Book Blather

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.

From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will she be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.

The Short of It: While the start was a bit slow, once it got started it sucked me in. I finished it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. My only recommendation would be not to start it before bed, else you’ll be up until 5:30am like I did.

Plot:  The plot reminded me a lot of a Jane Austen novel, but without the classic dryness. I’ve been saying it’s a bit of a Pride and Prejudice meets Downton Abbey and while this isn’t fully accurate, it’s the best comparison I can come up with. Honestly, it’s a classic romance full of silliness, aggravation, and wistful sighs. While some things felt a bit convenient, especially at the end, I wasn’t too bothered by it. (Of course, I used to be an avid romance reading and this was a very common trait among the genre.) Edenbrooke reminded me how a good, classic romance read should go, especially after spending so long being immersed in YA lit. I finished with a big smile and a deep want to return to this world over and over again.

Characters: Never before have I wanted to both strangle and cheer for a character more than I have Marianne. Well, at least not since I’ve met Elizabeth Bennett or Mary (sorry, the similarities really are uncanny.) I loved that she was more of a country girl than one London scene one. I also loved that she stayed true to herself, unwilling to fully change who she was just to please other people. She was a bit, shall we say, naive, but it was also something that gave her a lot of charm, even if it was infuriating at times. All in all, she was a very lovable character.

Romance: This is the type of romance that is one step forward and two steps back almost the entire time. The type that when they finally make it you can’t help but cheer very loudly. I love how they both bring out the best in each other. Marianne is able to bring the old Philip back out while he allows her to be who she is. Neither one of them expect the other to change, but simply love them for who they are. That is what makes a true romance. Edenbrooke nails it on the head without the need for any unnecessary bodice ripping action. Seriously, while Marianne and Philip may not be a Lizzie/Mr. Darcy or Mary/Matthew they come pretty darn close and are certain to remain one of my favorite couples for some time.

Writing: Donaldson’s style is spot on. She creates her world beautiful and makes it easy to envision. I will admit that the first twenty pages were a little rough for me, but they were necessary to set up the plot. Once I was past that first little spot, the pages simply flew by. The pacing, descriptions, and tone were perfect for this novel. I can’t wait to see what else Donaldson has in store with her future models.

Librarian-Mode: If you couldn’t guess I would put this one in the hands of those who like Pride and Prejudice  and Downton Abbey. While this is an adult book, teens who love this era will find Edenbrooke has high appeal. Other pairings to consider would be I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend and The Luxe series.

So, now that you know what I think, you have an opportunity to find out how good it is for yourself. I have one extra copy to give away to a lucky reader. All you need to do is leave a comment tell me why you want to read Edenbrooke. Be sure to leave your email address so I know how to contact you!

Other stops on the blog tour:
March 19th: http://ya-sisterhood.blogspot.com/
March 20th www.theallureofbooks.com
March 21st http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com
March 22nd http://chicklitreviewsandnews.com/
March 23rd http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/
March 24th http://bookblather.net
March 25th http://hauntedorchid.blogspot.com
March 26th http://bookchelle.com
March 27th http://www.brazenbookworm.com
March 28th oliviahennis.wordpress.com
March 29th http://aliseonlife.blogspot.com
March 30th http://trippingbooks.wordpress.com
March 31st http://harmonyradiantreads.blogspot.com
April 1st http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/
April 2nd http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/
April 3rd http://ireadtorelax.blogspot.com
April 4th http://awordsworth.blogspot.com
April 5th www.novelthoughtsblog.com
April 6th http://www.readitseeit.net/
April 7th http://dreaminginbooks.blogspot.com/

Sweet, tender, and true! – Laurie Halse Anderson Jesse cuts her own hair with a Swiss Army knife. She wears big green fisherman’s boots. She’s the founding (and only) member of NOLAW, the National Organization to Liberate All Weirdos. Emily wears sweaters with faux pearl buttons. She’s vice president of the student council. She has a boyfriend. These two girls have nothing in common, except the passionate

The Short of It: I’m still not sure how I feel about this one. I was hoping for a good love story, but the book is more about big corporation take-overs than romance. It’s a bit preachy, but overall a decent read.

Plot:  Teen activists? Check. Secret Romance? Check. Potential big corporation take over? Check. I had hoped, okay maybe longed for, this one to be all about romance. Instead, I got a political fight of a smaller-ish town against StarMart (a big chain store). Jesse has been doing her own manifestos for about a year encouraging her fellow classmates to embrace their weirdness and let it shine for all the world to see. It’s when she gets in trouble and ends up in Saturday school that Ester pulls her into bigger things…including taking down StarMart. While there is some romance sprinkled in, it’s more about standing up for what you believe in, even if its an unpopular opinion. While a little preachy I enjoyed the overall message.

