One by Sarah Crossan

Very rarely do I cry over books or movies, but I was grabbing at the tissues when it came to Sarah Crossan's latest book set to release Sept. 15, 2015, One.  I'll be honest, I picked this book up because I thought the cover was beautiful (even though I have always been told to never judge a book by its cover).

Meet Grace and Tippi.  They are sisters who share everything:  their room, their clothes,... and their bodies.  These sixteen-year-old conjoined twins have never wanted to undergo the risky surgery that would separate them until they are forced to consider it after Grace suffers from a fluke virus.  Readers will ache to reach through the pages and hug Tippi and Grace as they confront the most important and impossible decision of their lives.

I had never read Sarah Crossan before, but now that I have, I want more!  She writes with an exquisite grace and sensitivity that makes the reader question everything they thought they knew about identity, sibling relationships, and true love and understanding.  I love that this book is written in free verse poetry (think Love that Dog by Sharon Creech or Brown Girl Dreaming  by Jacqueline Woodson) because there is a certain power behind each and every word, phrase, and image Crossan conjures.  This was a quick, but compelling read for me.  While I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read, girls 14 years and up will most definitely enjoy this glimpse into a world so alike and yet drastically different from their own.

Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to pre-order your copy of One! (Release date:  Sept. 15, 2015)

Grace's July Indie Next List Picks

The July Indie Next List just came out and two of the featured reads are my current favorites to recommend!

Grace's 1st Pick: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell has quickly become one of my favorite authors.  I would buy anything she wrote, even if it was a technical manual on how to operate a vacuum cleaner.  That's why I'm so excited to tell you all about her latest novel, Landline, because not only is it about a topic way more exciting than vacuum cleaners, it's an exceptional piece of writing! 

Georgie McCool (seriously, what an awesome name!) is about to make a big move in her career as a television writer and she couldn't be happier, except that it means the slow implosion of her marriage is about to speed up.  Georgie's husband, Neal, and their kids leave for Christmas while Georgie stays behind to work on her new TV show, and she begins to wonder if she's finally ruined everything.   That's when she discovers that her old landline offers a way to communicate with Neal in the past, exactly one week before he proposed.  Now she has the opportunity to fix her marriage before it even starts...unless she's not meant to?  Faced with a choice of moving forward or living in the past, Georgie must decide which path is the best for herself, her marriage, and her family.

Readers will be enthralled with Rowell's true-to-life characters and her ability to make a magical connection to the past seem completely feasible.  I mean seriously?  A magical landline?  And yet, I completely bought into it because Rowell's writing totally captivates and engrosses the reader from the very first chapter.  It's the perfect beach read, rainy day read, stay up until all hours of the night read, forgot to make dinner because this book is so good read...you get the idea!

Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of Landline from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop & Guest House.

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Grace's 2nd Pick: The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

My second pick is featured as the cover page title of the July Indie Next List and it has a take-charge, intelligent heroine at the helm.  Kelsea Raleigh Glynn has been raised in exile, but now that she has come of age, she must reclaim her mother's throne and learn to be a ruler despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.  There's the Red Queen, a powerful monarch in a neighboring kingdown; the Caden, a group of assassins tasked with eliminating Kelsea; and the Regent of Tearling, her uncle Thomas, who will do anything necessary to stay in power. Facing these three foes, Kelsea must gain the trust and loyalty of her protectors and subjects, as well as learn to use the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense power passed on to her by her late mother.

What doesn't this novel have?  Readers can find magic, adventure, mystery, and romance as they follow Kelsea's journey to reclaiming her throne.  Johansen has laid a fantastic foundation for what promises to be thrilling trilogy in this first book.  While the story seemed to drag in a few places, it had more than enough twists and turns in the plot to keep me reading late into the night.  Johansen's characters and world-building really blew me away and must have impressed some other readers as well because Harry Potter producer David Heyman has taken on the project of creating a film version of the book with Emma Watson starring as Kelsea!  While book to movie adaptations always make me nervous, it sounds like the novel will be in good hands.  Just be sure to read the book before the story hits the big screen!

