Top Ten Books in 2011

This top ten Tuesday, hosted by the lovely blog The Broke and the Bookish, I will do a bit differently. There has been a lot of talk recently about highly anticipated books in the coming year, and it's something I've been thinking about. So here are my thoughts on lists like this.

I think it's fantastic that others get excited about books that are going to come out soon or in the distant future. But I don't quite understand it. I have so many books that I want to read that are already out, or that I already own. I don't even look at other books that will be coming out in the near future, unless I loved the first in the series so much that I can't stand to wait another minute to find out what happens. And even then, I probably won't pick up the sequel until well after its release date (unless, of course, it's Harry Potter). This was the case with The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. I was blown away by it, and immediately wanted to read the sequel. But I didn't have it with me and the library was closed, so I had no choice but to wait. I took it out of the library, and it's been sitting in my car for weeks.

I know of books that will be released soon, but I don't necessarily feel any excitement for them. Curiousity, sure. But I can wait. I've got plenty to occupy my time before then, and then some.

All this said, I do have to admit I am looking forward to Delirium by Lauren Oliver, since Before I Fall was pretty amazing. I'd like to read it before then, as many other bloggers seem to have done already, but like I said, I have plenty to read until February 1, 2011.

If you are one of those people who knows what they want to read in the next year, link up to your own top ten post on The Broke and the Bookish's post. Maybe I'll get some ideas from you!

Review: "The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball" by Risa Green

Title: The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball
Author: Risa Green
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire, 2010
Where I got it: I was sent a copy by the publisher for review.

Erin Channing leads a pretty boring life. She has the highest GPA in the tenth grade, does nothing out of the ordinary, takes no risks, and plays by the rules. That is, until she inherits a Pink Crystal Ball (think Magic 8 Ball, but clear with pink opaque liquid inside) from her recently deceased Aunt Kiki. After the initial grief of losing her aunt, Erin and her friends realize there's more to this Pink Crystal Ball than it first appears. Could it grant her wishes for real? This might be the answer to all her problems, including her boring life—but it also might come at a cost.

At first I was a little worried about the way certain concepts and practices were treated in this book. Green takes real religious practices and things that are taken very seriously by some people, and kind of mocks them a bit—it made me slightly uncomfortable. But then I took a step back and tried to enjoy the story for what it was: a light, fun comedy of errors/coming-of-age story with a dash of romance and magic.

At first I didn't really like Erin or her friends, but as time went on I definitely changed my mind. I kind of was like Erin in high school, though I did do other things besides study. They're all pretty easy to identify with, for the most part, and I ended up invested in the outcome of their story.

I enjoyed seeing how the ball made certain wishes come true, especially since they didn't always turn out quite the way Erin envisioned. Especially when she made wishes about changing things about her body. Pretty funny, that.

But despite all of the fun and silly things that happen, there are some heavier issues explored, like grief, reconciliation, serious bullying (in person and via the Internet), family problems, not to mention three-dimensionality in some supposedly stock characters. Erin's friend Lindsay is tormented by a girl in their grade, to the point she fakes sick and stays home from school; her other friend Samantha, though rich, has to live with parents who hate each other and openly talk about their feelings in front of her; Erin and her mother both have to deal with Kiki's (her mother's sister) death and the lack of closure, as she hadn't spoken to either of them in the last year of her death.

What I was perhaps most surprised about was the development of Megan, the mean girl who tortures Lindsay and has been for years. Green gives her layers that we don't expect, especially ones that Erin herself is surprised to discover. It also makes her readers wonder about the people they dislike in their own lives.

This book is a lesson in learning to look deeper than the surface, to take a few chances in life and to enjoy it while you can. And the best part is Green manages to get this point across without being corny, and still making it a fun time.

Want your own, SIGNED copy of this book? Sign up below! Sorry, this one is for U.S. residents only, since the author is sending the book herself. One entry per person, please. This contest will end Wednesday, 12/15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Secret Santa Awesomeness!

Oh man, I'm posting so much I bet you guys don't know WHAT to think. Three posts in two days??? What has come over me!

I am just so excited about my Secret Santa awesomeness that I simply must share it with you all. Some of you may know I took part in two separate Secret Santas in the bookish community this year—the one hosted by the College Students! group on GoodReads, of which I've been a member for more than 2 years (whoa, crazy) and the one hosted by the other blog I collaborate on, The Broke and the Bookish.

The other day I got an excellent present from my GR Secret Santa, of whom I know the identity but will not mention here because we are trying to keep it a secret in the group until just around Christmas (I think). But I am incredibly grateful, because not only did I get two awesome books:

I also got this fantastic card that was also my hint:

I am super excited to read both of these books!

Okay, so today I got my other package, which was a real boon because I needed some cheering up as I recently lost my phone and finally forked out the cash to get a new one on eBay this morning. So I was excited to see that the mailman left this on my doorstep.

Yay! It was from Em of Love YA Lit! What could possibly be in this wonderful package?

Why, all of this!!

A mix tape, based on my love for Ingrid Michaelson!

Doggie treats for Lucy! :)

Okay, this one was in a package first, but I took it out. It is flower tea!

And finally, the best part of all, this!

It was wrapped, but I destroyed that wrapping paper in my eagerness.

Yaayyy!! I really didn't think I would get this one, even though I secretly hoped I would. Thanks Em!

BAAHHH EDIT EDIT EDIT!!!! IT IS SIGNED!!!!!!!! HOW INCREDIBLY AWESOME!! :D

And because I know you want to know, here is what the flower tea looked like while it was blooming.

Dropping it in the hot water.

It's starting to bloom!

Almost complete...

Yay! A flower! That is tea!

Happy holidays everyone! I hope those of you who took part in Secret Santas made out as well as I did.

Review: "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff

Title: How I Live Now
Author: Meg Rosoff
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books, 2004
Where I got it: Took it out of the library.

15-year-old American-born Daisy is shipped off to stay with her aunt and cousins on their farm in England, when war breaks out. All is changed forever—Aunt Penn left for Oslo a few days before The Occupation, and Daisy and her four cousins are left alone to fend for themselves. In the beginning, it's wonderful—especially when Daisy and her cousin Edmond find they feel more for each other than just cousinly love. But they are soon forced to remember that they are living in the middle of a war, and paradise can't last forever.

I've heard others say this book is not so much about the war as it is about Daisy and her relationships. I'm going to have to disagree; this is unequivocally a war story, albeit one that heavily relies on the relationships between Daisy and her cousins, especially Edmond. The Enemy is never named, and we never find out who invaded, who is bombing, or who the foreigners are, making it that much scarier; it is deliberately left ambiguous. Life is not pretty when people around the country are dying, often violently, and despite the early days of ignorance for these five children, they learn this fast and the hard way.

At first the run-on style of Daisy's narration kind of bugged me, but as the story went on it started to fit really well with the events. Her rush to get the words out just worked with the events, though it did work much better once the war got into full swing. When she was just with her cousins it seemed out of place.

Another thing other people mentioned was the relationship between Daisy and Edmond, and how it didn't seem so strange, even if they are first cousins. I have to say, I couldn't quite forget all about it, and it did bother me a little, but not enough to stop reading the book. It would be a shame to put this one down because of that. The descriptions of war and how Daisy and her cousins managed to live through it are the real reason to read this. And yet, despite the triumph of surviving, it is quite a dark book with a somewhat problematic (though hopeful) ending.

This is another Printz Award-winner, and I have to say I like this one better than The White Darkness. The story kept me reading late into the night, and once I got past the beginning it was hard to put down. Rosoff gives us a horrific and graphic look at war from the perspective of a younger and reluctant participant, a girl who started off apathetic about the whole situation and is quickly forced to see that it does matter, even if you don't think it can touch you.

Did this deserve a Printz? I'd say probably. It is very well-written and is pretty powerful, not to mention does not shy away from gore or sexuality and has a pretty riveting plot. I liked it well enough, though I'm not sure it will stay with me for very long. I'll remember it for sure, but it won't be something I find myself deeply contemplating.

This reminded me of Susan Beth Pfeffer's Life As We Knew It, though I liked Pfeffer's book better. If you liked How I Live Now, you might want to consider taking a look at Pfeffer's trilogy.

Top Ten Places I Like to Read

Another Tuesday arrives, and with it a Top Ten Tuesday hosted by us crazy kids at The Broke and the Bookish. After you're done reading my fave places to read, this week's theme, then why don't you head on over there and link to your own list? And without further ado, these are the places I love to read the best.

1. My bed. Yes, I'm one of those people who likes to lounge around in bed at whatever hour of the day and read until I feel like taking a nap. And then I do. Because I'm on my bed.

2. The armchair next to the window in my family room. It is super comfy, and during the day I get natural light. At nighttime I can just switch on the lamp on the little table next to it, and also set down a cup of tea or hot chocolate or hot cider or whatever drink I might be drinking. (Wine too.)

3. The couch in the living room. This couch is right next to a huge picture window, and I love to prop myself up on the arm of it and read in the sunlight, especially during the summer. Now it's okay, but it's best when it's super sunny.

4. By the fire. Sometimes we put a fire in our fireplace, which is not automatic like Jamie's unfortunately, but still pretty nice.

5. Panera. Okay, so at my Panera they have a fireplace and it's awesome. I managed to snag one of the two tables next to it this morning while I was finishing up my homework and I felt super special. It's very cozy. Plus, free Wi-Fi when I want to surf the web.

6. True North Cafe. True North is an independent cafe in my hometown (Burlington, MA) and is in fact run by my brother's friend's mom, which is cool. Very nice atmosphere there, plus their food and coffee are yummy.

7. Starbucks. This is my go-to when I'm not sure where to go. Whenever I'm going to meet the boyfriend at his house and he's going to be late, I'll just head on over to Starbucks, get some tea and read until he's close to home. When I was abroad in London for a semester, I would walk to one of the, like, five or six in my immediate area (it was insane, there were so many) and read there.

8. Outside during the spring and summer. More during the spring, since it's not super hot yet. I love sitting outside, relaxing and reading in my backyard. I have to be on a chair though, since my yard's grass is terrible and patchy.

9. The library. It's not necessarily my favorite, since I work there, but there are pretty comfortable chairs that I can sit it, and I have to be there by necessity anyway.

10. With someone I love. Especially if I'm reading to them. I can't wait until I read to my kids. Yep, I'm going to be one of those moms who forces their kids to listen to bedtime stories. I did that to my brother when he was little too, and he hated it haha. BUT I MADE HIM LISTEN.

Those are my top ten, and yes I do realize the last one is not necessarily a place, but I ran out. I don't go a whole lot of places to read. (And I do realize I mentioned three separate coffee places, but cut me a break. They're all different and I go there for different reasons.)

What are your faves?

Review: "Plain Jayne" by Hillary Manton Lodge

Title: Plain Jayne
Author: Hillary Manton Lodge
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, 2010
Where I got it: Library!

Jayne is your average city dweller, living in Portland, Oregon and trying to make a name for herself as an investigative reporter. She works hard at what she does, and maybe too much—when her boss asks her to take a vacation instead of covering a coveted story in Cuba, she decides she's going to use the time to chase her own story. She is going to find an Amish family to live with and profile for the paper. But living with an Amish family is not as simple as she expected, and it makes her reexamine the way she is living her own life. Especially when she thinks about her growing friendship with carpenter Levi Burkholder, and she sees the way he interacts with his own family. Will experiencing Plain life change the way Jayne lives hers?

What I loved most about this book is the writing style. Lodge is great with dialogue and internal monologue—Jayne narrates, and she has a crisp wit with just enough sarcasm. I laughed out loud a few times, which always wins points for me. I often found myself thinking that she kind of talks like I do and she is incredibly relatable, for the most part.

I also loved watching Jayne go through her life and sort everything out in her head. She really struggled with repairing relationships within her family, and knowing she could never make things completely right with her recently deceased father. Though this didn't really tear at my heart the way other books that deal with dead loved ones did, Lodge still managed to make me understand where Jayne was coming from and root for her to fix things as best she could.

Jayne isn't the only one dealing with family dynamics. The Amish family she stays with isn't perfect either, even if they appear to be at first glance. With one son all but shunned and a daughter contemplating leaving, they have a lot to deal with and think about. Ultimately, this book is about family,  loyalty and discovering yourself and your beliefs. (This is what I could call a Christian fiction book, by the way.)

**Mild spoilers ahead!**

My problems with the book started toward the last quarter of the book. Things seemed to be resolved, and then Levi and Jayne ran into an issue. This happens in life, yes, but the way it was handled kind of made me a little angry. It's clear Levi and Jayne both made mistakes, but they were the result of the way they were treated by their own families. Levi is sensitive to loved ones whose feelings change about him when he changes his life course, and Jayne is very guarded. Yet it looked to me like Levi felt he was completely in the right, and Jayne was forced to admit she was wrong. It didn't seem fair or okay to me.

**Spoilers done!**

Plain Jayne is a light, wholesome romance that was just what I needed. It was a little fluffy, with some more serious themes like faith, family and unconditional love. It tended to drag toward the middle—I felt like it could have probably ended sooner than it did—and I didn't like the story quite so much once she left the Amish community, but despite this I enjoyed it enough to want to read its sequel, Simply Sara.

Review: "The Good Neighbors, Book One: Kin" by Holly Black

Title: The Good Neighbors, Book One: Kin
Author: Holly Black
Illustrator: Ted Naifeh
Publisher: Graphix, 2008
Where I got it: The library.

Rue starts right off the bat by telling us she doesn't worry about anything. She doesn't worry about her mother who has been missing for 3 weeks, she doesn't worry about her dad who has gone into a stupor since her mother disappeared, and she doesn't worry that she might be going crazy. That's why she's seeing all of these weird things and impossible beings, right?

But when her dad is accused of not one, but two murders, and a previously unknown grandfather shows up, she knows she has to dig a bit to find some answers. What she finds is much more than she bargained for.

Holly Black has created a spellbinding world in which faeries and folklore exist among the mortals in our worlds. The two previously lived together fairly peacefully, if not on the best of terms, but things are starting to crumble a bit. Rue finds herself in between the two worlds, through no desire of her own, and discovers she is to play one of the biggest roles in some sort of upcoming confrontation, though she's not sure of specifics, and we're not given many answers in this first installment of the Good Neighbors trilogy.

Black certainly leaves her readers with a lot of questions, which I expect to have answered in Kin's sequels. The story is promising, if not terribly original, and Black promises at least an intriguing plot with some interesting characters.

Speaking of characters, I found it hard to connect with any of them. We are treated with Rue's first-person narrative, but I wasn't particularly fond of her and didn't quite feel enough sympathy to care about where she was going or what she was trying to figure out. I was invested merely in the story, and not the players (unless you count finding out about mysterious characters, like the thus-far-impenetrable Tam). Her friends seem loyal, except for her boyfriend, and her dad a decent enough guy, but I found there was little character development or depth to any of them.

As for the illustrations, Naifeh was born to draw faeries and magical creatures. Humans not so much. I found myself confused as to how people came to the extreme emotional duress the illustrations implied—they occasionally seemed far too dramatic. The rest of the time, they looked warped and unpleasant, like they didn't quite fit their skin, and their features were inconsistent. The only way to tell who was who was often defining characteristics like hair and clothing.

I will continue reading the series, if just to find out what happens and learn more about the different beings in this world. I sincerely hope there will be a greater need for faery illustrations and less for humans. It's an interesting premise, and I'm hoping it will live up to its potential.