I did feel like some of the side stories got lost in the bigger whole of the story like the romance, the family, and even her best friend. I would have loved to see those issues get a bit more page time, but I do understand that they weren’t the main story. However, some of it felt like an after thought or an easy way to move the story along, especially the stuff with Esther and her family. I may be nitpicking a little, but it was still something I thought should be mentioned.

Characters: While the book alternates between Jesse, Emily, and occasionally Esther, the book is really about Jesse. The other POVs offered insight to what the other girls were thinking, but it was Jesse who truly stood out. From her fisherman boots to her manifestos, Jesse was someone you couldn’t forget.

On the outside, Jesse looked like someone who had it all together, but she really didn’t. She was a normal girl trying to figure out who she really was. While she had some bold moves, especially with Emily and her manifesto, Jesse is huge people-pleaser. She was very cautious about upsetting/crossing lines with Emily and apologizes if she goes “too far”. Even with the activist stuff, I don’t think she was truly into it at first, but let herself be dragged into it because it would make Esther (and her mom a little) happy. By the end, though, Jesse is more comfortable with her she is and standing up for what she thinks is right. While I had hoped for a slightly different ending, I was happy with how Jesse handled things, especially with Emily.

Romance: Emily and Jesse? I get it. I honestly do. I get the falling for a girl who is absolutely 100% wrong for you, yet someone you have great chemistry with. You think about if only this or that would change it would be perfect and you hold onto the hope that it’ll happen. It’s a trap that is easy to fall into and I can’t blame Jesse at all. That being said, I disliked Emily so much. She treated Jesse like crap from beginning to end. I hated how she whined that Jesse didn’t listen to her when she didn’t listen to Jesse either. She thought that everyone should agree with her end of story.

The thing I hated the most though, was the secret part of it. Emily would talk about how Jesse made her feel alive, how she missed her, and dreamed of Jesse saying I love you, yet she wasn’t willing to take the risk with her. I understand it’s hard to shatter people’s image of you, but I felt like she was essentially just using Jesse. She had no plans to break up with her boyfriend, not really, and just wanted the 15 minute-a-week thrill Jesse gave her. Part of me wished that Emily would have a change of heart, but I suppose that just the romantic side of me talking.

On the other hand, I’m not sure Esther and Jesse quite worked either. Yes, they shared a lot of the same ideas and views, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between them as much. Could I see them ending up together? Yes, but I think it’ll be awhile before they reach that point. Of course, I’m still not sure if Esther is into girls or not. I felt like the attention that she gave Jesse had more to do with pulling someone her age into her causes than true attraction.

Writing: I don’t know why, but having Emily and Ester in first person and Jesse in third person bothered me. I would have preferred it to be the other way around, since this book was more Jesse’s story than the other two girls. However, the third person POV is still quite intimate and I didn’t notice the switch until I was about a third of the way in. Having it set up as George does, doesn’t take away from the book. While it did bug me, I doubt most people will have the same reaction.

Librarian-Mode: This one depends on what you’re looking for. Want a secret romance, try The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard or Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. If you want more LGBTQ, I would suggest Pink by Lili Wilkinson, Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters, or Empress of the World by Sara Ryan.

So, now it’s your turn…have you read The Difference Between You and Me? If so, be sure to let me know what you thought.

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

I have literally written and erased this review more times than I care to count. Never before have I struggled so much with putting my thoughts into words. Several times I’ve almost given up, but Chopsticks is a book that deserves to be talked about it. The unique format and ambiguous story had me hook, line, and sinker.

In one word, Chopsticks is haunting. While it has been weeks since I’ve read it, it is one I still think about. I find myself wandering back to the book (or app in my case) to reread it in search of new clues. On the surface, there is a sweet love story between Glory and Frank.  It’s a fast paced, sweep you off your feet romance full of CD mixes, late night IM chats, and cute photographs. Of course, with Glory being a famous pianist, her European tour and slow mental breakdown make the relationship complicated and near impossible. But surely love can conquer all, right?

The answer to that question is one that readers must decide for themselves. The unclear ending is both the best part of Chopsticks and what makes it so hard to review. There are so many things I want to ramble about, but instead I will simply say pay attention to everything. There are so many clues sprinkled within the 300 pages that even after rereading it five times I’m not sure I’ve caught them all. It kills me that I cannot say more than that. Seriously, I could write pages about my different theories and parallels to another great piece of literature (one I did my senior capstone paper on), but I refuse to spoil the experience. Honestly, even though I’m being vague, I feel as if I may have said too much.

