Pick of the Week: The One Where I Need it to Be Summer

Pick of the Week is... well, it's exactly what it sounds like. Once a week I pick a book. I may pick said book because I'm super excited about it. Or maybe I was super excited about it, forgot how excited I was, and am now using this to refresh my memory. It's also possible said book was blurring in with all the other books in my brain and I want to get re-excited about it. Another possible option is that I just want to flail about a book I'm about to read/am currently reading. Basically, I'm writing a love-note to a book I haven't started/finished yet to build hype for both myself and my reader. Which doesn't sound like a smart plan, but, oh well, too late.

And in case you want more of an origin story, you can check out my first Pick of the Week post.

This week is all about the summer time swoons. It's also got an incredibly swoony cover. Basically, everything about this book makes me swoon. And it makes me want to go to the beach immediately. Not to mention, it's one I'm sure I'm going to love, especially since I loved the first book in the set.

I feel like my hints were vague enough for you to not know what book I've picked this week. Maybe? But it's also one of my Bout of Books picks. So you could probably go back to that and figure it out...

Did you go back?

Did you figure it out?

Yes?

No?

Ready to know what the pick is anyway?

Okay.

Top Ten ALA ARCs On My Spring 2014 TBR List (48)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I'm terrible at sticking to these lists but I took a picture of a stack of ARCs I got at ALA I plan to read this spring. Since I'm feeling particularly lazy, I just took a picture of the stack. That's good enough, right?

Review: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Title: Nantucket Blue
Author: Leila Howland
Release Date: May 7th, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Page Count: 294
Source: Purchased
Rating: Friend break-ups suck but this book is WONDERFUL.

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t. 

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

[Summary Source: Goodreads]

THE REVIEW

Cricket and Jules are BFF. They're the kind of BFF who are so close that when Jules's family goes to Nantucket for the summer, they invite Cricket along. For the whole summer. But then Jules's mom dies and everything gets really, really bad, really quickly. Jules shuts Cricket out of her life, even going so far as to disinvite Cricket for the summer. Under the pretense that Jules's dad was the one to say Cricket couldn't come to Nantucket, Cricket finds a way to pave her way to this fancy island she has no where near enough money to vacation on. And then, obviously, she finds out Jules has de-friended her. After that, things get a little dicey. Especially once Jules's younger brother, Zack, and Cricket begin cozying up to one another...

Let's break this down:

Before I get started on the meat and potatoes of this review, I'd like note that I do have personal feelings about this book. I'm not going to get into the details because, well, the details attached to these personal feelings are a little TOO personal. But, just for the record, I get this book. I get Cricket, I get Jules, I get both of them together and it's agonizing and terrible and there's no right way to go about any of this. Even if you think it's the right way, like Cricket did, you might be wrong because you can't know how anyone's going to respond to grief. Even if you know a person backwards and forwards, you can never know. Just like Cricket didn't.

Basically: This book hit really close to home and I found it to be totally accurate to the experience of a good friend losing a parent and then you, as the friend, having to deal with it.

And that's about as personal as this is going to get. Now onto to other stuff.

I think the best thing about this book - aside from my insane ability to relate - are the relationships. All of the characters are so stuck in each others lives in the best and worst way possible that not one of them can really make a move without affecting someone else. Cricket and Jules fight with affects Cricket's relationship with Zack, both of which affect Cricket's individual relationships with her parents. And then there's also the way Cricket interacts with the people she works with - a job Cricket only ended up getting in response to needing to be in Nantucket with Jules.

It's all kind of a great big mess that I love so very much.

Although, I sometimes feel like this is the little book that bit off more than it could chew. Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love every single subplot here, but having two different sets of parental issues, two different jobs, a best friend problem AND a boyfriend? I know it's beyond realistic that have to deal with all of these things at once, but not in 294 pages. I feel like I'd need at least another 50 pages or something to deal with all of that.

But, like, maybe I shouldn't try to convert life problems and time to pages in a novel. That seems really subjective and considering how much I loved this book even though I felt like the plot was all kind of crammed in there, I probably can't complain TOO much.

I also think it's worth noting that the whole Cricket-Jules-Zack dynamic was written flawlessly. Like, you knew what was happening was wrong but it was just so right you wanted it to happen anyways, Jules be damned. And I like how a million assumptions were made between the three. I've not only seen that happen, I've been right in the middle of it and it's just as disastrous as the book makes it seem.

Basically, there's a lot of disastrous-ness in this book that I can relate to. It sucks and it's sad, but Leila Howland portrayed the reality of it all flawlessly. And somehow managed to keep this book a great summer read. I mean, if you cry easy, MAYBE you don't want to read the beginning or ending on the beach, but the middle part is safe, I promise.

