Review: What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: What I Thought Was True
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Release Date: April 15th, 2014
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 416
Source: eARC from Publisher
(I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest
review. No favors were exchanged, my opinions are my own.)
First Reaction: I felt kind of confused and let down by this book... which makes me really sad because it was one of my big buzz books for 2014.

Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and house cleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

[Summary Source: Goodreads]

Top Ten Books That Made Me Swoon (45)

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

I liked what I did last week with the covers that linked to Goodreads and no text. My reasons for why books made me swoon (like with the crying) are very personal and individual to me and and, well, trying to verbalize and share them will probably turn me into an incoherent mess and no one wants to see that. Also, I'd had to put any spoilers out there in the world, and crying and swoons are two categories where spoilers could accidentally fall out of my mouth and into the world and I do not want that. It is bad for blogging business. So here are ten books I absolutely loved that made me swoon. And I hope that you haven't read all of them so you can pick one of them up this Valentines Day, read it, swoon, and totally get where I'm coming from!

Top Ten 2014 STANDALONE Releases I'm Dying to Read (40)

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

So a couple weeks ago Top Ten Tuesday asked me to make a list of Top Ten "Shut Up and Give it to Me Now" Sequels. Obviously, I did that. (And I thought up 10 really REALLY AMAZING books for that list.) The problem now is that most of the books on that list come out in 2014 and I'd hate to be repetitive. Therefore, if you want to know what 2014 SEQUEL releases I'm freaking out over, please click that link (I'll also have a recap list at the bottom of this post, so you can also scroll down). But for RIGHT NOW I'm gonna do a 2014 STANDALONE Release list.

Also, for the record, these are listed by release date. So.

Top Ten Books Hollywood Should Really Capitalize On (30)

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

I have a lot of feelings regarding film adaptations. There are a lot out there that I hate, a couple I like and a whole bunch I'm just kind WHATEVS about. So instead of trimming a list of hates or wracking my brain for a bunch of likes, I'm just going to make a list of books I wish they (AKA Hollywood) would turn into movies (or TV shows). Of course, it goes without saying that these adaptations would be flawless pieces of brilliance. So keep that in mind as you peruse my list.

PS: Sorry there are no graphics of any kind this week. My brain is just too tired.

1. ALL OF THE TAMORA PIERCE
Set in Tortall, of course. Gillian and I have discussed this and we've decided Tortall as a whole would make a fantastic set of mini-series/kickbutt TV series on the BBC. I mean, Merlin? Success. Robin Hood? Yeah, he got some limelight. WHY. NOT. TORTALL?

2. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
OKAY. I know they're doing this already, but I still want it and I want it to be GOOD. So it makes the list. (My Review)

3. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
What's that? Another kickbutt fantasy book I'd like to be seen made into a movie? WE ALL SAW LORD OF THE RINGS. WE KNOW YOU CAN HANDLE THE CHALLENGE, HOLLYWOOD. (My Review)

4. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Seriously. Dystopian superheroes. This has MOVIE written all over it. Someone get on that, please. (My Review)

5. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
TELL ME this wouldn't be amazing. I mean, sci-fi, which is amazing on the big screen, and then throw in some Jane Austen? I don't even want to talk to you right now if you don't want to see Kai and Elliot smolder on screen. (My Review)

6. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
My brain thinks this would make an EXCELLENT indie drama. There'll be hipster music and a pair of semi-famous actors. It'll be kind of like Remember Me - that movie with Rob Pattinson that made me cry like a small child. (My Review)

7. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
If The Clique can be made into a movie, it's almost an INJUSTICE for Jessica Darling not to get some screen time - at least as a Carrie Diaries-esque show on the CW. (My Review)

8. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
SO MUCH CABOT HAS BEEN ADAPTED. WHY NOT JESSE THE HOT GHOST? Seriously. This would be an amazing TV show. I would watch it always.

9. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I could draw the comparison to Game of Thrones or I could just say: THERE IS SO MUCH MATERIAL HERE. SO PERFECT FOR TV. TV, WHY ARE YOU PASSING UP THIS OPPORTUNITY? (My Review)

10. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This would be another great indie film. I don't even have caps locks for how good this indie film would be. So can it please just be made already so I can watch it?