Before I end this review, I do want to talk about the iPad app experience. I have yet to see the print version (hopefully soon!), so I am unable to compare the two. However, I really enjoyed reading it via the app. Interactive content was noted by floating music notes that when tapped revealed information. Some interactions felt pointless, like making simple text appear, but some of it was pitch perfect. I loved being able to play the YouTube videos and music songs instantly. In fact, being able to hear the songs that were chosen for the mix CDs brought the mood and meaning to a whole new light and made me feel as if I was a part of the story. The only thing that really annoyed me was how slow the IM chats moved/I couldn’t skip ahead. There were a few times I accidentally turned the paged before the chats were finished and had to re-watch the entire thing all over again. However, this is a very minor annoyance and would still highly recommend anyone experience Chopsticks via the app. I love where publishers are taking these interactive experiences and can only hope they will open it up to more platforms/readers.

If you are still on the fence about Chopsticks, I recommend taking the leap. It will be unlike any book you’ve ever “read”. I can easily say this will be one of my favorites to book talk to my teens this spring and summer.

So far this year isn’t going the way she planned but it is undeniably memorable. Kelsey Finkelstein is starting her freshman year of high school and she’s determined to begin with a clean slate. Her arch-nemesis moved away this summer, finally giving her the chance to stand out on the soccer team and possibly catch the eye of her long-time crush. But things don’t go as smoothly as Kelsey hopes and she finds herself navigating a series of increasingly hilarious situations. From mortifying pictures in the school paper to an unconventional lead role in the musical, all while avoiding her soccer captain’s bad temper, Kelsey has her work cut out for her if she’s going to survive freshman year.

Short of it: A cute read that would be perfect for anyone looking for a fast-paced, funny read.

Plot: Seriously, can I just say poor Kelsey? It seems a cruel fate for such a string of unfortunate events happen to one person in one school year. Of course, some are merely coincidental, like the newspaper pictures, while others are more deliberate. I wish I knew more about soccer to know if the switch of positions was a reasonable one. The change felt odd to me since her skills would essentially go to waste, but I’ve been to exactly one soccer game in my life and have nothing to base this feeling on. However, being a theatre geek I did laugh pretty hard at the closing night scenes. While nothing that big ever happened to us, we did have a few good blunders over the years. Of course, they were limited to a scene or two meaning the whole play was not lost. I’m pretty sure I would have been sobbing had I been the director (or an actor) and my production of Fiddler on the Roof turned into a comedy. And they very well may have been, but the play wasn’t all that important to Kelsey and the way she shrugged it off was pretty spot on.

I do want to mention a couple of things that kind of bothered me. I’m not stupid and I know a lot of High Schoolers (or younger) drink or smoke, but it felt as it was a “no big deal” thing here. Beyond the one incident there are no consequences and even the parents shrug it off to “Typical Teenage Behavior”. I know this is my age, or maybe my own personal background, showing, but I hate when illegal behavior is treated so nonchalantly. I know it makes the book more true to life, but it still gets under my skin when I think about it. It’s hard to teach teens not to do it when it’s constantly in their faces as something teens are just going to do.

The other part that has been nagging at me is the whole LGBTQ plot line.  Had Kelsey not repeatedly told me this character might be gay, I would have never realized it. There was one comment that made me go huh-maybe, but nothing that would have clenched it for me. I do like how Zeitlin doesn’t have them force the person out, but allows them do it on their own terms. That earns a big gold star from me. Perhaps this is simply one of those “stepping into a long time friendship” situation, but considering how it plays out it’s all just a little too convenient.

That being said, I did enjoy the plot line. It’s one full of teen angst and missteps that most teens will be able to relate to.

Character: I liked Kelsey. Yes, she’s a bit self-centered, but what teenager (or adult) isn’t? She does seem to really care for her friends and gives them the support when they need it. What really makes her relatable is how normal she is. She gets mad at her little sister, falls in loves with boys from a distance, feels betrayed a best friend, hold grudges way longer than needed, and dreams of making a splash at her new high school. Sounds like the typical, average high schooler doesn’t it? I know I felt almost all of those and more when I was Kelsey’s age.

The other nice thing is that she learns to roll with the embarrassing and less than stellar situations she ends up in. She has her freak-outs and OMG moments, but the more things happen the more she’s able to shrug it off. It’s a nice look at how horrible luck isn’t the end of the world…and in Kelsey’s case leads to a bit of good luck in the end.

Romance: Most of the romance is happening around Kelsey and not to Kelsey. There are a couple kissing scenes and several flirting scenes, but nothing that goes to relationship status. There is a potential that looks like it’ll lead to more, but the future on that one is up to the reader.

Writing: I have no issues with Zeitlin’s style. While there are moment of predictability, that could be said about any book falling in this genre. It’s more about the life experiences than the surprises. It’s great debut novel that is funny, fast paced, and full of heart.

Librarian-Mode: There are so many great pairings to put with this book. It can easily be given to anyone who likes chick-lit, especially Dessen fans. I would also give it to anyone who liked Little Black Lies by Trish Cohen, Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman, and A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker.