Library Book Review > This Song Will Save Your Life

By:  Leila Sales
Published By: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Published Date: Sept. 17th 2013 
Pages:  288 hardcover
Tags: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Stand Alone, Music 

Source:  Community Library (Save A Tree)

There is a raw and powerful story to be had in between those covers. Once the Mad Scientist embraced This Song Will Save Your Life, MS could not stop devouring.

Starting late into the night, my tea went cold twice and the minutes ticked by yelling at my hard head that the sun would rise in a few hours. A scientist I maybe but a lady should never have bags under her eyes so I stubbornly buried myself under the duvet closing my eyes. Only to wake up as the sun was rising to read till the book was done!

Elise is the one person who never quit belonged with a particular group of kids at school.  Oh, how kids can be cruel. She was a special girl who tried her best at whatever she wanted to learn. However, she found out being special or good at something is just uncool.

Planet & Book Love <3

Lonely is what Elise was determined not to be any longer. She researched being cool and tried so hard to find a friend. Desperation turned into the consideration of suicide. Awe, my dear Elise, MS just wanted to crawl into the book and hug you. Let us just say thank you to the gods above for she did not go through with it.

"Sometimes you just have those days where everything goes wrong. But sometimes, and totally unexpectedly, something can go right."

Now Elise finds herself going through the aftermath of the situation. Soon after the scare she stumbled around late in the night near a business district trying to ward of her wound up nerves. Even in such a unseeming area Elise ran into Vicky & Mel, whom befriended her. Leading Elise into the teaming hectic world of an underground dance party. Music thumps through her body and soul, she is someone else here. The music loving self, not the unpopular HS self. Elise gathered strength from her new friends to survive and recover.

Elise takes it upon herself to learn how to DJ. The young and dashing lad, Char, the leading DJ of the night was needed elsewhere. Taking the reins of the dance party with her efforts and knowledge of music she easily rules the dance floor. Char, takes Elise under wing when realizing she is talented and different. Learning all she can, Elise becomes the hottest DJ in the area! 

Surviving high school surrounded by friends and music, Elise learned that it is alright to stay true to the person you want to be and can be. 

Undoubtedly my favorite Quote!

"I was smiling like a crazy person because I had just made a hundred people dance, I had just made a hundred people scream, I had just made a hundred people happy. I, Elise, using my own power, had made people happy."

Source

Here is how I picture Elise: 

Many lovely groups and songs are mentioned throughout the novel, in which the playlist from within can be found and thoroughly enjoyed at Spotify. As MS developed this mad review the sounds whirled around my skirts and rattled my pinned up hair.  

"I believe that a person's taste in music tells you a lot about them. In some cases, it tells you everything you need to know."

** Thanks to the Oneida Community Library and Inter-Library Loan! All Mad thoughts are presented in the right mind of a twisted brain of the Mad Scientist!**

It was so extremely good I kissed it everywhere & licked the spine.

Originally Posted at Steampunkery & Book Reviews.

Library Book Review > Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

By:  Benjamin Alire Saenz
Published By: Simon & Schuster
Published Date: Feb. 21st 2012
Pages:  359 hardcover
Tags: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Stand Alone, GLBT 

Source:  Community Library (Save A Tree)

Honestly, the Mad Scientist was even more clueless as to what to read when I went to library after being out of the US of A for nearly 6 months. (Explored Thailand, Malaysia & Laos.) What is a Mad Scientist to do?  With having so many literary awards on such a beautiful cover MS just felt like she could not go wrong.  Besides I think everyone of us could us a few secrets of the universe.  Walking out of the library with book in gloved hands MS just did not know what she was getting into with Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.  

"My mother and father held hands. I wondered what that was like, to hold someone's hand. I bet you could sometimes find all the mysteries of the universe in someone's hand." - page 140

Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is told through a very young angry loner, Aristotle aka Ari. Ari & Dante met when the were 15 during one of those boring summers where you wait for something amazing to happen. It was a friendship they both seemed to bumble and stumble through with such little grace you could not help but wonder and smile at them.  It was a friendship were they spent days & nights laughing at each other, looking at the stars, experiencing sexual struggles & trying to navigate through cultural identity.  Of course, we also had bits and pieces of questioning the universe. 

Now the Mad Scientist is not one to cry over a book.  We wouldn't want to get rusty, now would we?  However, once I finished this particular book... I did.  The romance that I did not see or expect at all just jarred me which in turn made MS cry.  A few perfect tears, the roll down the cheeks kind. The jealous & strong emotions of Ari wanting to protect Dante at any cost had my heart. Dear boy!


Here is how I picture Ari & Dante: 

Source

Truly one of the best GLBT books MS has had the pleasure to read! Even if it was unexpected!

Benjamin Alire Saenz wrote the book in such a way that it is hard for MS to describe it in any other way then being beautiful.  The heavy handed issues about self identity and coming to age were managed with class & great writing that made it beautiful to read.  The writing, the characters, the story, the relationship was just too beautiful. 

"You could smell the rain in the desert even before a drop fell. I closed my eyes. I held my head out and felt the first drops. It was like a kiss. The sky was kissing me." - page 293

The awards were greatly deserved and MS is so happy to have spied this beauty on the shelf. Congratulations Benjamin! It was a great welcome back to the US of A & regular reading.

** Thanks to the Oneida Community Library and Inter-Library Loan! All Mad thoughts are presented in the right mind of a twisted brain of the Mad Scientist!

It was so amazing I kissed & licked every inch of the book!

Originally Posted at Steampunkery & Book Reviews.

The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder (Second Review!)

The Lipstick Laws
By Amy Holder
Publisher: Graphia, 2011
237 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 11/6/2011
Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Chick Lit

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her. For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity. But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Sitting near Darci Madison on the schoolbus is enough to put anyone with woman-sprout issues over the edge."
~Last Line: "And with that, I go to bed a proud Lipstick Lawbreaker and an ex-bra-stuffer."

Review: Talk about an awesome book! I really didn't expect it to be that good! It sort of showed me what high school could be like this upcoming year (I doubt it'll be anything like this book, but anything's possible, right? :D).

The main character, April Bowers, is a sophmore in high scool -- with no friends. Her best bud has moved away to Kansas, and somehow, on the first day, April manages to be accepted by the most popular girl in school. Things are amazing for her so far, even though her best friend warns her to stay away.

The plot was really awesome. You could tell that Amy seriously (maybe not too seriously) thought about the best way to write the characters and what happened throughout the 237 pages of the novel. Everything was just so teenish, and the reader can relate to April and her friends so weel. It all just sort of seems real!

The Lipstick Laws was most definitely an ahmazing book. I wish that it was a series, though. I've heard that they are thinking about making a tv series off of it. Hope that follows throught! :)

and a half :)

Quotes from the book:

"No girl wants to hear that she needs a makeover. I know I'm not a supermodel, but c'mon, I'm not a wilting weed in desperate need of Miracle-Gro, either."

" 'Ah, to be a teenager again . . . when noon is morning and midnight is going to bed early.' "

"I get the tortellini alfredo. It's to die for. Technically, I guess it really could be to die for . . . hence my father's nickname for it: heart attack on a plate. Regardless of its artery-clogging qualities, it's delicious."

"Mr. Stuart jumps in horror when he sees me. 'Holy smokes, April! What happened?'
'Tennis balls are hazardous weapons,' I respond cooly.
The class laughs. I'm happy that others find humor in my suffering."

________________________________________________________

And now I have an awesome interview with Amy herself! :D Enjoy!

1. What made you want to be an author?
I've always loved to write, and I dreamed of being an author when I was little. However, it wasn’t until after college that I really started thinking about pursuing it professionally. I studied psychology in college and once I was out in the real world working in the field, I realized I wouldn’t feel completely fulfilled unless I was able to do something I truly adore. Writing is that something … and I feel very lucky to have accomplished my childhood dream.

2. What gave you the idea for The Lipstick Laws?
The idea for the book was very character driven. April, the main character, was the first aspect of the story that came to me. I always knew I wanted to write a fun story about the ups and downs of high school, but the whole plot evolved by free-writing in April's voice and putting her character into what-if scenarios.

3. Would you say that you’re a Lipstick Lawlord, or a Lipstick Lawbreaker?
I'm a Lipstick Lawbreaker through and through! I could never follow the Lipstick Laws... especially Lipstick Laws two, three and four!

4. What can we expect from you in the next couple of years?
In the next couple of years, I'm hoping to have another book or two out. Also, The Lipstick Laws was recently optioned for TV, so there's a chance that it may go to production at some point -- fingers crossed. There are still many steps that would have to happen before it gets to that point...but the possibility is exciting regardless.

5. Who are your favorite authors of all-time?
The authors who sparked my love of reading and writing at a young age will always have a soft spot in my heart. Those authors are: Shel Silverstein, Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Madeleine L'Engle. I also adore Sophie Kinsella, J.K. Rowling, and Charles Dickens. And I may be biased, but I think my fellow 2011 debut authors are pretty amazing as well!

6. Do you enjoy eating asparagus?
Haha! This may be one of the most random questions I've ever gotten in an interview.... but, yes, I do enjoy eating asparagus. Thanks for asking. :)

7. What are some of your hobbies when you’re not writing?
I love art, photography, anything that makes me laugh, baking, shopping, going to plays, spending time with family/friends...and I'm a huge animal lover, so I like spending time with my pets and/or getting involved with animal rescue groups.

8. What’s your favorite holiday of the year?
Christmas is by far my favorite holiday! In fact, I'd love to be a holiday elf - even just for a day. Preferably the day would be Christmas Eve....because dressing like a holiday elf in the middle of July would probably be a little creepy.

9. How can my followers and I stay in top of what’s happening with you and your books?
You can find me at the following links (please don't hesitate to say hi!):

Twitter: www.twitter.com/amyholderbooks
Website: www.amyholder.com
Blog: amyholderbooks.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amyholderbooks
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/amyholder

Also, if you'd like to meet me in person, check out my news and reviews page for information about upcoming events: amyholdernews.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for the interview, Zakiya!

Thank YOU, Amy, for participating!!! I really appreciate it :p

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Falling Under (Falling Under, #1)
By Gwen Hayes
Publisher: New American Library, 2011
324 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 9/6/2011
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Romance, Some Adventure

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Everything changed the night I saw the burning man fall from the sky."
~Last Line: "And together we fell under."

Review: When I started reading Falling Under, I was automatically  pulled in (like I was with all the other books being featured this week; LOL). Again, this was a completely new concept for me, but I really loved it.

As I met Theia and learned more about her past and her family and friends, I was pulled in even more! The way Theia was raised after her mother died, not being able to go anywhere or barely do anything -- I think it's all sort of ridiculous. But I guess when I reached the end of the book, it made sense as to why he was so protective.

The supernatural beings in this one were demons. Nope, no angels. That's what I loved about this one (among about a thousand other things) -- even though there were demons, there weren't angels trying to fight them back or anything. It was very nice anything :).

On to the male of the book: Haden. Half-demon, half-human. I love it! All he's ever wanted was to be completely human; it was pretty cool that he and Theia met every night in the demon world of Under. It was crazy cool, but so mysterious! Although I believe when she actually traveled to Under is was even better. For, you know, traveling purposes, of course :D.

Simple: Get. This. Book. No questions should be forming in your head. The book is amazing. Get it!

Quotes from the book:

"So he was a sweet-talking, cross-dressing, fortune-telling . . . surfer?"

