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Thursday, August 14, 2014

Review: Veronica Mars - The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: March 25, 2014
Pages: 336
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 4 Stars

The first book in an original mystery series featuring twenty-eight-year-old Veronica Mars, back in action after the events of Veronica Mars: The Movie. With the help of old friends—Logan Echolls, Mac Mackenzie, Wallace Fennel, and even Dick Casablancas—Veronica is ready to take on Neptune’s darkest cases with her trademark sass and smarts.

In short: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line stays true to the spirit of the original TV series and is a must read for fans of Veronica Mars.
I, along with all the other Marshmallows, was devastated when the TV show Veronica Mars was cancelled years ago. Clearly TV execs don't know a good quality show when they have it if they would prefer to run mindless teen dramas with little to no value on their station. BUT I DIGRESS. The important thing is that we live in a time in which the cancellation of a TV show does not necessarily equal the end of a beloved character and thankfully Veronica Mars was brought back to life in movie form through crowdfunding supporters. Next in line is this book series written in part by show creater Rob Thomas and soon there will be a webseries as well.

And thankfully, both the movie and this first book in a planned series, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line, have stayed remarkably true to the spirit of the original TV series. The whole gang is back, the mysteries are well plotted and surprising, and the snarky dialogue and clever one liners have returned in full force. I'm not sure the book brings quite the same level of engagement that I felt for the TV series, but it's pretty damn good and if it means we get more Veronica then I will absolutely take it.

Of course it helps that I listened to the audiobook version of The Thousand Dollar Tan Line, as narrated by Veronica herself, Kristen Bell. I certainly can't imagine anyone else doing the audio for this one and doing it justice. It just wouldn't be the same! Listening to Kristen Bell narrating the story is just like listening to her narrating an extra episode. Furthermore, I thought she did a remarkable job with the other characters' voices. Clearly, audiobook is the way to go with this one!

As much as I love me some LoVe, I was actually glad that the romance took a back seat in The Thousand Dollar Tan Line as Logan is out of the picture for most of the novel. This allowed the story to go back to its origins about a snarky girl detective who is independent and clever, but also hugely compassionate. If you are a Veronica Mars fan, then The Thousand Dollar Tan Line is not to be missed! And if you are NOT a Veronica Mars fan... then what are you doing with your life?! Jokes, jokes. But seriously, I can't recommend the original series enough (or the first two seasons anyway...) so definitely get on it!

Other Reviews:
Ex Libris
Late Nights With Good Books
The Nocturnal Library

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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday: Penguin Fall 2014 Catalog

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking The Spine in which upcoming, eagerly anticipated releases are highlighted on the blog.

This week, I've chosen to feature a few picks from the Penguin Fall 2014 Catalog:

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
Date: September 16, 2014
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Jude and her brother, Noah, are incredibly close twins. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude surfs and cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them. But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and divisive ways . . . until Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as an unpredictable new mentor. The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they’d have a chance to remake their world.

I'll Give You The Sun is not my usual kind of read at all, but people have been buzzing about this one since BEA and about author Jandy Nelson for quite a few years now so I feel like I just HAVE to see what all the fuss is about. Jandy Nelson sounds like a very talented lady!


Schizo by Nic Sheff
Date: September 30, 2014
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Miles is the ultimate unreliable narrator—a teen recovering from a schizophrenic breakdown who believes he is getting better . . . when in reality he is growing worse.

Driven to the point of obsession to find his missing younger brother, Teddy, and wrapped up in a romance that may or may not be the real thing, Miles is forever chasing shadows. As Miles feels his world closing around him, he struggles to keep it open, but what you think you know about his world is actually a blur of gray, and the sharp focus of reality proves startling.

I loved the cover for Schizo as soon as I saw it and when I read that it was the story of a teen's downward spiral into mental illness making said teen an unreliable narrator, I was definitely intrigued. My hope is that this one is enigmatic, trippy, and interesting!


The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Date: October 7, 2014
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Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.
Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.
Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

So I haven't actually read anything by Marie Lu yet (I know, I know!), but after consistently hearing great things about her Legend Trilogy, she has been on my radar for a long while now. The Young Elites sounds like a promising start to a new dystopian series from her and I'm curious to find out what all the buzz is about!


Atlantia by Ally Condie
Date: October 28, 2014
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For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

I remember I adored Matched by Ally Condie when it was first released years ago and I was completely swept up in Ally's beautiful poetic writing. Well now, I wasn't a huge fan of the Matched sequels, but that doesn't mean that I'm not still very interested in this new book from Ally, Atlantia. And this one is about Atlantis, which is cool!


How about you? Are you waiting on any of these Penguin Fall 2014 reads? Are there any upcoming books from the Penguin Fall 2014 Catalog that I didn't include here that you feel I should add to my list?

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Muggle Monday: The Complete Set of New Bloomsbury Harry Potter Cover Redesigns

It's time for Muggle Monday, in which I highlight a significant piece of news from the Harry Potter franchise. This is somewhat inspired by the Mundane Monday posts by The Mundie Moms.

But let's be real as to why I made up this feature: I just want the opportunity to post something about Harry Potter.



