Month: December 2016

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Book Recommendation: Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry

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Hardcover, 336 pages Expected publication: March 14th 2017 by Feiwel & Friends

Summary:

A girl with Tourette syndrome starts a new school and tries to hide her quirks in this debut middle-grade novel in verse.

Calliope June has Tourette syndrome. Sometimes she can’t control the noises that come out of her mouth, or even her body language. When she and her mother move yet again, she tries to hide her TS. But soon the kids in her class realize she’s different. Only her neighbor, who is also the class president, sees her as she truly is—a quirky kid, and a good friend. But is he brave enough to take their friendship public?

As Callie navigates school, she must also face her mother’s new relationship and the fact that she might be moving again—just as she’s starting to make friends and finally accept her differences. This story of being true to yourself will speak to a wide audience.

My Thoughts:

I’ve never read a novel in verse before and now I want to read more! This was beautiful, witty, emotional and with a voice that sucks you in from page one! LOVED this book!

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RIP

Alan Rickman in January and now Carrie Fisher in December.

One proved that even the greatest heroes have flaws, and the other showed that princesses can grow up to be generals.

I’m sad today, but grateful to the arts that make characters come alive and teach us lessons we’ll never forget.

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To the Dreamers…

Here’s to the ones who dream.

Foolish, as they may seem.

Here’s to the hearts that ache.

Here’s to the mess we make.

dreamI just saw the movie La La Land and am completely inspired. Such a raw story of pursuing your dreams.

It’s got me thinking about my own journey this year and now I’m completely introspective and need to get alone to listen to moody cello music and journal these thoughts into words.

But I do know this… pursuing your dreams is always worth it. Believe in yourself and hold tight to the core of who you are. Be flexible so the currents of life don’t break you, but know where you’re going and don’t give up.

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Book Recommendation: Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves

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Hardcover, 416 pages Expected publication: March 28th 2017 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Anna Arden is barred from society by a defect of blood. Though her family is part of the Luminate, powerful users of magic, she is Barren, unable to perform the simplest spells. Anna would do anything to belong. But her fate takes another course when, after inadvertently breaking her sister’s debutante spell—an important chance for a highborn young woman to show her prowess with magic—Anna finds herself exiled to her family’s once powerful but now crumbling native Hungary.

Her life might well be over.

In Hungary, Anna discovers that nothing is quite as it seems. Not the people around her, from her aloof cousin Noémi to the fierce and handsome Romani Gábor. Not the society she’s known all her life, for discontent with the Luminate is sweeping the land. And not her lack of magic. Isolated from the only world she cares about, Anna still can’t seem to stop herself from breaking spells.

As rebellion spreads across the region, Anna’s unique ability becomes the catalyst everyone is seeking. In the company of nobles, revolutionaries, and Romanies, Anna must choose: deny her unique power and cling to the life she’s always wanted, or embrace her ability and change that world forever.

My Thoughts:

I got this book on an ARC tour and let me tell you, it is AMAZING!

It has all you can want from a YA fantasy. A rich and detailed setting, a slow burning yet sizzling romance, a magical system that is intricate yet understandable, a fast-paced plot that will keep you up into the wee hours of the night (trust me, it happened), and characters you just completely fall in love with. More than that, it tackles issues of prejudice and bias in such a thoughtful and powerful way. It did not feel like a debut book on any level. This series is going to be a classic in the years to come! I can’t wait to read and I 10000000% will recommend this book to anyone! Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!