"My makeup was an altogether different experience. Shellacked and powdered, I protested her heavy hand, but my objections were dismissed. As were my protests about the red halter shirt she put me in, claiming it was a dress. If my future included a street corner and a pimp named Ice Money, I'd be ready."

" 'Donny, it would be like opening a barn door during a stampede and expecting only the brown cow with the blue collar to enter. You can't control a stampede.' "

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity (Clarity, #1)

By Kim Harrington

Publisher: Point, 2011

242 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 7/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Romance, Fantasy

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case - but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother - who has supernatural gifts of his own - becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: " 'You don't want to kill me,' I said."
~Last Line: "Hopefully I'd never have to know my own limits."

Review: Harrington instantly pulled me in. A family full of crazies seems pretty interesting to me. I can definitely say that I wasn't disappointed. Clarity was great!

Clarity "Clare" Fern has the gift of [insert big R word] (retrospective?) pyschometry. LOL. I can never remember what the word is! But anyway, when she touches things, she can sometimes feel traces of people, and thus see memories of things that happened to those people earlier. The powers, like any other, are extraordinary. I loved reading the pages where Clare used her gift.

Clarity's oceanside tourist town has just witnessed a murder. Her brother, Peter, is one of the people police are looking at. To help her brother, and the rest of the town, and just because she's a good citizen, Clarity agrees to work on the case with Justin (her ex) and Gabriel (the new guy in town). It might be great, but Gabriel doesn't feel very joyful working with a psychic. His attitude towards Clare isn't exactly a hopeful one that she'll find anything. Actually, he doesn't think she'll help at all.

Gabriel's character was so romantic at some points, but then either (1) Justin popped up, or (2) something about the case occurred that needed to be handled. *shakes head* oh well. That's why they make sequels :). He could also be pretty mysterious at some moments in the book. He and his father don't exactly have a wonderful past, but they deal with it the best they can. Respectable, in my opinion.

Clarity was just absolutely amazing. I can't wait for Perception to be released next year!

Quotes from the book:

"Yummy's specialty was fresh seafood, which doesn't appeal to me. Yes, I live on the Cape and don't eat seafood. It's a crime, I know."

They exchanged a look and grinned at me.
'Sorry,' the blond one said. 'We didn't expect you to look so . . . '
'Frankly,' the dark-haired guy picked up, 'we thought you'd be an old hag.'
'Oh, that's my mother.'
They eyes widened as Mom came in on the heels of that line and then we all had a good laugh."

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton & Interview w/Tessa!

Blood Magic (Blood Journals, #1)

By Tessa Gratton

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2011

405 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 19/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Action

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...


Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "I am Josephine Darly, and I intend to live forever."
~Last Line: "Silla stared at the eyes of the first one and reached out her hand."

Review: Blood Magic was not what I thuoght it would be. It was even better!!

I was so instantaneously pulled in to the story as Silla received the book full of spells that was simply signed "The Deacon." He obviously knew her father if he was sending this to her, but her dad would never have believed in magic, right? Wll, it's wrong.

The characters in this novel were really awesome. They were thought out for sure. I would like to applaud Tessa (and every other author whose book I'm reviewing this week) for their amazing details! You could be probably be the character/s if they got any more descriptive. That's definitely a good thing, though!

The plot line of Blood Magic is  unquestionably original if you ask me. I've never read a book like this at all. Entirely intriguing and a completely new concept. I really loved it and can't wait until The Blood Keeper is released!! :)

 (10 out of 5)

Quotes from the book:

"And just like that she was crying. I felt a little like That Guy who holds a baby at arm's length because he's afraid it's going to pee on him.."

" 'Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.'
Automatically, I replied, 'I'd like to see your deep--' but thank God I stopped before I said something unforgiveable in front of her grandma.
And her brother."

" 'It was Lilith, wasn't it? What did that b---h say now?'
'Nicholas Pardee, you will not, I repeat, not refer to MAry by that awful name.'
'Which one?' "

______________________________________________________________

And now, for the interview with Tessa Gratton herself!!!!!!!

