great things are coming from Maria Snyder

Wow oh wow oh wow!!!!  We found NetGalley and based on our blog and our profile, we have been lucky enough to get to read some amazing gallies instead of waiting and hoping for arcs.  First one finished: Outside In by Maria Snyder.

We've been fans of Maria's for awhile now and have been lucky to have her come to the stores we work at to sign, do meet-and-greets, and have book release parties.  We know we're not the normal fans and maybe the gushing praise will turn some off. Well, I don't care.

Trella's back and not sure where she fits in her newly free world.  The pressure makes her start to crack.  While the Committee seems to work slower than our current Congress, Trella is craving to get back to exploring the Inside. The empty space discovered at the end of Inside Out is far more expansive than they could have imagined.  She also finds yet another secret area; this one contains what appears to be vehicles of some sort and weird symbols that may be the answers they've been arguing about in Committee meetings.

While the entirety of Inside waits for those they put in charge to actually do something, Trella's trying to come to terms with the fact that Dr. Lamont, the traitor in Trella's mind, just might be her mother.Saboteurs, Outsiders, and heartache seem to follow Trella and her band of merry men wherever they go. In the end, it's really about finding her place in her society and doing what's best for all......once she figures out what that might be. There's plenty of action, conspiracy, and yes a bit of love to make this a great read for teens & adults alike as well as keep either boys or girls glued to the pages. Ms Snyder once again manages to find a new spin on teen angst, the journey of self-discovery, and her magical ability to fully engross a reader in the world she's created.

While reading the advanced galley has been exciting, it has shown me that I will not be an e-book convert. Sure, a handheld device might be better than reading on my computer I have reaffirmed that I would rather have a paper copy of a book any day. I'll keep reading however I can so we can share new titles and authors with all of you.

Outside In comes out March 1, 2011. You can check out an excerpt and see where Maria Snyder is appearing on her website: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/. ARC provided by NetGalley

Crazy Hahvahd Antics

School's out for summer, but college freshmen will be heading to campuses around the country soon.  Didn't get into Harvard, Yale, Brown or any of the other ivies your parents were hoping you would? That's ok.  Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur take us on quite a ride (and give quite an education) in The Ivy.

From moving in day, when we meet the four most different girls possible and their equally impossible male counterparts from across the hall, these 2 Harvard alums allow the rest of us to experience what life on the yard might actually be like.  Our heroines: 

     Dana, the Bible-thumper and most sheltered

     Marine Aurelie Clement (aka Mimi), Europe's Paris Hilton, is French, fashionable, and open to any (and maybe all) "relationship" options

     Vanessa VonVorhees, prep-school grad with the same mentality even away from the Manhattan social      scene, is the social-climber who would rather cyber-stalk her classmates than take any actual notes

      Callie, our protagonist, the blonde California transplant who has heard all of the "Legally Blonde" jokes.....thank you very much.

Life seems idyllic in each of their lives.  Sure, one's boyfriend breaks up with her via text message, one's drunk more than sober, one's a bit off, and the last is just trying to do what she was raised to do.  But aren't we all in some way or another?  This is a fun read interspersing the thoughts of Callie with notices from Fifteen Minutes, Harvard newspaper The Crimson's weekly mag that helps "to answer the ever present question of how Harvard students can fill their spare time" (Crimson, Februaury 14, 1992). 

Come September, follow the antics of these four girls, the boys from across the hall, and Harvard at large from Orientation to Thanksgiving break.  Hopefully, there will be follow-ups to finish the ever crazed freshman year.  After all, how does rushing end? Can Callie choose between the multitude of boys now available to her?  Will she survive her first deep freeze of a New England winter?  I NEED to know!!!!!

The Ivy, by Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur, Greenwillow Books, Sept. 2010.  Read, live vicariously, learn what to (possibly) NOT do your first time away from home.

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

Let me start by saying I waited, and waited, and waited for this book.  I didn't even pick it up when it first came out b/c she was going to be at BEA.  So I waited, got my signed copy, and dug in.  I think I overhyped it to myself.  How sad for me.

Most of our regular Wicked Lovely characters make a cameo, but this book is all about a halfling named Ani. and her troubles fitting in.  She's more faerie than mortal, more leader than follower, more trouble than the High Court is looking for.  She's sentenced to death by the High Queen, but a bodiless spectre convinces Devlin to let her live. Rae, our spectre, turns out to be a dreamwalker.  I won't tell you what Ani becomes, but will tease you that she gets a steed that turns itself into various cars and a new court is introduced.

I had a lot of trouble getting into this one and I'm pretty sure I did it to myself.  The writing's just as good, the characters and plot twists just as fun. So it's me.  If you've been waiting to read it, why?  Pick it up, go in with no expectations and enjoy the ride.

The next one's gone to the editors and there are some Wicked Loveley stories too.  Check out http://www.melissa-marr.com/ for all the updates.

"Beautiful Creatures" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Suppose you live in a small southern town that takes a crazy amount of pride for their small contribution to the Civil War.  Suppose you've been having strange dreams about a pretty girl that leaves you sweaty and dirty in the morning. (No, not those kind of dreams. I mean literally dirty.  Muddy even)  Suppose that girl suddenly shows up at your school and her voice is in your head.

Now you know what Ethan Wate's life has been like the last few months.  The dreams start shortly after his mom dies, but the adventure is just getting started.  Lena Duchannes is the niece of the town's shut-in.  She's just arrived, but her connection to Ethan seems to be generations in the making.  

Shuffling between shared visions of the past and present day occurrences, Beautiful Creatures in a fantastic, fantastical story.  History of the town and these families unravels before you.  Slowly.  A great read for anyone looking to escape into what is ultimately a love story, this book will also resonate with the Sci-Fi reader in us all.

Pick it up and fall in love (or like) with these characters before the sequel, Beautiful Darkness, comes out in October.  Go, read, and meet the wacky, whimsical townsfolk.  Besides our heroes, there's Ethan's housekeeper/spiritualist, uncle Macon, a special librarian, and of course the kind of people that populate every town everywhere.  There are the cheerleaders who think anyone different is bad, their mothers who coddle them, the jocks, the old folks are there too.  

It's a hard to put down page turner and you would be silly to miss out on it.

"Inside Out" by Maria Snyder

Our first book back is the newest by one of our faves, Maria Snyder. A "local" author for us, Maria writes for the booklover in all of us. Her newest is no different.

Full of twists, turns, and the ocasional caste system, "Inside Out" is a welcome departure from Ms. Snyder's other series. While a gigantic fan of both the "Poison/Magic/Fire Study" novels as well as the newer glass series (Spy Glass out this fall), this new venture is a fantastic break. Trella is a scrub. She makes sure the pipes stay clean and do what they should. Trella is one of thousands who work the lower levels. As the back of the book says: "I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I ocasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels?"

Following Trella and her friends as they inadvertently start a revolution, the reader gets a glimpse of what the age old haves/havenots struggle has always been about. add to it a sci-fi twist and the adventure takes on an interesting new direction. (it's so hard to tell you to go read this book without giving it all away- aaaaahhhhhh!!!!!) Some questions to think about when reading:

Does Trella have what it takes to take down the system?
If she takes it down, what will happen to the world she knows?
Does she have parents? And if so, do they know where she is?
What is Gateway and does it really exist?

Have I peaked your interest? I hope so. Run, don't walk to your closest bookstore and pick up "Inside Out" by Maria Snyder as soon as possible.

Too bad I have to wait until next year for "Outside In". It will feel like forever.

Remember kids, reading is good for you and makes your parents wonder what you've done!!

kat & ash

Initiation by Susan Fine

Starting on graduation day for Mauricio Londono (how do I put in a tilde?) from St. Stephen's Initiation tells the tale of his first year at New York's most prestigious private school. Freshman year can be tough for most, but transferring from PS 245 to the halls of grandeur with the young men of NYC's elite family is definitely a challenge. His biggest goal is just to blend in. Instead, he joins the wrestling team, develops a crush on a classmates hot sister, and seems to be the cross hairs of the class's biggest trouble maker.

I will admit I found it a little dry. If I were a guy or a private school kid, it might do more for me. All in all, a good story, well written, fun cast of characters. Even though I didn't go anywhere elite, I could put names and faces of my graduating class to each of these boys.

Flux released this fascinating novel May 1, 2009. A definite read for anyone who just wanted to blend.

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson

I know!!! Another awesome y-a series by James Patterson! With the Maximum Ride series and now the 2nd Daniel X book out, this time Patterson with Gabrielle Charbonnet head way out into the science fiction arena.

The Allgood's are in trouble. The whole world has gone off the deep end after the latest elections. The New Order has taken charge and has taken away everything fun. Not to mention anyone or anything fantastical. Whisty and her older brother Whit have been accused of being a witch and a wizard respectively.

Could it all be true?
Why didn't their parents ever say anything?
Who is The One Who Is The One?

Come December 2009, you can these and many other questions.

What to read until Christmas? Try some other Patterson novels like: MAX, Final Warning, Daniel X:Watch the Skies.

EVIL? by Timothy Carter

A teenage boy's body is his own and he can do with it what he wants, right? Well, not so much in the Northern Ontario town of Ice Lake. Stuart finds that outside influences are creating havoc in his little town. So much so that the openly gay Stuart and his many friends can't even be alone with their thoughts. Fallen angels, demons, priests, a slightly warped sense of public right all come together to make quite a funny read.

Here's what my 13-yr old nephew had to say after reading it:
This book is called EVIL. It is about a boy named Stuart and he is openly gay. His brother James caught him doing the Sin of Onan. Now a fallen angel has come to rid the town from anyone whoever had an "impure" thought. With the help of his demon friend Fon Pyre he will attempt to destroy the fallen angel. I would recommend this book to anybody that likes fiction and is 13 or above.

My take? It's a pretty funny read that anyone would love. Definitely meant for the teen scene, but most adults who suffered through health class and Sunday school will find it a great read too.

Coming August 2009 from Flux

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

A surprising ending to an entertaining book. While reading this book, the ending that was in-store was not what had been expected.

For Morgan and Cam life has been great. Born on the same day and living next door these two had become close over the years. The perfect high school couple, until about one week before their 16th birthday. Cam's cousin, Pip, comes to stay and changes their world up-side down. Morgan begins to watch her boyfriend slip away from her and tries to figure out a way to keep the love of her life.

This engaging story was released on June 23, 2009 by Delacorte.

"Swim the Fly" by Don Calame

So here it is, the first of many "go, run, find this book" reviews. We like many genres of books and will try to remember to tell you where they should be classified in your local bookstore or library. Without any further ado, let me introduce you to:

Swim the Fly

by Don Calame

Put out by Candlewick Press on April 19, 2009, this young adult novel is sure to be a hit with any young, or not so young, men in your life. Screenwriter Don Calame ("Employee of the Month", "Hounded") takes us back to an event very loosely based on an event in his own life:

Matt, Coop, and Sean have been friends forever. Every summer, they join the swim team and create a challenge to compete by summer's end; sometimes unrealistic and sometimes down right disgusting. This summer is no different. At 15, Coop decides their challenge is to see a real-live naked girl!

As they take on their challenge (and the crazy antics that go with it), Matt decides to impress the new girl on the team, Kelly, by agreeing to swim the 100-yard butterfly. What was this "broomstick in a speedo" thinking? (I myself couldn't help but think that nobody is worth swimming 100-yd fly. Having done it without any motivation from the other sex, I can assure you that it hurts, but it's doable) He finds himself challenged in more than one way during his discovery that one should in fact be careful what they wish for.

Do the boys get to see a naked girl? Does Matt get the girl of his dreams? Does he drown during the epic race? Well, you will have to get to your local bookstore or library and find this fantastic read. The 352 pages fly by making this reader more than a little sad that the "quasi sequel" won't be out until fall of 2010.

Want more about this book? Check out Calame's website : www.doncalame.com.

If you like this book, you might want to check out:

• Holes by Louis Sachar
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

And remember: Reading is FUNdamental!

(Is that copyrighted somewhere?)