to disturbing scenarios, rape, and profanity.

There's are only a few things that can stir me up, and 'rape culture' is one of them. It's unfathomable that a man can sit back, his arms crossed lazily over his chest, claim to be strong, powerful, and intelligent, and yet in the same breath claim that any woman, man, or child made him lose control. It is unfathomable that men who are raised to be warriors somehow lack the propensity to control themselves sexually. I'm scratching my head right now just thinking, this issue doesn't need an eloquent dissertation, it only needs men willing to stand up and take responsibility for their actions, and learn to cultivate respect for the people around them. It takes people unwilling to perpetuate this disregard for others. To support their sons and daughters when they vulnerably open up in confidence. It hurts to know that there are people everywhere opening up about their experiences, and being treated as if it's all in their imagination.

Perhaps we have a long way to go, but that's all it takes.

If you, or anyone you know, have been the victim of sexual assault (or would like more information on how to help) please contact the wonderful folks at RAINN (1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

You're all always in my thoughts and prayers.

"What a treacherous thing it is to believe that a person is more than a person."

ND Tunes | D'arline by The Civil Wars

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night—dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows her. Margo’s always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she’s always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they’re for Q.Printz Medalist John Green returns with the trademark brilliant wit and heart-stopping emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of readers. -Amazon

Dear Blue,

I finished it! I finally understand what Margo Roth Spiegelman means to everyone!

I spent all summer trying to finish this book (and believe me, this is in no way, evidence that Paper Towns is a boring novel). It's just been one of those summers of noncommittal reading. I also started a book club of sorts with a lovely girl when we both discovered our love for YA...she actually lives around the corner from me, believe it or not. I had recently started Paper Towns, and she had begun a reread of the same, and we both decided that it should be the first of many books in our makeshift club. But you know what happens when you have an obligation to read...it lays dormant at the bottom of my bag, ignored for other novels, left on my bed when I meant to pick it up... Either way, the important part is that I finally finished it during the past week.

Paper Towns by John Green is about Quentin Jacobsen and his unparalleled fascination with the adventurous and enigmatic girl next door, Margo Roth Spiegelman. More importantly, it's a story about a journey towards truly knowing someone.

Everyone has a Margo Roth Spiegelman in their lives. That one person that almost seems mythic in their conception. Floating just above the mundane nuances of everyday life. Any time I surrender to a fevered crush, I look at each guy as if he's the single most fascinating person on the planet, and everything from the velvety tone of his voice, to the sound of his dress shoes on the carpet carries some form of poetry. And then one day, I walk into the communal area on my job, and watch as he nervously sops up steaming coffee frothing over the edge of his styrophone cup, and I realize he wakes up just as disgruntled on Mondays as everyone else does.

One of the most eye opening facets about this novel is how it reveals the ideas we have about people. Fantasies that we often choose over the real thing because it can be more fun to piece a person together like a paper doll, than to deal with someone of flesh and bone with feelings, emotions, and a host of flaws. This is the thing I think I love about John Green the most. He has the ability to make human again the person once untouchable. It's a lot of fun to read novels where the main character attracts that seemingly unattainable character, but it's gold to observe an author turn fantastical ideas on their heads, and make real life that magical thing we all should seek after.

I'll say that I wasn't as moved by this novel as I was by The Fault In Our Stars, but that doesn't diminish the truth it holds, and I recommend that you read this novel at least once.

Also, if you've read Paper Towns, you know how strongly Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass pulses through it. I've never read any of Whitman's work, but John Green has inspired me to jump in. Who knows. Maybe I'll highlight passages and leave it for someone special to find.

 Hugs and Love, 

 Britta

"There's still lots of good in the world." Book Review | The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Ponyboy can count on his brothers and his friends, but not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids who get away with everything, including beating up greasers like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect--until the night someone takes things too far. Written forty-five years ago, S. E. Hinton's classic story of a boy who finds himself on the outskirts of regular society remains as powerful today as it was the day it was written.

Dear Blue,

I've just finished reading The Outsiders and I'm pretty speechless. This is one of those novels where everything I'll say has probably been said before, but it's universal resonance makes me feel more connected with you. With that in mind...

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is about two groups of boys, The Greasers, from the working class, and The Socs, from the upper class. It's about Ponyboy, his two brothers, Dally and Sodapop, and their entire crew--how they deal with vicious ridicule from the Socs. Ponyboy is a fourteen year old dreamer, fitting himself into the mold of the Greaser because he was born into it, but he has a mind un-tethered by the chains that often keep other Greasers running the streets. In a conversational style, S.E. Hinton showcases bullying and what it means to rise above, through Ponyboy's point of view, and I loved every second of it. Each word stuck to me, each joy, and unfortunate growing pain. 

Firstly, The Outsiders surprised me for a novel birthed in the sixties. S.E. Hinton showcases bullying in such a tremendously raw way that I was totally not expecting. I think there are novels of present that lack this kind of naked exploration, and I really appreciated it. The way Hinton explores what it means to be in a brotherhood through Pony, his brothers and their friends is priceless. It was one of the best parts of this novel. It reminded me that sometimes I don't appreciate my own friends and family the way that they should be. Their relationships were so emotional, and I loved that Hinton is unafraid of depicting masculinity so vulnerably. 

Secondly, I loved that each character seemed fully fleshed, and adequate personifications of conflict, courage, youth, strength, and innocence. There isn't a single character that I couldn't sympathize with, and the end is well...too much to handle. 