The long and short of it?

Plot: There's A LOT going on there, but it's all dealt with pretty realistically.
World Building: Have a been to Nantucket? No. But that's exactly what I always thought it would look like.
Character Development: Every single character in this book is a hot mess. Which is pretty accurate to true life, if you ask me.
Prose: I like when books are written in first person because I really get a feel for the character. I especially like it when the first person POV of said character is written really, really well. Like in this book.
Would I Recommend This Book?: Love contemporary? How about books set on the beach? You into stories about best friends who've hit a bump in the road? Vaguely forbidden romances? If you said yes to any of these questions, even if it was only the first one, you should probably read this book.

By the last 100 pages of this book I just wanted to scoop Cricket up and hide her away. [Which is a pretty strong feeling to have towards a fictional character.] Have you read this one? Did you feel the same way? Sound off in the comments below!

Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition (31)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

We all read books by amazing fantastic authors. Some of these authors don't get the kind of recognition we (the individual reader) think they deserve. Why not? Who knows. But here's my list of ten authors who deserve your attention. Maybe not because of their "I'm hilarious on Twitter" skills, but because they're ah-freaking-mazing.

1. Sangu Mandanna (The Lost Girl)

I think I've sung Sangu Mandanna's praise like a trillion times on my blog. I loved Lost Girl. It's a totally different, amazing, unique dystopian that's light on the dystopian but heavy on everything else in the most perfect way possible. 

2. Claire McFall (Ferryman)

Another book I can't shut up about. Just read it, okay? And then marvel at the brain behind it. Although, I do have to admit her Twitter skills are lacking. So, really, just admire the brain.

3. Holly Smale (Geek Girl)

Holly Smale write this quirky, cute books AND happens to be adorable in person and hilarious on Twitter. If ever you feel like you're having THE WORST DAY EVER, just stop by Holly Smale's Twitter. She'll either A) cheer you up with her spontaneous wit or B) prove to you that she's having a worse day than you'll ever have - all without making you feel bad for her. 

4. Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate Series and Etiquette & Espionage)

Talk about an author who embodies her genre - if you want to live the Steampunk life, or even just observe someone who already does, Gail Carriger's the lady to watch. Oh, also, her books are DELIGHTFUL. 

5. Shelley Coriell (Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe)

I love Chloe. So much. As such, I think we all need to throw a little love at Shelley Coriell. Immediately. Was that not enough evidence for love-throwing? I don't actually care. I'm just making demands here.

6. Rebecca Serle (When You Were Mine)

Do you love The Vampire Diaries? Gilmore Girls? What's that? You're not following Rebecca Serle? That's a mistake. She talks about these shows the way I talk about Veronica Mars. Which is a lot, considering I have a whole feature on my blog dedicated to that particular show. Oh, also, I like her book and am SUPER EXCITED to read her new one.

7. Leila Howland (Nantucket Blue)

Guys, Publisher's Weekly agrees with me on this one. So do a lot of my blogger friends. I just finished Nantucket Blue and I've got so many personal feels, I can't even. Besides, Leila's the cutest person in the world. So, like, get on that. 

8. Allen Zadoff (Boy Nobody)

Allen Zadoff is the only author on this list whose book I have not yet read. So how can he be on a list of authors who I think deserve more recognition? Well, Alan Zadoff happens to be one of the friendliest authors I've ever met. I mean, no author I've met was mean or anything, but Alan was just fantastic. So, that said, go put this book on your TBR list and start paying attention to this man.

9. Lauren Morrill (Meant to Be)

The cuteness in Meant to Be is almost too much for me. But it's not because I love cuteness. You guys know that, right? Quirk and Cute. Those should be genres and all books fitting those words should immediately be placed in my hands. I also really like the authors of quirky/cute books. Which makes my push of MORE RECOGNITION FOR LAUREN MORRILL fairly logical.

10. Jackie Morse Kessler (Riders of the Apocalype Series)

I love, love, LOVE this series. I haven't even finished it and I'm talking it up to everyone. These four short books are crazy, insane, awesome. So I have to imagine the author is as well. I also really enjoy her tweets on an informational level. Like, she's not trying to entertain me or drive me crazy. She's just talking. And I like talking. OH AND ALSO. Some of the proceeds from her books go to charity. So really, I'm not sure what you're doing still reading this post. 