About a year ago we were treated to brand new redesigns of the US covers of the Harry Potter series (see them here, here, and here) from artist Kazu Kibuishi. Just recently, UK publisher Bloomsbury decided it was their turn. Bloomsbury have now released all seven new cover redesigns from artist Jonny Duddle and they are a sight to behold:








I like these new covers a lot! They are definitely very pretty and detailed illustrations that depict each key scene very well, and I like the representative scene choices that were made for each book cover. Unfortunately, I really don't think I can justify buying a whole new set of HP books for the cost. I still prefer the US cover redesigns though (and of course nothing will ever replace the fondness I have for the original covers). I think the one thing that I dislike about these covers is that Harry doesn't really seem to be aging very much from cover to cover. Harry does NOT look like a seventeen-year-old on the cover for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, for instance. He looks closer in age to the eleven-year-old Harry on the cover of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. So I wish that had been done better, but overall I do like these new covers. Thoughts?

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Published: April 26, 1993
Pages: 180
Source: Bought
Rating: 5 Stars


Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

In short: The Giver by Lois Lowry is clearly a very special book with a profound thoughtfulness to it that I don't usually see in the dystopians of today.
I have certainly read my fair share of dystopians and at this point they have all started to blend together as I inevitably end up seeing the same trends and tropes over and over again. So to read The Giver, a classic in the dystopian genre, after all this time and after reading tons of newer dystopians that follow the same basic outline, is a strange experience. Here, in The Giver is the origination of many of the themes and motifs that populate the dystopians of today and yet I didn't first come by these common dystopian trends with the originator, but with the followers.

But thankfully, The Giver didn't read to me as "been there, done that" as many dystopians do these days. Even with the same basic format that I've seen again and again in this genre, The Giver brought to the table a profound thoughtfulness that I don't usually see in the dystopians of today. The Giver keeps things simple when it comes to world building, which would normally be a problem for me in any other book in the same genre, but here it works because it puts the focus on the important messages of the novel, rather than in the details of the world.

I am SO late to this party, but I'm glad I have finally read this classic novel! The Giver is clearly a special book and it doesn't surprise me that it is often a staple in classrooms for study. I do regret that I never read it in school growing up because it would have been a great and powerful introduction not only to the dystopian genre, but to many profound life lessons. I am pretty doubtful that the movie adaptation will do this book justice. Thoughts?

Question to those who have read the entire series: is it a must for me to read the final three books? I am a bit conflicted about the end of The Giver because part of me feels it is incomplete, but another part of me thought the book on the whole to be a solid read and I don't want my experience of it to be ruined.

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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday: Hachette Fall 2014 Catalog

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking The Spine in which upcoming, eagerly anticipated releases are highlighted on the blog.

This week, I've chosen to feature a few picks from the Hachette Fall 2014 Catalog:

Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper
Date: September 23, 2014
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Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to take her rightful place as the witch of Prince Island, making the charms that keep the island's whalers safe at sea, but her mother has forced her into a magic-free world of proper manners and respectability. When Avery dreams she's to be murdered, she knows time is running out to unlock her magic and save herself.

Avery finds an unexpected ally in a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane--a sailor with magic of his own, who moves Avery in ways she never expected. Becoming a witch might stop her murder and save her island from ruin, but Avery discovers her magic requires a sacrifice she never prepared for.

There ain't no way I could ever resist a historical fantasy! Salt & Storm is exactly my kind of read. I will say I have read a few early reviews for this one that are less than positive, but I'm going to keep my mind open going into this one and I hope I enjoy it!


Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by A.S. King
Date: October 14, 2014
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Graduating from high school is a time of limitless possibilities—but not for Glory, who has no plan for what's next. Her mother committed suicide when Glory was only four years old, and she’s never stopped wondering if she will eventually go the same way...until a transformative night when she begins to experience an astonishing new power to see a person’s infinite past and future. From ancient ancestors to many generations forward, Glory is bombarded with visions—and what she sees ahead of her is terrifying.
A tyrannical new leader raises an army. Women’s rights disappear. A violent second civil war breaks out. And young girls vanish daily, sold off or interned in camps. Glory makes it her mission to record everything she sees, hoping her notes will somehow make a difference. She may not see a future for herself, but she’ll do everything in her power to make sure this one doesn’t come to pass.

Glory O'Brien's History of the Future has one original premise! I like the idea of a girl setting out to change the future after she has a terrifying vision, even if she's not part of it. And I always hear amazing things about A.S. King so I'd really love to try out one of her novels at some point!


Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger
Date: November 4, 2014
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Class is back in session...

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all. 

Rejoice, Sophronia and her band of lady-spies-in-training are back! This series is all kinds of fun and I am in love with Gail Carriger's whimsical style. Can't wait to return to The Finishing School Series with book #3, Waistcoats & Weaponry!


The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
Date: November 4, 2014
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There are three rules in the Walled City: Run fast. Trust no one. Always carry your knife. Right now, my life depends completely on the first. Run, run, run.

Jin, Mei Yee, and Dai all live in the Walled City, a lawless labyrinth run by crime lords and overrun by street gangs. Teens there run drugs or work in brothels—or, like Jin, hide under the radar. But when Dai offers Jin a chance to find her lost sister, Mei Yee, she begins a breathtaking race against the clock to escape the Walled City itself.

First, it has to be said that I am in love with the typography and the subtle graphic background of this cover. Second, I'm always keen on seeing diverse characters in YA! And third, The Walled City just sounds damn good and I really cannot wait to get my hands on it!


How about you? Are you waiting on any of these Hachette Fall 2014 reads? Are there any upcoming books from the Hachette Fall 2014 Catalog that I didn't include here that you feel I should add to my list?