I remember being ridiculed in middle school and high school. How hopeless you feel when you can't change the thing that they've chosen to highlight because it's a part of you. But the beauty hidden in the shadows of high school, is if you're paying attention, there's always a kid who's forced to fit their small feet into the loafers of an adult. A kid who almost seems immune to the childishness of bullying because the world, the real world, is above it all. The best parts of the novel are the bits where kids from each side of the fence start to question their reasoning for hating the other, and open up about the catch 22's of each sides. How each side can eventually add up to the same sum= a person void of wonder and humanity. If you lose your childlike wonder for life and people, what else is there? This novel holds the best parts of what it means to be young, to be passionate, and to stick close by your family (which has nothing to do with blood).

Bare in Mind: The Outsiders contains violence and bullying.

I can't tell you how ecstatic I am not to have been forced to read this in school. I think that sometimes there's a nugget of awesomeness that we miss when something profound is forced on us. The Outsiders is a beautiful novel, and it deserves all of the praise it's received over the years. I haven't seen the film yet, but I already hope they make a remake. I'd love to see how our generation would spin this story.

Let's head to Johnny Rockets and talk this over over Oreo Milkshakes.

P.S.- Oh My Gosh, Johnny. *Wails and sits in a dark corner for a while*

P.S.S.- The fact that Ponyboy and Sodapop's real names are Ponyboy and Sodapop makes me seriously want to name my own sons (God Willing) these epic names. Maybe I'll just start with my Tumblr moniker.

Winter's Tale | In Defense of Sentimentality

Dear Blue,

I'm so sorry that I haven't written in a long while. It's really Winter's Tale' fault. When I first watched the trailer, I was stunned at the stark emotion flooding from Colin Farrell's eyes. I think it's rare to find this kind of unabashed emotion flowing from someone else, and it immediately drove me to discover more about the story. And then I discovered that Winter's Tale was adapted from a novel...don't tell me that a film was adapted from a novel, because I'll make it my mission. What I discovered was a 700+ page (exquisitely written) monolith that tells a simple (or not so simple) love story rooted to complex and even lofty ideas of love, justice, faith and purpose that really astounds me. But more on that later, as I haven't finished the novel yet.

I saw the film yesterday, and I thought I'd take a moment to write you about what has amazed me most (so far) about unabashed sentimentality.

If you decide to read Winter's Tale or watch the film (I do recommend both), you'll discover that the main protagonist, Peter Lake, has a heart the size of the Atlantic ocean. He's an orphan who has, unfortunately, been thrust into quite a few unsavory scenarios in a seeming unforgiving Edwardian New York City, via the crazed Pearly Somes. But his heart somehow remains pure, in that he wants what everyone wants: to discover his purpose, to love and be loved, and to stand up for the justice of the impoverished. When Peter meets Beverly, a young woman with consumption, his purpose cracks wide open in a split second, and they are unafraid to immediately plunge into the kind of love that can put off some in this generation. Perhaps, it's Beverly's precarious situation that renders them unwilling to be bothered with pretensions and games of their feelings. Peter and Beverly's love for each other, beautifully portrayed by Mr. Farrell and Ms. Findlay, is a wonder to behold. It immediately seems plausible that their love and care for each other's welfare is genuine. A few people have reviewed the love portrayed in the film as naive, unbelievable, or cliche. I don't argue against those, as everyone has their own preference. But my question is, what is real love, if not an unabashedly naked naivety that exposes all of the uncomfortable bits we've all been made to feel are childish?

I think that sometimes the world can seem so harrowing, that we retreat into a fortress within ourselves, where a voice says, "Stand Strong. Don't cry. Always be a step ahead of everyone else. Never show weakness. Never show them how you really feel." When we see the opposite of these emotions played out, it can feel absolutely ridiculous. It's all a risk. Every single layer of love seems as if it were designed to be the nuclear bomb to our defenses. It's sticky, warm, and shakes us out of our caricatures, and into our true selves, which can be unnerving. But consider that continuing to love, to be tender and open in a war zone of a world, holds more courage than artificial stoicism. When did we start believing that apathy is worth aspiring to? If love weren't like this, what would be worth the fight? If it didn't so expose who we think we are as lies, what would be the point?

In defense of sentimentality in storytelling, I say, yes, there are loads of manufactured stories of love at first sight. By all means, stay away from those. But there are some stories that are real. Some that are possible in real life with God fashioning it. Sometimes watching them, or reading about them may make you laugh, or roll your eyes. But even that doesn't make them any less possible.

If I've taken nothing else from this novel/film, it's that for all of us, truly awe inspiring things are possible, but the hard and even cliched answer is, you must have faith for any of these things to come true.

If you've seen or read Winter's Tale, what did you think of them (no spoilers, as I'm only 300 pages into the novel :-)?

Loads of Love,

Book Review | Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life--and she's really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving.
Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to. Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?
-Amazon

Dear Blue, 

I can't imagine that when you read Cath, her hesitance to jump into life, her insane passion for stories, and doubtful thoughts about her abilities as a writer, that you don't think you're reading yourself from the time you were in school. Or maybe that unabashedly her person is still you. Either way, I can attest that of characters I've read and thought maybe I could relate to them...Cath takes it. 

There are a few reasons why I think Fangirl is one of the best young adult novels I've read. First is Cath. Cath is awkward and unsure of herself, a bit unsteady as to where she fits. She's everyone of us at various stages of our lives, especially if you're a "bookish fandom dweller". She embraces her dork, is passionate about fanfiction (I have a fave fanfiction fandom for each stage of life: The Mummy (1999) when I was in high school. Twilight whilst in college. And The Hunger Games now.) and she can't help but stumble through falling in love for the first time.