Wait, are you still reading this post? If so, stop by the comments and let me know what authors you think I need to be paying more attention to - whether because their books are phenomenal or their Twitter feeds are hilarious, I don't care. I just wannna know!

Top Ten Books I Really Want to Read But Am Afraid of Not Liking (29)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I Really Want to Read But Am Afraid of Hating. A mouthful, I know, but when I saw what this week's topic was (Top Ten Most Intimidating Books), I knew this is how I'd have to take it. Because size doesn't freak me out, nor do other people's expectations. No. What freaks me out is when I get ALL EXCITED over a book for whatever reason (NOT just other people loving it) and it's just not what I wanted it to be.

So here are ten books (and 2 bonus authors) I really anticipate loving, have a hard time seeing why I WOULDN'T love them and yet still fear reading because of one reason or another.

1. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
I'm that girl who LOOOOVES fantasy. But my problem with fantasy is that I'm SUPER NITPICKY about it. And I've heard there are religious themes in this one. Which I'm ALSO really nitpicky about. So there's a lot of room for failure in my life with this book but I want to love it so much. So much. LET ME LOVE YOU BOOK. LET ME.

2. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
I have this problem. It's called meeting authors and loving them. Susan Dennard falls into this category. She is the most wonderful and I have this enormous fear of not loving her book. Which is apparently Steampunk. Another thing I love. Just so many things I love. So. Book. I is scared.

3. Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
A light, summery, fun book? Yeah, CHECK. A book about friend break ups. More things I like reading. NANTUCKET? I love vacationing spots like Nantucket. An adorable author I've met and loved? OH RIGHT AUTHOR MEETING ISSUES. Leila Howland is SO SWEET so, like, not liking her book is not an option.

4. Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
I love everything Maggie Stiefvater does. Everything. My favorite part of her books is probably the prose, which makes me feel like I could read anything she does and be super happy about it. But the plot of Scorpio Races doesn't speak to me so much. I'm like, water horses? But it's MAGGIE STIEFVATER. And I own the book. So I'll get to it. But I'm still all kinds of nervous about it all.

5. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
ANGELS? ANGELS YOU SAY? I am definitely NOT an angel fan. But, guys. PRETTY COVER. That's another thing that'll keep me circling a book even though I probably shouldn't. So I'm currently circling and we'll see if I ever land on top of it, or if I continue to keep it in my peripheral vision.

6. Taken by Erin Bowman
This isn't one of those books everyone LOVED and now I want to read. In fact, this is one of those books everyone was kind of "eh" on but I still want to love it. Is it the cover? The plot? The cover? I don't know. But I absolutely cannot take my eye off this one. Let the circling continue.

7. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
This is totally one of those books where outside influence comes into play. ALL OF MY BLOGGING FRIENDS LOVE IT but it's vampires and I'm all vampired-out. (Although I'm not sure I was ever vampired-in, so much.) But I borrowed a copy of it and I really intend to make good on my promise to read it. I'm just scared of the friend responses to my potential dislike of this book. But only a little/lot a bit.

8. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
I have serious issues with books that people tell me are going to make me cry. Not because I don't love a good ugly cry. I totally love a good ugly cry. But when it's FORETOLD that I'm GOING to have a good ugly cry, I get nervous. Like, what if I don't? Am I dead inside? Maybe if I put this book off for longer, something will magically be changed and I will be guaranteed a good ugly cry. And I'm pretty sure I just revealed to all of you just how crazy I can be. YOU'RE WELCOME.

9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
I actually just bought this one so I no longer have any excuses. If I hate this one, none of you can be mad at me. Even though I can't see how I would since: HI PARIS. But WHAT IF I FREAKING DO? I'm so rational, I swear.

10. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
I'm the kind of person who likes making friends and solidifying relationships. (Normal and healthy right?) And then, SOMETIMES, things get tough and the other person wants me to "expect less" from them* and back away from the closeness we've achieved, my brain just kind of shuts down because that makes no logical sense to me. Like, you get closer, not get close and then drift apart for no reason, right? Well, for me, the same is true with books. I didn't LOVE the first couple Dessen books, but starting from Keeping the Moon, I cozied up to her books. We got closer. Shared some stories. Giggled late into the night. But now this new book is out and I'm AFRAID (based on some of the iffy things some people have been saying) that this Dessen installation is gonna be all "EXPECT LESS, GABY." And, y'know what you guys? A girl can only really stand to hear such a terrible phrase once in her life, if at all. So. I. IS. SCARED.

*True story. My life is a YA novel. Copyright right there, kids. Copyright.