Grace gives this book 4.5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of The Queen of the Tearling from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop & Guest House.

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"Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell

I might be a little late to the Rainbow Rowell fan club, but I've got to say that I'm absolutely hooked after reading Fangirl.  I gave serious consideration to immediately re-reading the book once I finished it, but my pile of "books to be read" is just so huge at this point that I was forced to move on.

Meet Cath, an 18 year old starting her freshman year of college.  Her twin sister has abandoned her to meet new people, her roommate is less than polite and has an overly friendly boyfriend, her dad isn't coping well with the whole "empty nest" thing, and her fiction writing professor constantly expects more from her.  All Cath really wants to do is disappear into the world of fanfiction where she's most comfortable.  She's already gained a little bit of fame on the Simon Snow (world-wide literary phenomenon--picture Harry Potter) forums.  Fanfiction is what helped her cope with her mother leaving, created a stronger sisterly bond with her twin, and provided the inspiration for her chosen field of study.  Faced with a new life outside of her comfort zone, Cath will have to choose between moving forward in the real world or continuing to hide in the fanfiction world.

Rowell has a real talent for creating characters so life-like that you almost believe they are people you know.  The dialogue that flies back and forth between certain characters is so realistic and true to the college experience (or at least my college experience) that I was constantly telling people, "Here, just listen to this, I have to read it to you."  Perhaps most impressive was the amount of work and planning that evidently went into setting up a fictional Harry Potter-esque franchise as part of the backdrop for this book.  "Excerpts" and plot points from the Simon Snow series are sprinkled throughout which further sucks the reader into the book.  I actually did a web search to see if Simon Snow was a real series just to make sure I wasn't missing something.  I also appreciated the fact that this is a true young adult novel.  While I do enjoy a good teeny-bopper book, Fangirl  is definitely written for a slightly more mature audience (I'd probably recommend to ages 16+) and I found that really refreshing.

Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of Fangirl at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop & Guest House.

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"The Diviners" by Libba Bray

When looking for a good book to kick off my summer reading, I searched through my "Books to Read" list (an Excel spreadsheet on my laptop complete with the title, author, date I heard about it, and whether or not I already own it, I kid you not) and decided it was time to give The Diviners a try.  I'd read several of Bray's other books before and loved them, so I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed the book.  I was shocked however by how quickly I was hooked and deeply I was engaged by the end of the first chapter.

It's 1926 and Evie O'Neill, the very definition of a flapper girl, has been exiled from her hometown in Ohio to the bustling streets of New York City (poor thing!) after making an enemy of the town's golden boy while drunk at a party.  She is sent to live with her Uncle Will, a curator for the Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult, who has been asked to give the police an assist in solving a string of grisly murders.  Evie convinces her uncle to let her use her ability to read people's pasts while holding an object of their possession to help him in the investigations.  Bray creates a fantastic company of characters to support Evie in her quest for answers, including a mysterious assistant at the museum, a numbers runner in Harlem who dreams of becoming famous through his poetry, a Ziegfield Follies girl on the run from her past, a rakish pickpocket, and Evie's more traditional best friend, Mabel. Now Evie and the rest of the cast must solve the mystery behind the murders before the killer has a chance to unleash some real evil into this world.

What impressed me the most about this book is the way Bray is able to seamlessly weave together multiple points of view from the different characters to create a narrative that is both snappy with that Roaring 20s vibe and hauntingly suspenseful.  There were times where I was compelled to read far later than originally intended because I had  to know what happened next.  Bray also does a fantastic job of bringing her diverse cast of characters to life.  There are only a few books that I have read where I have felt as though I truly know a character from their motivations to their mannerisms, and this is one of those books.  While this book is not for the faint of heart, I would recommend The Diviners to teen readers and those who enjoy being completely engrossed in a fantastic story.

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to order your copy from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop and Guest House!

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"The Legend of L'Esprit" by Doris Greenberg and Pandré Shandley

As the resident dancer here at The Velveteen Rabbit, I was so excited to have The Legend of L'Esprit fall into my lap this summer.  It was the perfect summer read for someone who spent 14 years of her life in a dance studio, but I think the plot line will appeal to those who have never stepped foot in a dance class as well.