Second are the beautiful relationships throughout the story. Levi is well...perfection (I'm praying for one of my own) . Sunny, organic, lovely...perfect for Cath. I loved their layered growth, and how young and happy reading about them made me feel. Everyone should have a Levi, or arguably better, be the Levi to someone else. I also loved watching Cath blossom through her friendship with Reagan, her no nonsense roommate, and Wren, her twin sister who, at first, seems to be growing away from her. There's nothing better than to be taken on a journey where by the end, you see the main character grow into who you cheered for her to be all along! It made me take a sigh of relief for myself. For the freshman year Britta who dealt with the same issues of feeling like the only human being who was passionate about what she was passionate about, with guys, and finding a place. This novel also has it's serious points with Cath and Wren's parents, and their challenge to move beyond said situations. These moments balanced out the novel so well.

Third is writing. Rainbow Rowell wrote an article about Fangirl being her NanoWrimo darling. The novel she had to push through, that made her have to create the branches as she fell to grab hold of. In the novel, Cath is forced to face herself as a writer, and challenged to move away from the parts of herself that looks to fanfiction as a security blanket. As a writer, I think I'm always looking for that assurance that it's okay to feel a little unstable. Like you're walking on glass that cracks every time you take a step, but it's okay. It's okay. Push through anyway. That's what this novel was to me. A glowing minty reminder to keep going. If I ever taught creative writing, I'd surely make my students read this novel. 

Bare in mind: Fangirl contains profanity, slight sensuality, and  excerpts of non explicit Slash fanfiction.

Fangirl was a refreshing ball of joy. The way Rainbow Rowell explores life in such a snarky, romantic, and overall awesome way is priceless. It perfectly captures the rush of finding a story that sucks you into it's world so much that it becomes a friend, and gateway to an even larger family. 

Let's grab Gingerbread Lattes and have a jam session about this book for a full Saturday Afternoon. We're going in for the long haul.

Hugs and love,

2014 Top 8 TBR List

Dear Blue:

HAPPY 2014!

I hope that you've met the year blessed, and optimistic of all the awesomeness coming your way.

I've spent the opening days of the new year reading Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and reading it one page at a time to prolong it. That darn Rainbow Rowell just keeps pulling fantastic stories out of her fabulous brain, and making me cry, and laugh, and feel that wonderstruck feeling in the pit of my stomach! There will be more about this soon. Here are six of the books I'm looking forward to reading in 2014.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer | Michelle Hodkin: Mara released during a time where supernatural/haunting romances were slowly descending down my list of literary turn on's, but it's always been one of those novels to pop up on my Tumblr Dash. With it's finale releasing this year, I thought why not see what all the fuss is about. Hearing fans unabashedly shout their love for Mara and Noah makes me want to become one of them. It's actually kind of sad that books with the most popularity often send me running in the other direction. I'm sure I miss a lot of great ones!

Landline | Rainbow Rowell: After Eleanor and Park, Attachments, and now Fangirl, I've decided that I will read everything Rainbow Rowell ever writes. She has such a talent for capturing real life, and all it's funny bits. (I'm sure you'd want a Levi after finishing FANGIRL. I promise.) In Landline, a wife gets to have phone conversations with her husband, but years in the past, and has a shot at changing her marriage for the better (or worst...we shall see)...Screams awesome to me!

This Star Won't Go Out | Esther Earl: One of my 2014 reading goals is to start a tradition where I reread at least one book a year. This year it shall be the profound and heart shattering, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. When I discovered that Hazel-Grace was inspired by a girl named Esther Earl who, unfortunately, lost her battle with thyroid cancer when she was sixteen years old, I couldn't wait to read about the inspiration of one of my favorite novels, but even more so, I can't wait to meet a beautiful young, effervescent woman. Normally, I fill my shelves with surreal stories that take my mind away from the starkness of reality, but this year I wanted to open my eyes to the real people who overcome insurmountable odds like the greatest of heroes in any novel. It reminds me that if these people can persevere, by God's Grace, I can too!

Isla and the Happily Ever After | Stephanie Perkins:  There are sickening romances with cliched characterization and story lines, and then there's Stephanie Perkins, a writer with the magic touch. Her novels are stomachs full of butterflies, and the vitamin c kissed energy that flows beneath your skin (even in the chills on the surface) when you meet someone you like for the first time. She has just the boost if you're in the mood for a sweet, believable love story. I'm so sad that this series ends with Isla, but I'm ecstatic for it!

Alena | Rachel Pastan: All I needed to know was that this book was inspired by Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, making it also inspired by Jane Eyre. Sold.

God Shaped Hole  | Tiffanie DeBartolo: The heroine of this novel answers an ad in the newspaper of a man "seeking a friend for the end of the world", all the while trembling in the wake of a fortune teller's speculation that her true love would die young. Pretty much sold.

Now all I have to do is somehow make room for other book boyfriends in wake of Levi.

What books are you looking forward to, Blue?

Hugs and Love,

SPOTTED | The Cadillac of Books

One book. Two readers. A world of mystery, menace, and desire. A young woman picks up a book left behind by a stranger. Inside it are his margin notes, which reveal a reader entranced by the story and by its mysterious author. She responds with notes of her own, leaving the book for the stranger, and so begins an unlikely conversation that plunges them both into the unknown.

The book: Ship of Theseus, the final novel by a prolific but enigmatic writer named V.M. Straka, in which a man with no past is shanghaied onto a strange ship with a monstrous crew and launched onto a disorienting and perilous journey.

The writer: Straka, the incendiary and secretive subject of one of the world’s greatest mysteries, a revolutionary about whom the world knows nothing apart from the words he wrote and the rumors that swirl around him.

The readers: Jennifer and Eric, a college senior and a disgraced grad student, both facing crucial decisions about who they are, who they might become, and how much they’re willing to trust another person with their passions, hurts, and fears.

S., conceived by filmmaker J. J. Abrams and written by award-winning novelist Doug Dorst, is the chronicle of two readers finding each other in the margins of a book and enmeshing themselves in a deadly struggle between forces they don’t understand, and it is also Abrams and Dorst’s love letter to the written word. 

-Amazon

Dear Blue,

I interrupt your Christmas festivities to bring you one of the most beautiful novels I own. I don't know about you, but I was always the type in college to buy used novels with unabashed glee. The more marks, scribbles, facts, and underlines a book contains, especially of classic books, the more I want it. Sure, I love new books like the next person, but sometimes I like a book to feel lived in like an old pair of jeans. Thankfully, these are always the cheapest! I remember when I was in elementary school, my mom bought me this beautiful hardcover special edition of The Babysitter's Club, containing all sorts of Christmas greetings, letters, and pictures to explore. I wore this book out! But I've stumbled upon a grown up version of that wonder. The Cadillac of books, also known as my book boyfriend for the time being (next to The Giver).

I knew nothing of  S , when my book bud, Kate, told me about it, than it's synopsis, and it's aesthetic beauty...but that was enough to make me grab my shopping bag full of pennies, and rush out an acquire it the very next day. S is a novel conceived by acclaimed director J.J. Abrams and PEN/Hemingway award nominee Doug Dorst about a fictitious enigmatic author named V. M. Straka and his grand last work, Ship of Theseus.  The story within a story is told through the correspondences written in the margins by Jennifer, and undergrad who discovers said novel in the  university library, and Eric, a grad student studying Straka. It seems the authors sought to make us characters as well, by creating a physical Ship of Theseus, and allowing readers to discover the story and its author, as the characters do. Ambitious and so very awesome. I fell in love with Jen and Eric just by reading their banter on the title page (above).

"What begins at the water shall end there. And what ends there shall once more begin."

S is a book lovers dream come true. Its' publishers managed to recreate the likeness of an old library book, even down to the stamps on the spine and inside covers. It carries the faint fragrance of age. I haven't allowed myself to truly explore the novel yet (as I just purchased it), but the whole concept of it thrills me. It feels like being a part of an epic secret that you get to hold in your hands everyday. Plus how awesome would it be to engage a stranger about books, in the actual book itself?

In speaking with my friend, Ariel, who rushed out for his own copy this week, we discussed how publishers are now tasked with the challenge of creating quality physical books in a world practically operating on Whispersync. We chatted about books being a completely immersive experience--not that words necessarily need anything more than life to create a wondrous experience--but that authors/publishers would use other mediums to their advantage to further enhance the text. I'm loving that more authors and publishers are creating such interactive reading experiences by the inclusion of letters, videos, tokens like napkins or maps, or anything to make this conceived world feel even more real. What do you think about these additions? Do they thrill you, or distract you from a novel?

S is a bit pricier than the average, well by a few dollars or so ($28 with a Barnes and Noble discount and 30% off/ $35 without), but on first impressions, I find this to be a magical homage to the beauty words. I can see us fangirling for a while over the bits tucked into these pages.

Hugs, Love, and Unabashed Fangirling,

"It takes nothing to say you love a person when she's perfect..." BOOK REVIEW | In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I’ve Done, the first novel in the Birthright series, introduced us to timeless heroine Anya Balanchine, a plucky sixteen year old with the heart of a girl and the responsibilities of a grown woman. Now eighteen, life has been more bitter than sweet for Anya. She has lost her parents and her grandmother, and has spent the better part of her high school years in trouble with the law. Perhaps hardest of all, her decision to open a nightclub with her old nemesis Charles Delacroix has cost Anya her relationship with Win. Still, it is Anya’s nature to soldier on. She puts the loss of Win behind her and focuses on her work. Against the odds, the nightclub becomes an enormous success, and Anya feels like she is on her way and that nothing will ever go wrong for her again. But after a terrible misjudgment leaves Anya fighting for her life, she is forced to reckon with her choices and to let people help her for the first time in her life. In the Age of Love and Chocolate is the story of growing up and learning what love really is. It showcases the best of Gabrielle Zevin’s writing for young adults: the intricate characterization of Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac and the big-heartedness of Elsewhere. It will make you remember why you loved her writing in the first place. -Amazon

Dear Blue,

Sending loads of love and a nice bar of Dark Room chocolate!

Anya Balanchine and friends are my wayward distant family who only visit once in a while, bearing epic stories of drastic proportions. And like family, they can do pretty much whatever they'd like (within reason), and I'd still love them. With, In The Age of Love and Chocolate, Gabrielle Zevin brings Anya full circle, revealing a mature entrepreneur who finally seems at peace with the path her life is taking. She's successful, a wonderful guardian to her younger sister, Natty, and a supportive friend, however, certain 'mafiya' ties begin to seep slowly into her life once more, awakening regrets, and furthermore threatening her life. Threats aside, the one lesson that proves more precarious than them all, is the battle that wages inside  herself to accept love, and stop punishing herself for her past decisions.

I tend to have highly romantic sentiments. I've had them ever since I was little and became quite taken with the idea that people can mean more to each other than day to day sincerity. But, I also battle with a more cynical side that questions everything quietly. This is what I most adore about Ms. Anya Balanchine. She holds a character that seems to be lacking in young adult literature. Most heroine's seem to have overwhelming romantic sensibilities, or the facade of angst, that gives way to ruminating constantly on their love interests. Don't get me wrong, I'm not pro superfluous angst. I quite love characters that share the balance. But Anya's real, and the more positive side of the way she thinks is that she is not all love and no accomplishment. She has ambitious goals, and is unwilling to give them up, even if it means giving up (though reluctantly) the one she loves.  She likes to think love exists, but the realities she's been exposed to at such a young age prevents her from seeing the sunnier side of the street. She never reads as some kid whining to be whining, and I really appreciated this. I most love the growth that Gabrielle Zevin brings about in her so beautifully. I get the feeling that Zevin had quite a bit of fun throwing Anya's life in the garbage disposal for three novels, but to tie it all together in a rich 'Zevin'tine' dark...priceless.

Along with growth, Gabrielle Zevin packs as much action, and out of pocket scenarios as always for a fast paced, exciting read. This action is what I've come to love about the Birthright series in the first place. I always felt as if I could never come close to predicting what would happen. Like Mr. Delacroix. He's one of the most spectacular things to happen to this novel. Such a portrait of what it means to forgive.

All of the above said, I can't think of a better way to end this series. I literally got every single thing I could've wanted (in a non Breaking Dawn kind of way). Truth be told, all I cared about was my darling Yuji Ono. From the first novel, Yuji struck a smooth, dangerous chord with me that refused to let up. He is the Peeta of the Birthright series. Not because they both have the same personalities (in fact they might even be polar opposites), but out of the cast of possible love interests, Yuji's the only one who can truly sympathize with what being in a mafiya family means. Win, however, is extraordinarily special because he causes Anya to snap out of herself, and embrace a happiness she never thought possible. Win is Peeta in personality and action (I'm just taking this opportunity to brag about Peeta as much as possible before the premiere of Catching Fire... and now back to your regularly scheduled programming).

Bare in mind: In The Age of Love and Chocolate contains violence.

It's so rare to find a great unconventional story that both grabs your attention like a comet, and is also filled with a subtly greater message. The Birthright Series is that story. It's been such a treat lingering in this awesome futuristic New York City, and I'm really gonna miss it!

Let's head to a cafe and fangirl over 5 cups of Theobromas.

Hugs and love,

Spotted | The Novel Cure: 751 Books to Cure What Ails You by Ella Bethoud and Susan Elderkin

Dear Blue:

Loads of smiles and blessings to you, Dearie. 

I come bearing a gift sure to knock your bookish fancy off its axis. I've forgotten what book I was actually looking for when I spotted The Novel Cure by Ella Bethoud and Susan Elderkin, but like kids running towards the Ice Cream Truck, I could not take my eyes off it. It is, quite simply, the definitive bibliophile's dream. It's bound simplistically with a lovely (and rather sturdy) book jacket, it's a solid weight with a satisfying number of pages, and even though it's a whopping $26.95 (This is the reason I go to the Strand so often...my poor wallet) (Another reason I shouldn't wander through a bookstore aimlessly), I rushed to B&N during my lunch hour to grab up this little treasure.

Have you ever felt a kinship with a character who just happens to be going through the same things as you? Felt the uncanny pleasure that comes with discovering that a writer has somehow tapped into your life for a mere moment? Imagine a dictionary filled with every emotion you could experience (Anxiety, Broken Heart, Dizziness, or Fear of Flying, for example,) and instead of finding useless suggestions, you could discover a novel that may put your 'ailment' in perspective. That is the aim of The Novel Cure. I had such fun discovering which novels were paired with which 'ailments': Carelessness = The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery (e.g. my brain in written form), Breaking Up = High Fidelity by Nick Hornby, or Broken Heart = (my favorite) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Along with fabulous suggestions for numerous ailments, they've also included Top Ten Lists for every age group,  Sitting in the Bathroom, Flying on a Plane and more. Approaching my thirties means taking on a ten year project of reading the books on their 30 Somethings list. But I might as well not get ahead of myself and finish my twenties off with a bang. I have one more full year of twenty, after all.

The only bone I have to pick with these beautiful women are that for some novel suggestions they explain a little too much, spoiling major plot lines for said books (*coughs, Jane Eyre*). But if you're like me, especially for some classics, it won't matter so much that the plot has been exposed, as the experience is worth taking a gander on regardless. This book has placed a ton of novels on my radar (as if I needed any help) that I would never have encountered, like Oroonoko by Aphra Behn, written in 1688 under the entry, Bitterness, about a couple who must endure overwhelming odds, but who manage often frightening circumstances with hope and courage. Who doesn't need a lesson in gratefulness these days, when the mere thought of my Venti Caramel Brulee Latte being prepared wrong could have me spiraling into post Quarter Life Crisis?

I can't imagine holding a better bookish book in my hands, and if I could, I would send it straight to you.

Hugs and Love,

"I believe in happy endings with all heart." Book Review | SilverLinings Playbook by Matthew Quick

An enchanting first novel about love, madness, and Kenny G. The Silver Linings Playbook is the riotous and poignant story of how one man regains his memory and comes to terms with the magnitude of his wife’s betrayal. During the years he spends in a neural  health facility, Pat Peoples formulates a theory about silver linings: he believes his life is a movie produced by God, his mission is to become physically fit and emotionally supportive, and his happy ending will be the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. When Pat goes to live with his parents, everything seems changed: no one will talk to him about Nikki; his old friends are saddled with families; the Philadelphia Eagles keep losing, making his father moody; and his new therapist seems to be recommending adultery as a form of therapy. When Pat meets the tragically widowed and clinically depressed Tiffany, she offers to act as a liaison between him and his wife, if only he will give up watching football, agree to perform in this year’s Dance Away Depression competition, and promise not to tell anyone about their “contract.” All the while, Pat keeps searching for his silver lining. In this brilliantly written debut novel, Matthew Quick takes us inside Pat’s mind, deftly showing us the world from his distorted yet endearing perspective. The result is a touching and funny story that helps us look at both depression and love in a wonderfully refreshing way.

-Amazon 

Dear Blue,

I hope this letter finds you most ecstatically happy!

You know those people in your circle who maintain an almost ridiculous sense of optimism? A kind that almost makes you cringe, but once you’re alone, you almost admire them for their bravery when it all looks to be a waste? That, my friend, is who you’ll meet in Pat, the guy Matthew Quick wraps and packages for you in Silver Linings Playbook.

In the novel, Pat’s come home from a mental health facility, with one mission: to win his wife, Nikki, back by a series of exercises, book lists, and good deeds. He has such a childlike assurance that there is a set time where seeming bad luck fades away, leaving only the precious silver lining. Matthew Quick paints a true to life scenario of what it must feel like to live with bipolar disorder on a daily basis, which I found really touching. How brave is it to deal with a life that triggers uncontrollable outbursts, but continue to try with all of your might to be the best you can be? That’s what I call pulling yourself up by your bootstraps (truthfully, I get this turn of phrase, but it’s also a little ridiculous…). I found Pat’s interactions with his disconnected father, overbearing yet lovable mother, spirited brother, supportive psychiatrist (Cliff is one of my favorite characters in the novel), and newfound question mark, Tiffany, to be one of a kind. Matthew Quick executes clever wit and insight in a way that will most definitely charm, and make your heart ache a little. Almost every interaction is striking, or painfully awkward in the most beautiful and unique way, I couldn't help but give him credit because oftentimes reality is 'Did I really just say that?' painful.

I watched the film before I ever knew it was an adaptation, and I approached the novel looking forward to experiencing how Matthew Quick paints the relationship between Pat and Tiffany. It was a brilliant hot mess in the film! What I discovered, however, was something very different from the film. Tiffany is still very bold, but infinitely more solemn a great deal of the novel. In fact there are huge chunks of silence in the book that really surprised me. I wanted into Tiffany's head more than we actually delve in, however, I came to realize near the end of the novel how much Pat and Nikki truly need each other. You will come to view bowls of Raisin Bran, dance competitions, and cloud formations in a different light, I'll tell you that.

That being said, you might not like this novel if you aren’t a crazed football fan. These characters chant for the Eagles more than a child for sweets. In fact, whilst reading the book, I found myself in an Inception-esque scene, when Pat, his father, and brother are going wild for the Eagles, and my father is doing the exact same thing in our living room (*looks both ways, and whispers: Run!*). I did feel the need to skim a lot of these scenes because it became a bit repetitive.

Bare in mind that this novel contains profanity, and adult content/scenarios.

Silver Linings Playbook is one I think every outsider should read…and that’s literally everyone who’s ever lived. If you ignore the football (unless you love it), and dismiss the moments where you find Pat out of his mind with childlike faith, you may come to find that by the end your own faith is growing as well. We all need good old fashioned faith, and in order to keep on living, it might as well be ridiculous.

                  

Let’s have 4 cups of tea and chat about it!

Love, Britta

P.S.- If you're wondering who on earth Blue is, click here for an introduction to my renewed way of writing reviews, and thanks so much for reading.

"Never ask for what ought to be offered." Book Review | Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell

Ree Dolly's father has skipped bail on charges that he ran a crystal meth lab, and the Dollys will lose their house if he doesn't show up for his next court date. With two young brothers depending on her, 16-year-old Ree knows she has to bring her father back, dead or alive. Living in the harsh poverty of the Ozarks, Ree learns quickly that asking questions of the rough Dolly clan can be a fatal mistake. But, as an unsettling revelation lurks, Ree discovers unforeseen depths in herself and in a family network that protects its own at any cost. -Amazon

Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell is a complete departure from novels that would normally draw me in, but, I made it my business to deliberately gain a new perspective this year. I think I've discovered a new favorite writer.

In this mysterious Southern Noir, Daniel Woodrell tells the story of a seventeen year old girl named Ree Dolly, who is tasked with the great challenge of finding her father before his court date, or else she, her mentally challenged mother, and two brothers will lose their home in the wild and rocky Ozarks. Winter's Bone will not coddle you with heartwarming sentiments, and promises of unity, no; but it will dig deep into you, revealing a protagonist with more heart and spirit than has been seen for a long while. Daniel Woodrell's protrayal of Ree Dolly is inspired with her unwavering strength and determination to take care of her family against her distant relatives who would seem to rather see them homeless in blistery winter, than break their stubborn pride and unspoken rules.