**BONUS FEARS**

11. ANYTHING NEW BY TAMORA PIERCE
I'm not gonna lie to you guys, as much as I love Tamora Pierce (and I think you all know I do), I've only read the first 3 Tortall quartets and the first of the Trickster books. I'm terrified of reading the rest. I mean, I didn't LOVE the Emelan books and WHAT IF I don't like the end of Trickster or Bekah Cooper? WHAT IF? MISERY. FEAR. FALLS INTO SELF.

12. ALL OF THE AMY REED BOOKS
I like contemporary. But I'm always very wary of issue books. But everyone likes these. AND these are more covers that just scream: "READ ME, READ ME." I like the minimalist look sometimes, y'know?

Top Ten Beach Reads (26)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week the logging world is all about the beach reads, which is perfect because summer's coming and it's time to get the stack of beach reads ready for... well... THE BEACH. I hope you already have plans to get out and see the stretch of sand nearest you. But of course, if you're landlocked, these reads are also pool/park/god I feel lazy and don't want to think too much reads. So pay attention and start compiling those stacks of summer books!

1. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

A cute, short, vaguely angsty book you can DEFNITELY read in one afternoon on the beach. I really can't think of a single reason not to bring this one with you on an afternoon out. (My Review)

2. This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

So my logic here is that the beach is kind of what happy looks like in the summer and that's the title of this books so DING DING DING we havea winner! Not to mention this book takes place in the summer and highlights the importance of ice cream in the summer. (My Review)

3. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Pretty cover plus romps to England plus cute boy plus silly OCD protagonist = beach giggles. (Even though England doesn't actually scream beach in any by shape or form.) But yeah, London weather or not, take this one with you to the beach, okay?

4. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

This book is wonderful. It is a delicious nerdy romp of amazingness that may or may not make you cry a little. But tears aside, this incredibly meaningful book has this aspect of levity that is so totally read-in-one-sitting-able that it might be JUST what your (my?) day out at the beach needs. 

5. Let it Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle

I recognize that this book is actually a Christmas book with lots and lots of snow by it's a fun, adorable romp that might cool you down just a bit at the beach. Not to mention, you get 3 fantastic authors for the price of one (as well as 3 kisstastic couples for that same low price!).

HEY NOW SURPRISE CHANGE OF PACE! 

(Because when do I ever just write a list?)

So while writing this post, I spontaneously decided to make the last 5 books of this list the 5 books I've stacked up to be MY summer/beach reads this summer. Because, like, obviously you all wanna know what that looks like (it's fine, I'm only a little narcissistic). 

6. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

Doctor Who references? Where? What? Can I haz it? Oh I WILL haz it. By the pool, because that's where I would take the Doctor (Just Kidding, I'd take the Doctor with me wherever, whenever - because we're meant to be together. Thanks to Shakira for embodying my relationship with 10).

7. All I Need by Susane Colasanti

All of Susane Colasanti's books are wonderful contemporary reads that make for excellent beach books. It's one in particularly is quite short - a book you could definitely finish in an afternoon while taking in some sun at the beach. Besides guys, have you seen this cover? The models are ON the beach! 

8. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Another cover where the model is on a beach. But that aside, have you EVER met a Sarah Dessen book that you couldn't bring to the beach with you? And this is NOT just because a lot of her books take place on the beach - I mean, she even made up her own beach town!

9. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

I honestly believe roadtrip books are amazing summer beach reads. Ad not just because books about roadtrips obviously must happen during the summer when involving teens if they want to be contemporary and realistic because: HI school. I mean, I guess a spring/winter break road trip could work, but summer's definitely the best. 

10. Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham 

Roadtrip, roadtrip, roadtrip!! And not only is this a roadtrip book (see my beach-reading excitement or roadtrip books in the entry above), its ALSO a concert/ex-friends getting back together book. These are all things I love. Especially things I love to read about over the course of beach day. 

11. Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Another shortie, this one about Nantucket, which is one of those places like Cape Cod and Marhta's Vineyard and the Hamptons that walks around oozing a beachbeachbeachbeach vibe. So, obviously, a book written in said location would be worthy of beach read status.

Yeah. That's 6, not 5, but I have to keep you guys guessing, right? (Also: I COULDN'T DECIDE WHICH BOOK TO CUT). Anyway, it's okay because I already have all 6 of these books and they really are all stacked and ready to go!

TELL ME: Which of these have you read? Which are in your stack to read at the beach this summer? In the event that all 11 of these books fit into NEITHER of the categories I just listed, you should probably consider FIXING THAT. Y'know. If you trust me and all that jazz. Oh, and be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know just how silly/absurd I'm being this week!