Libby Nobleton and her family have recently moved to Chicago and she is looking for a new dance studio to call home.  When she auditions for the premier studio, L'Esprit, she knows she's found her place.  But there's more to this dance studio than ballet barres and full-length mirrors; rumor has it that L'Esprit is haunted by the spirit of the prima ballerina who originally founded the school.  Now Libby and her new friends have to uncover the truth about what happened on the most tragic night of L'Esprit's history to help more than one soul find its peace.

What I found so refreshing about this first novel in the Dance Legacy series was its spot-on blend of the day-to-day life of a young dancer along with the mystery and intrigue of the paranormal phenomena at the dance studio.  I also appreciated the fact that Libby was not involved in a torrid love triangle; she's got a straight head on her shoulders and is an excellent role model both for young dancers, as well as young women in general.  That's not to say that this book is not without its romance!  There's just enough of it to keep the reader satisfied and it's handled in a way that makes it seem realistic, rather than totally unattainable. 

One of the unique features of this book was the dance glossary located in the back.  After having been taught dance by hearing the terms rather than reading them, it was fun to see them actually spelled out and say, "So that's how that's written!"  Each chapter features a different dance term as well, so you don't have to keep paging to the back of the book to look them up.  This is a must-read for those reading dancers out there, as well as those readers just looking for a good book.

Grace gives it 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to order your copy at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop and Guest House!

“Wisdom’s Kiss” by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

 I have never been more confused  by the first 15 pages of a book as I was by the latest novel from the author of the Dairy Queen series.  Of course, if I had read the back cover of the book more carefully,  I would have realized the brilliance of the narrative from the first page.  What makes this book truly unique is the way Murdock seamlessly links diary entries,  letters, encyclopedia excerpts, a self-published family history, and a play to give this fantastic fairytale a unique sense of realism.  Once I figured out how to piece the story together from  the different sources,  I was able to fully enjoy the magic, adventure, and romance that fill the pages.

The story follows the adventures of Princess Wisdom, from the female-led kingdom of Montagne; Trudy, an orphaned kitchen maid; and Tips, a soldier and the object of Trudy’s affections.  Duchess Wilhelmina of Farina wants to absorb the smaller kingdom of Montagne and has set her master plan in motion to do just that.  Now the three heroes of this tale must save their empire from ruin – that is, if they can tolerate each other long enough to form a plan!  They are assisted, as well as hindered, by a thoroughly entertaining cast of characters including Sir Felis el Gato (a master swordsman with an ego longer than his sword), the Queen Mother Benevolence (an attentive and caring chaperone of Princess Wisdom), and her cat, Escoffier.  

As I’ve already mentioned, the unique narrative is what keeps the storyline fresh and exciting for the reader. Although it does take some getting used to, stringing the story together from the several sources of narration becomes a fun sort of game that propels the reader forward until the end of the book. If you’re looking for an entertaining read, Wisdom’s Kiss will not disappoint.

Grace gives this book four and a half out of five carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of Wisdom’s Kiss from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"All These Things I've Done" by Gabrielle Zevin

Author of Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac and Elsewhere, Gabrielle Zevin totally and completely ensnares the reader in her latest teen novel. All These Things I've Done is the first book in the Birthright series which promises to be an exciting dystopian thrill-ride!
The year is 2083. Chocolate and caffeine are controlled substances, water is carefully rationed, and books are scarce. Anya Balanchine is the daughter of New York City's most notorious (and dead) crime boss and a member of one of the great chocolate families in the world, though she distances herself from them as much as possible. With a dying grandmother, a brain-damaged older brother, and a genius little sister to look after, Anya becomes the head of her immediate family. And when she falls for Win Delacroix, the new assistant DA's son, she knows the match is doomed from the start. Things become even more complicated when her bully of an ex-boyfriend is almost fatally poisoned by a bar of Balanchine chocolate and Anya is briefly thrown into prison.

I was completely caught up in the paranoia that surrounds Anya's everyday life through her association with her mafiya-esque extended family. Just when I though I had the whole thing figured out, another twist in the plot completely threw me for a loop. Anya is a strong character who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means the ultimate self-sacrifice. Plus, the love story is as sweet as it is forbidden. I think the Publisher's Weekly review says it best about this story: "Offering the excitement of a crime drama and the allure of forbidden romance, this introduction to a reluctant Godfather-in-the-making will pique the interest of dystopia-hungry readers."

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of All These Things I've Done from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Fixing Delilah" by Sarah Ockler

Delilah's life has a habit of falling apart. Her once good grades have slumped, her boyfriend is more of a non-boyfriend, and her mother won't discuss the huge fight that divided her family eight years ago. But when her mother receives a phone call late one night saying that Delilah's grandmother has passed away, Delilah's summer starts off in a new direction. Now Delilah and her mother must return to her grandmother's house; a place they have not visited since the big family fall-out. Filled with new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test an already complex bond between mother and daughter, Delilah's summer forces her to face her family's painful history.

Having read Sarah Ockler's other young adult novel (a 2010 Kids' Indie Next List pick), Twenty Boy Summer, I was more than delighted when a copy of Fixing Delilah fell in my lap. Ockler creates such realistic characters with whom readers can instantly connect and Delilah is no exception. She's reckless and impulsive, but in a way that endears her to the reading audience. The supporting cast of characters help to create a small-town feel complete in all its hometown quirks. And although I will admit to reading the entire Twilight saga (and enjoying them), I found it refreshing to read a young adult novel that doesn't involve paranormal or supernatural beings having forbidden love affairs with mortals. But don't worry! The romance found in this story is both charming and intense enough to satisfy even the most sentimental readers.

Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of Fixing Delilah at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"I'm Not Her" by Janet Gurtler

As a senior, Kristina has everything she could ever want. She is athletic, outgoing, pretty, popular, and of course with those qualities comes a boyfriend of her choice. Her little sister, Tess, on the other hand, is quiet, shy, and smart. Feeling the need to give her sister, who is now a "Freshie", a head start in high school, Kristina tries to ease Tess into society by taking her to parties and introducing her to all of the popular kids. But Tess prefers to keep to herself and watch everything from the outside. That all changes when Kristina gets diagnosed with cancer. Tess quickly finds with Kristina gone, the popular kids and everyone else comes to her for answers about Kristina. With her sister bedridden and both of her parents very distraught, Tess realizes that she needs to be strong for her family in order to keep them from falling apart. Luckily they also have Jeremy, who not only makes Kristina happy, but also seems to understand what she needs during this difficult time. Both Tess and Kristina come to understand that true friends are always there to help and love you when you need it the most.

"I'm Not Her" is an inspiring story about life and its struggles. It suggests that when a drastic changes occur in life, you sometimes need to step out of your shell. Being strong and steady for the people who are hurt and confused is very important.

Clare gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of "I'm Not Her" at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

“Stupid Fast” by Geoff Herbach

I don’t often enjoy novels that involve sports – myself being "allergic" to athletics in general – but this new novel from Geoff Herbach captivated me from the first page. The story follows Felton Reinstein, a reluctant athlete who is trying to manage friends, a first love, and a family that is falling apart. It all starts when Felton decides to give his all in a PE 600-yard race, and beats the rest of the class by more than 150 yards. Then the coach convinces him to join the football team in the fall. Felton has never had that much interest in sports, but as he puts it, “I am stupid fast.” Now he has to figure out how to juggle his newfound athletic abilities, a mother who refuses to be a parent, a genius pianist of a little brother, and the new girl in town who wants to kiss him. And even his fantastical speed won’t help him run from the shocking secret about his past!

There aren’t too many good coming-of-age books for boys, but this novel is a sure bet! Told through Felton’s witty inner monologue, this book had me laughing out loud more than once. The unique first-person narrative really helps to capture the confusing awkwardness that accompanies being a teenager and will ring true with readers of any age or gender. “This could be a dark tale”, as the first line warns, but Herbach manages to keep readers laughing just enough to realize that even in dark times, there’s always light-hearted moment or two to keep you going.

Stupid Fast comes out in June 2011.

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of "Stupid Fast" at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!