This is definitely a difficult story to read, and I admit that if it weren't for Daniel Woodrell's beautiful writing, and ability to create heartfelt layers with subtlety, I may have put the book down. But Ree Dolly's journey amazed me, showing a true example of what one can achieve when put in position to have to stand. The abuse she endures at the hands of her own family, both distant and close, could have broken anyone, let alone a teenaged girl with ambitious hopes to join the army and travel the world. Tender moments with Ree teaching her brothers to cook, hunt, and take care of themselves, further twisted my heart for their situation. I loved the dynamic between Ree and her Uncle Teardrop. Teardrop is such a layered and intriguing character who is often forceful, but seems motivated by his desire to protect Ree and his family. I see the same conflict within many characters in the novel, somehow ensnared by their desire to keep the unspoken rules of their family sacred, and yet remain humane to those around them.

What really caught me off guard was Daniel Woodrell's writing. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but not the lyrical, picturesque poetry that captured perfectly the beautiful, untamed, and often treacherous landscape (and people) of the Ozarks. I loved that the family Woodrell portrays carries historical ties to the land, and has their own mythology about their beginnings. In the past, I haven't taken very well to dialect, but Woodrell captures a wonderfully melodic voice that does not distract, but further enhances the world of Winter's Bone. I'm not sure why Daniel Woodrell does not garner more acclaim and popularity than he does. He's fantastic.

Bare in mind: Winter's Bone contains profanity, violence, sensuality, and disturbing scenarios.

Whether you're a Southern Gothic Lit fan, or looking to read a thrilling, and complex story that will grab hold of your heart, I can't recommend Winter's Bone more.  It's like a writers dream.

 

I give Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell five out of five cups of Irish Breakfast.

P.S- Don't forget to enter my giveaway for JUST ONE YEAR by Gayle Forman! I can't believe in a few short weeks, I'll have a copy in my hands!

A Word on the Film Adaptation

Initially, watching the film led me to the book, as I found myself transfixed by it's beautiful cinematography, and scenic views (blame tumblr for my newfound love of the great outdoors). As with most film adaptations, certain elements are changed, but not enough to change the actual story. Jennifer Lawrence is absolutely brilliant as Ree Dolly, capturing her strength and determination. I have heard around that the film changed her siblings to a brother and sister after having found two children who lived where they filmed. This was a beautiful choice. It seems as if the kids aren't even acting, but living their lives. They were adorable.

The movie is a bit of a bummer to watch with the subject matter and all, but I recommend it. That being said, I do feel like the book lends a more personal experience, but I'm guessing this is the case with all books.

                   

I give the film adaptation 4 out of 5 cups of Irish Breakfast.

Book Review + Film | The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

This National Book Award Finalist is now a major motion picture -- one of the most buzzed-about films at Sundance 2013, starring Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller. SUTTER KEELY. HE’S the guy you want at your party. He’ll get everyone dancing. He’ ll get everyone in your parents’ pool. Okay, so he’s not exactly a shining academic star. He has no plans for college and will probably end up folding men’s shirts for a living. But there are plenty of ladies in town, and with the help of Dean Martin and Seagram’s V.O., life’s pretty fabuloso, actually. Until the morning he wakes up on a random front lawn, and he meets Aimee. Aimee’s clueless. Aimee is a social disaster. Aimee needs help, and it’s up to the Sutterman to show Aimee a splendiferous time and then let her go forth and prosper. But Aimee’s not like other girls, and before long he’s in way over his head. For the first time in his life, he has the power to make a difference in someone else’s life—or ruin it forever.
-Amazon

Thoroughly jazzed by its title, The Spectacular Now promised to be a good, old fashioned coming of age novel about a guy trying to find his way, all the while helping a girl discover her own way. I came away from this feeling a little mixed about it.

Tim Tharp has woven an effervescent character with Sutter (I love his name!). His POV is hilarious, clever and at odd times, insightful. From the first page his voice is clear and strong like a wind blowing right into your face during the Fall. Cue Aimee (In love with this spelling), the young woman who has charmed her way into his life with her kindness and selfless disposition. I enjoyed observing Aimee and Sutter together, watching as she opens his mind with her highly ambitious dreams. She carries a hope that infiltrates Sutter's clever wit, and often cynical view towards the people around him.

Sutter's journey is, at it's core, heartbreaking as he masks his feelings of being unwanted with long, intense bouts with alcohol, and gilded optimism that more often keeps him complacent rather than steadily moving forward into the future. Aimee's backstory cracked my heart all the more as I wondered how many young women have had their spirits broken by neglectful abuse.

Tim Tharp is an excellent writer, crafting authentic characters, each layered with strong personalities of their own. His writing does not condescend to his audience as, unfortunately, some other YA novels tend to do, and I think that's what makes The Spectacular Now a bit of a timeless novel. It felt like many coming of age movies released in the 80s, or even a rated-R version of Boy Meets World (Who doesn't love this show?). But I found myself a bit disappointed with the novel. I kept waiting for a subtle moral to come blazing through by the end. Perhaps this is the beauty of Tharp's novel, that it shows Sutter's journey gone wrong and leaves it to you to make meaning for yourself. Maybe it truly is just a novel about a year in the life of Sutter Keely. If so, I give Tim Tharp loads of props, but I wished it were a bit more hopeful. The closing scene, particularly, left me unsettled.

I also held a pet peeve with the amount of times Christianity is mocked in this novel, and wished that these additions were lessened a little.

Bare in Mind: The Spectacular Now contains profanity (tons of it), cynical commentary towards religion, and copious amounts of alcohol.

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp has a lot of heart, and even loads of underline-able passages to ponder on, but I wanted a little more out of it. That being said, I don't discourage you from picking it up. I'm sure the name alone draws you...I see you trying to figure out how you'll buy it :-).

