New YA: June 8-14.
While I realize it's somewhat ridiculous that I persist in trying to compile these lists, I shall persevere, because I find the posts HUGELY helpful. So, please bear with me.
New hardbacks:
Flirting in Italian, by Lauren Henderson:
It’s an entertaining, light read, and it’s smart. For one thing, Henderson has a fabulous ear. I’m not talking about the British, American and Italian characters using appropriate slang, which they do, I’m saying that she even nails the varying rhythms of their speech. That, and she highlights cultural differences without ever breaking character or getting didactic.
For Darkness Shows the Stars, by Diana Peterfreund:
Oh, guys. Long story short, you’re going to love it. It’s a swoonfest, sure, but it’s not a swoonfest in the way that you’d expect. It’s all about anticipation: not the anticipation of future smoochies, but the anticipation of Elliot and Malakai coming to an understanding. The anticipation of their mutual forgiveness and of their moving forward together, of renewing their friendship, becoming partners again, and maybe, of rekindling their love.
The Golden Lily: A Bloodlines Novel, by Richelle Mead:
Despite the plot holes and the issues with unbelievable characterization (Sydney's convenient on-again/off-again social skills and/or deductive reasoning), I continue to find this series completely enjoyable. While Sydney's cluelessness about Adrian's Feelings for her (not to mention SPOILER BUT IT'S OBVIOUS her cluelessness about her own Lack of Feelings for Brayden END SPOILER) does get a tad grating, it's also nice to see a paranormal heroine who isn't constantly having the Which Dude Is The Dude For Her internal debate.
Keeping The Castle, by Patrice Kindl:
It’s very, very rare that I read something that forces me to type (or worse, utter) the three words that I regard as the Most Insipid Descriptors Ever. I’m going to go ahead and get them out of the way right now: Keeping the Castle is DELIGHTFUL and CHARMING and LOVELY.
My Life in Black and White, by Natasha Friend:
The thing is, even though My Life in Black and White made me very, very grateful that I never have to re-visit those years, and even though Lexi is almost constantly massively self-absorbed, I still liked her. And even if the differences in our maturity levels kept me from identifying with her, I still felt for her. Even at her most obnoxious: because even at her most obnoxious, her voice rings true. She's always honest, even when that honesty paints her as unattractive or hypocritical.
My Life Next Door, by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Stronger: A Super Human Clash, by Michael Carroll
Tokyo Heist, by Diana Renn
Lies Beneath, by Anne Greenwood Brown
The Master of Misrule, by Laura Powell
Rapture (Fallen), by Lauren Kate
Reunited, by Hilary Weisman Graham
The Vindico, by Wesley King
Zoe Letting Go, by Nora Price
Crazy, by Amy Lynn Reed
Timepiece: An Hourglass Novel, by Myra McEntire
Run the Game, by Jason Myers
Riese: Kingdom Falling, by Greg Cox, Ryan Copple and Kaleena Kiff
The Fear (An Enemy Novel), by Charlie Higson
New paperbacks (that I've written about):
Tighter, by Adele Griffin:
Like any great story with a killer twist—a twist that enhances the story and adds a secondary reading, rather than simply serving as a “gotcha!” ending—I’m looking forward to rereading Tighter for the hidden layers. It’s safe to say that unlike the black-and-white sane vs. insane debate that arises in every conversation about The Turn of the Screw, discussions of Tighter will reside in the more nebulous and more interesting gray area.