There are a ton of other books I'd LOVE to see in movie/TV form, but these are the ones I think would probably work if given a chance. But what do you think? Am I completely crazy? Would these all suck? Let me know in the comments below!

Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2013 (28)

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

This week's topic is Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2013. I've read 46 books this year, according to Goodreads, and while there are A LOT of books (*cough* all 6 Tamora Pierce books I've re-read to mention a few *cough*), here are the 10 that I think you all should make sure you get to in a very timely fashion. And when I say 10, I mean 12, because I've put two second-book-in-trilogy books on this list and OBVIOUSLY you need to read the first one first. Obviously.

1. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina was my first book read in 2013 and it did NOT disappoint. I loved the dragons, the twists, I loved the writing... just about everything. I hadn’t read a dragon or high fantasy book in a very long time (mostly from fear that nothing would ever match up to Tamora Pierce - whom I love) and this book totally destroyed any and all fears I had about recent high fantasy publications ruining one of my favorite genres. And, just in case you’re having some trouble starting this one, skip the prologue and come back to it at the end. It’ll make more sense once you’re done. Oh, and be PATIENT. It’s worth it. (My Review)

2. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Even though I read this book when my windows were still frosted over this past winter, I could still feel the heat. The romance, the twists, the family relationships - even the cover is enough to make a person want to read this book. Seriously. Try to say no to that cover - especially now that we’ve made it to the summer months. I’d say it’s almost impossible to deny this potential beach read. And y’know, even if you curl up inside with the AC blasting while you make your way through this one, you’ll probably feel the summer humidity just like I did. And that’s not just the kisstastic relationship in the book doing the talking. (My Review)

3. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

I picked Unravel Me for this list instead of Shatter Me in hopes that my nomination of this book will lead you to go read Shatter Me first so you can read this one (if you haven’t already devoured this series). That way I secretly/sneakily put two books in one item on this list. Why? Because this is one of those series that really makes the dystopian genre and trilogies in general look good. Not to mention I love the strike-throughs. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I sometimes like knowing there’s something different out there for me to dig into. It’s oddly comforting - even this book is so very much NOT comforting in any way. Also? SUPERHEROES. (My Review)

4. Ferryman by Claire McFall

Is it possible for a book to not really have a genre? If it is, this book really don’t have one. I would say it’s supernatural, if I had to pick one - maybe paranormal? But not really. If anything, it’s a contemporary book put in a supernatural/paranormal/Greek Mythology context. And, whatever genre you’d place it in, it’s wonderful. Probably one of my most favorite reads AND reviews of the year. Claire McFall might be a small time Scottish writer, but I definitely hope she A) gets the recognition she deserves and B) keeps writing! (My Review)

5. The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna

This book is just so different from your usual dystopian - probably because the book doesn’t dwell on the dystopian. Instead it fleshes out the dystopian just enough and then focuses on the danger, the philosophical issues and the relationships between the characters. But, for once, the philosophical part is my favorite (that’s NOT usually the case for me) because the book asks you to consider what it is to be human and that’s something we should all consider on occasion. (My Review)

6. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

My favorite fantasy read of the year, Graceling is the book I should have read 5 years ago but didn’t. And with the number of times I picked it up, put it down and picked it up again? I’m honestly ashamed of past Gaby. This book is so fantastically fantastic. All of the everything is just so perfect and well paced. Seriously. If I could time travel, I would go back in disguise (y’know, as to not create a paradox or anything crazy like that - thanks for the time travel education, Doctor Who) and hand myself this book. Because 5-years-ago Gaby REALLY should have read this book. And so should all of you. (My Review)

7. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Everything in this book is absolutely made of awesome and I believe everyone should read it - intolerance for slow/confusing beginnings be damned. It’s just so beautifully layered and complicated that no one should miss it, no matter what the excuse. FURTHERMORE, Melina Marchetta is a GENIUS because EVERYTHING in this book is in it for a reason. There are no extra words or unnecessary plot devices. This author is NOT wasting your time, nor does she think you anything less than clever. (My Review)

8. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Yet another series where I mention the second in order to coerce you to read the first. Through the Ever Night is just so touching, wonderful and heroic. I finish the book and I feel like all of the characters are real people I should be able to spend my days with. Even more so, the relationships between these oh-so-real characters are so sigh-worthy that I could read about them all day and be perfectly content. Oh. Also. The action, danger and dystopia-ness in this serious is pretty crazy and awesome too. (My Review)

9. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Sometimes I read retelling and my reaction is: “That was great. I could go for another.” But at the end of this book I couldn’t even think of what I would read next because my mind was still on this book. And it wasn’t that I wanted to have more time with these characters. I actually felt fairly completely at the end of it all. I just needed to take a deep breath and process the fact that I’d finished such a brilliant book. I just needed to savor the ending and not rush past it to the next book in my stack.

10. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Sometimes, when I get to the end of a book, I tear through the last however many pages. It’s like a freefall into an ending that you know isn’t going to give you exactly what you wanted - but what you needed instead. But instead of getting upset at the book for not give you what you wanted (as opposed to the all knowing “needed”), you just close the book and sigh. Because it was THAT GOOD.

*ADDENDUM BECAUSE I'M FOOLISH AND I FORGOT*

11. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer 

Another second-book-in-series I have to put up here. I liked Cinder and LOVED Scarlet. I think it's because there were more characters to work with - the shifting POV was done PERFECTLY - but for whatever reason this fairytale retelling was in no way obvious. And even if the storyline WAS obvious, I DID NOT want it to happen that way. So. Go pick up this series RIGHT NOW because it's totally a new favorite of mine. (My Review)

Have you read any of these? This year? Last year? Any year? If you have, did you love? If you haven't, DO YOU WANT TO? Talk to me in the comments below!

Top Ten Favorite Siblings (24)

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

I thought about this A LOT and realized there are tons of siblings in a lot of the books I read. Some are related to the protagonist, others are a pair/group of siblings in a story. Either way, these relationships play seriously awesome roles in my books so here's a list of my favorites.

1. Thom & Alanna of Trebond from Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness Series

This entire series would not have taken place if not for Thom. Like, Alanna would have NEVER gone to the palace to become a knight if he hadn't agreed to swap places with her. So, thanks Thom, because without you I would have no lady knight role model.

2. The Weasley Brood from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter

Okay, we ALL know I have a lot of problems with the way this series ended, but I will say the bonds between this set of children is wonderful. Even when they fight they still love each other and I can't get enough of that. Obviously my favorite of the lot are Fred and George, so you can all understand why I'm crying right now.

3. The Garrett Kids from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Even Sam know how great this family is. I love how they all take care of each other. It's just so sweet. I would definitely want to be apart of that myself.

4. Narnie and Webb from Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

We don't see a lot of these two together in the books but you could just TELL how much they loved each other from the way Narnie takes care of her brother's daughter. Not to mention Hannah totally makes it clear how much she loved her brother, so yeah. Definitely a pair of siblings worthy of this list.

5. Katniss and Prim from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games Series

I feel the need to cry big time when I think of this sibling relationship. 

Katniss.

Me.

6. Mia and Teddy Hall from If I Stay/Where She Went by Gayle Forman

OKAY I KNOW we really don't see much of Teddy at all, but the way Mia reacts to what happens to him is so gut wrenching. She loved him SO MUCH and I just can't. 

7. Rhine and Rowan from Lauren DeStefano's The Chemical Garden Trilogy

One of the major plots for this series is Rhine's drive to get back to her brother, Rowan. She misses him so much she'd basically move heaven and earth to get back to him. And yo, their reunion (because, please, that was gonna happen) is amazingly emotional.

8. Adam and James from Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me Series

How much did you all freak out when you found out about James? I know I did. I love their brotherly bond. And I love James in general. Every time I talk about this series I tell everyone that if anything bad happens to James I will never forgive Tahereh Mafi. So. Y'know. What yo' self Tahereh Mafi.

9. Noah, Jacob and Tyler from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

THE THINGS NOAH WILL DO FOR HIS BROTHERS. Ugh. That whole situation totally broke my heart. I love the three of those boys so much and I want ONLY GOOD THINGS for them. 

10. The McGowan Boys from Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian

It appears as though I really like broods of boys (see: Weasley Boys at the top of this list). This book's an oldie that I enjoy re-reading whenever I need a bit of fun and these boys, despite all their absurdities and arguments, never fail to bring the fun. Oh, and they really care about each other, which is NICE.

**BONUS**

11. Perry and Talon from Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky Series

Okay, technically Talon is Perry's nephew but I'm sorry. They relationship is amazing - way better than Perry's relationship with his brother, Vale - and I couldn't help but throw it in here. 

Can you guys think of any other sibling relationships you adore? Let me know in the comments below!

Top Ten Book Boyfriends (17)

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

I've already done a discussion post on Book Boyfriends back just after Valentine's Day. But, y'know, I love my book boyfriends, so I'll give it another go with some help from my old list and Chris Evans.

Me too, attractive man who plays all the superheroes. Me too.

1. Remus Lupin from Harry Potter  by J.K. Rowling
Remus is actually my Book Husband, as previously mentioned. He's clever, loyal, composed AND mischievous - among other things. And he's all of the adorable. I just want to huggles him forever. Please excuse me while my brain makes that a reality. *sigh*

2. Mal from Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo
He's the wonderful best friend. Who doesn't want the wonderful best friend (who's actually good looking) to actually return his best friends feelings? I mean, there are so many YA books with that premise and it's not because it's a BAD premise (although it might not actually happen so much in real life).

3. Jesse from The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
*swoons* Jesse. Oh Jesse. Sweep me off my feet as a ghost or a human, I don't even care. *swoons again* He's just so wonderful. And caring. And sweet. And idiotic the best of boyish ways.

4. Owen from Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
He's the strong stoic time I just want to curl up next to. And he's got some great tunes, which I like.

5. Peeta from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
GUYS. HE BAKES. I WANT A MAN WHO CAN BAKE. Please. And who loves me as much as Peeta loves Katniss. Sometimes I just want to punch that girl in the face for not understanding how awesome Peeta is until it's TOO LATE.

6. Duncan from Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
*sigh* Duncan. I just want to scoop him up and snuggle him forever. He's just so sweet and who doesn't love a Mr. Fix-It (even if he is a little broken himself).

7. Graham Larkin from This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
HE HAS A PIG NAMED WILBUR. I don't understand why I would need any other reason to love him. I mean, he's also really thoughtful and  knows how to make a girl happy, but mostly it's the pig. Named WILBUR. Please. Let's all just re-read Charlotte's Web and call this adorable.

8. Kenji from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Adam, Warner - WHO CARES. I mean, no, I like them, but I would never date either of them. But I would snuggle up to Kenji. I would also be cool with just being friends. What's I'm SAYING is: I LOVE KENJI. I just want him in my life, y'know? I think I'd be a better person for t.

9. Jase from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
DEAR GOD IS THAT BOY SOMETHING. Please I would like to have one of him for myself. He's just so sweet and caring and loving. And you can see that in the way he behaves with Samantha but also in the way he behaves with his family, which I REALLY LIKE.

10. Len from When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
He's that kid who was always kind of strange and then grew up to be kind of strange and maybe a little bit mean but really there's a lot more there, y'know? You just have to get out of your head for three seconds and see it. Because it's there. And he is QUITE lovely.

I don't know if you guys can tell, but MOSTLY I'm into the slightly more quiet type who's just wonderful once you really get to know them. It's one of those yin-yang things. I'm loud and boisterous and excitable and I could use someone a little more level-headed to keep me from shenanigans. Not that I get myself into trouble, per-say, but, well, I can. Sometimes.

Oh. And before you go:

*Sigh* Channing. Some people think your face is weird. I do not.

ANYWAY. I love a good book boyfriend, so be sure to tell me who YOU'RE making googly eyes at this week. And if you like some of the same ones as me... well... tough luck they're MIIIIINE. At least in my head they are. So shhhh.

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Release Date: June 14th, 2012
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers
Page Count: 394
Source: Purchased
Rating: ★★★★☆

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them... until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

[Summary Source: Goodreads]

THE REVIEW

Oh, book. You're that awkward friend in the group I think is really nice but don't have anything to do with until a year or so into whatever social setting we've found ourselves in, when I find out you're AWESOME and then we're best friends forever.

Let's break this down: 

The basic plot is as follows: Samantha's this uptight chick who watches her neighbors in a vaguely creepy fashion until one day she's pulled deep into the madness. I'm not entirely sure why Jase never approached Samantha before that point, years after the Garretts first moved in next door, but I can't say I'm unhappy they FINALLY met because what ensues is a slew of incredible life changing events, both good and bad.

Just to talk about the pacing and plot of the book for a sec: The first, oh, I don't know, 250 pages of this one are pretty slow. I didn't dislike said slowness. A semi-functional, healthy relationship is wonderful to read about, if not a little boring (let's face it, we all thrive on the drama).

But when this book picks up, man does it pick up. I did not even for a second see said twist coming and when it hit me, I was like !!!!!!!!!!!! times a million. I was totally gutted and it wasn't until the very last page with the shaky resolution that I was able to breath again. I think I occasionally forget what REALLY feeling a book is like until it smacks me in the face and I'm just like YESYESYES. And then it all washes away and I have to wait until the next OMFG book comes around to remember again. There's no formula. I can't tell you how it happens. But it's phenomenal and terrible when it hits you, y'know? So I guess the slowness at the start of the book is vaguely forgivable based on the amazingness of the end of this book.

Feels about the plot aside, I'm into Samantha and Jase. They're super cute together and apart. Not to mention Jase deserves all of the hearts. And I adore all of the Garretts and Tim, who make up this delightful supporting cast that not only prop up Jase and Samantha but also all lean against each other in such a delightful way. I'm also really into the Nan plot point. She's the bad best friend with a twist. Which is great because I'm sick of the bad best friend just being bad for the sake of plot point. Nan really represents the fact that people DO drift and that BFFs aren't necessarily always going to BFFs and that's okay. You don't always get closure. Sometimes things just have to end. As for Samantha's mom - she's not just the terrible, awful mom. It's the same way Nan's not just the typical bad best friend. They both have more depth than that, which lends the book additional amazingness.

As for the prose, I think because of how slow the beginning of this book was for me, I sometimes felt like the words were a little clumsy. Like, the flow wasn't quite there. But it was very true to Samantha and Jase's teen-ness. So even though it wasn't how I wanted it, it also wasn't not how I wanted it. Does that make sense? I hope it does, because I have no idea how else to phrase it.

Anyway, I totally adore this book. It had all of the feels, if not all of the pacing and flow-y-ness. It's kind of like how I love The Avengers movie not for the first hour of that movie, but for the last hour of it. The beginning of both My Life Next Door and The Avengers try so hard to explain stuff, and in both cases it's well done, but it's not until THINGS START TO HAPPEN that I'm all like, THIS IS GREAT, TELL ME MORE. That being said, I saw The Avengers twice in theaters and maybe 4 other times after that. So, that bodes well for my future with this book, I would say.

The long and short of it?

Plot: Not sure I get why Samantha and Jase never hooked up before, but I'm ALSO not sure I care.
World Building: A lovely take on a very understated and totally wonderful Romeo and Juliet type story.
Character Development: Love everyone. They all go through this gradual, lovely transition. Even Jase, who's kind of my own personal Boy Wonder.
Prose: A little stiff, but not too problematic.
Would I Recommend This Book?: If you like contemporary with all the feels, this book is SO definitely for you.

Tell me, would you rather be a Garrett or a Reed? And for the really tough question: Who do you love more, Tim or Jase? I know I make it sound like I love Jase more, but I'm not even sure that's true. Be sure to let me know about all of your feels in the comments below!

Bout of Books 6.0: Goals

   

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books 6.0 team

This is my first ever week-long read-a-thon. There are going to be challenges and Twitter chats and prizes and lots of books and I'M SO EXCITED because I love all of these things. So very many thanks to Amanda and Kelly for hosting. Monday really can't come soon enough!

MY GOALS

• Read at least 6 books from the list below.
• Participate in at least 1 Twitter chat.
• Network with bloggers and make awesome new friends.
• Participate in at least 3 challenges.

BOOKS TO CHOOSE FROM

    

       

1. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman

2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

3. You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis

4. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

5. Crewel by Gennifer Albin

6. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

7. Fever by Lauren DeStefano

8. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Are you taking part in Bout of Books 6.0? What are your goals? Sound off in the comments below!