                                   

I give The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp 3 out of 5 cups of something that won't put a little hair on your chest.

Film Review

I was actually turned on to the book after having watched The Spectacular Now Trailer. Once I find out a film is a novel adaptation, I usually try, or at least endeavor, to read the novel first, and this was one of those projects. But this will be the only time I'll ever say that I found the film to be better than the novel!

Miles Teller basically became Sutter Keely. I couldn't picture a better actor for the role. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him, and what oddball line he'd come up with next. He also captured Sutter's soft center that hardly ever shows itself. Aimee, played by the lovely Shailene Woodley, was the first thing I've watched of hers since discovering that she is playing, pretty much, every influential YA character in the last few years (Tris in Divergent, and Hazel Grace in The Fault In Our Stars). Being in love with The Fault In Our Stars, my skepticism, though unwarranted rose, as Hazel is pretty close to most of our hearts. But I was, and wasn't surprised. Shailene was spot on with her portrayal of Aimee, and unlike a lot of young actors now a days, she shows a real future in witty, smart, awesome movies.

I think everyone should go see it. It's filled with all of the wonderful moments of high school, without any of them feeling cliche. It also offers tons more hope than the novel does, unfortunately.

Bare in Mind: The Spectacular Now contains profanity, drug use, alcohol use, sexual content, and slight violence.

                 

I give The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp 4 and a 1/2 out of 5 cups of something else that won't put hair on your chest.

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Book Review | Ink (The Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

Ink is in their blood. On the heels of a family tragedy, Katie Greene must move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn't know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks and she can't seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building. When Katie meets aloof but gorgeous Tomohiro, the star of the school's kendo team, she is intrigued by him…and a little scared. His tough attitude seems meant to keep her at a distance, and when they're near each other, strange things happen. Pens explode. Ink drips from nowhere. And unless Katie is seeing things, drawings come to life. Somehow Tomo is connected to the kami, powerful ancient beings who once ruled Japan—and as feelings develop between Katie and Tomo, things begin to spiral out of control. The wrong people are starting to ask questions, and if they discover the truth, no one will be safe.
-Amazon

Before I started Ink by Amanda Sun, I had hit a pretty rough book slump. Ink revitalized the beautiful feeling of what reading a great book is all about: new discoveries, and falling into a new world that made me a little sad to leave once finished. Also, look at the gorgeous cover. I had no idea I was going to purchase this book, and then I turned, and this cover drew me towards it like kids to an ice cream parlour. 

Ink is about a sixteen year old girl named Katie who, after her mother's death, is forced to move to Japan with her Aunt Diane. While in Japan, Katie finds herself faced with the challenge of assimilating into the pulsing Japanese culture, as well as in the midst of a supernatural mythology come to life. Cue the enigmatic Tomohiro who's aloof and seeming cocky attitude piques Katie's curiosity after she experiences his drawings come to life right on the page. She learns that Tomohiro is connected to the kami, the very powerful ancient rulers of Japan, and that somehow the ink that Tomohiro has a hard time controlling is further impacted by her presence.

On the surface, Ink is your classic supernatural romance. It has your outsider, your mysterious heartthrob, and the inexplicable pull that ties them both together. But what makes Ink an entirely new reading experience is Amanda Sun's resonating portrayal of Japan. Sun infuses vibrant descriptions of young life in Japan with its language, strong sense of history and folklore pervading every detail. These additions can turn a seeming cliched idea into something fresh. I loved that with no introduction, Sun throws Katie into the heart of Japan. We're immediately faced with how different life is for Katie as she encounters the language and customs that come with being a Japanese student. I also loved Katie's interactions with her new friends Tanaka and Yuki who show her the ropes and become a sort of family to her. Katie's relationship with her Aunt Diane is also touching as we observe their growing friendship in the midst of a traumatic situation.

Katie and Tomohiro's relationship is beautiful and layered. They fuse together as outsiders, and are forced to toddle through their shared connection to the Kami and the challenge this poses. Through them, we also experience quite beautiful scenes where Tomohiro's drawings come to life in front of them...glittering and sinister. I love how Sun weaves a thrilling premise in regards to the forces who would like to wield Tomo's power, some for good, others...not so much.

Ink is full of beautiful illustrations by various artists that help to pull you into the beautiful world of Japanese art/calligraphy and folklore. If you flip through the novel, eying the bottom right margins, there are also cool flip animations that I thought were clever additions to the novel. I've also heard that if you purchase the ebook, certain portions of the novel are, in fact, animated? If so, that's just awesome!

Bare in mind: Ink contains profanity, violence, and some sensuality.

Ink allowed me to experience Japan in unexpected ways. By the end, I felt I'd traversed Sunpu Park, observed Tomo's drawings outside of ancient temples, memorized Kanji, took train rides past Hiroshima, and enjoyed time spent with friends over bentous full of amazing food. I read a quote on GoodReads that a good book can make you homesick for a place that you've never been, and Ink is that book. Though I wished more questions were answered, I know that this promises a thrilling ride with the next book due out in 2014!

If you're as 'homesick' for the world of Ink as I am, or you'd like a taste of Katie and Tomohiro's life just before she arrives in Japan, read Amanda Sun's wonderful prequel, Shadow on Kindle/Wattpad for FREE for a limited time!!!

 

I give Ink by Amanda Sun five out of five cups of Milk Tea.

{P.S. This novel helped me to make the decision that's been circling around my life for a while...I'm learning Japanese!}