1. Have you always wanted to be an author?
Since I was about 8! I wanted to be other things, too. A ballerina, a paleontologist, an actor, and a wizard. (I still want to be a wizard.)

2. What gave you the idea for Blood Magic?
I was walking my dog around the park, and I just thought of it! Originally, it was about a brother and sister dealing with magical powers, with an evil body-snatcher after them!

3. If you could go anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go?
Oh, everywhere! Someplace I know I love: either Sydney, Australia, or Budapest, Hungary. If it’s a place I haven’t been but want to go… Sweden.

4. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, Kristin Cashore, Anne Rice, Melina Marchetta, Tim O’Brien.

5. What can we expect from you within the next few years?
I have a companion novel to Blood Magic out in the next year, and after that, I can’t say! Hopefully a new series!

6. What do you l ike to do when you’re not writing?
I’m addicted to Netflix – especially crime dramas and comedy. I also love walking outside under the big Kansas sky and spending time grilling with friends.

7. Do you have a favorite movie?
Oooo. Um. “Spirited Away” probably, if I HAVE to pick one. It’s AMAZING.

8. Is there a specific day that you love to write on?
Any of them! All of them!

9. How can my followers and I keep up with you?
I’ve got a website: http://www.tessagratton.com/, with links to my blog, Twitter, FB page, GoodReads page, and YouTube page. I’m all over the place!


Awesome interview, Tessa!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither (Chemical Garden trilogy, #1)

By Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011

358 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 27/5/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Futuristic

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "I wait."
~Last Line: "This time, I don't know where the light will guide us."

Review: Lauren DeStefano's debut novel was ahmazing! It kept me coming back for more; I couldn't put it down long enough to do anything other than text, which, for me, is saying something!

The main character, Rhine is introduced to us in the back of a van. She's been kidnapped, and in the end is one of the lucky ones. While every girl is nearing their time for death, Rhine and two others are lucky enough to prolong it.

Everything that happened in Wither held my attention and kept me reading for hours at a time. One of my favorite characters in this book was Jenna. She was always so secretive about certain things, but she sincerely cared about her sister wives and what happened to them. Life isn't exactly a fairy tale for Jenna close to the end of the book, but c'est la vie, I guess.

This book . . . wow. There really aren't words. I just wish that I could babble on and on about everything that took place in it. But that would sort of ruin the book for others, so I'll refrain myself :). I'm definitely anxious for the release of Fever next year!

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Hate List

By Jennifer Brown

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2009

405 pages, paperback

Date Finished: 24/5/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Some Action

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "The scene in the Garvin High School cafeteria, known as the Commons, is being described as "grim" by investigators who are working to identify the victims of a shooting spree that erupted Friday morning."
~Last Line: "And I'd gone home and packed, leaving the suitcase open on my bed, next to the horses in the wallpaper, which were -- as they'd always been, of course -- completely motionless."

Review: The first time I heard of this book was when my bestie Leanne got it from the library and loved it. She recommended it to me and gave it to me as a birthday present. I'm very glad she did.

The main character, Valerie, wasn't exactly the most popular girl in school. She was far from it. Between being called "Sister Death" by her peers and having to listen to her parents' constant arguing, her only escape is her boyfriend Nick. Until Nick is the shooter in a shooting spree, and takes his life last.

The novel was just soo good. There were a lot of times where it was just too sad, and you couldn't help but feel sorry for Valerie. She definitely went through some tough times that school year. Some of the people she despised even became some of her best friends after the incident.

You're probably wondering exactly what the Hate List is. Well, whenever something happened that Valerie or Nick hated, they added it to the Hate List. They added people, things, anything. Some of the people that Nick killed and injured during the shooting were on the Hate List.

All in all, this novel was so real i nmy eyes. Valerie had so much to go through after the shooting. You really can't help but feel bad for her. A story that definitely touched my heart time and time again. I wish Jennifer Brown would write a prequel to it! :)