interesting stuff this week, let's see what we've got!
The Second Mrs. Gioconda
by E. L. Konigsburg
Summary:
Could the complex ways these three lives intertwine hold the key to a historical riddle as enigmatic as the Mona Lisa's smile--why Leonardo da Vinci devoted three years to a painting of the second wife of an unimportant merchant when all the nobles of Europe were begging for a portrait by his hand?
Thoughts:
Sounds interesting, but I've said that before about Konigsburg's books and have been disappointed. The only one of his that I've *really* loved was Silent to the Bone, but we'll see.
Story of a Girl
by Sara Zarr
Summary:
I was thirteen when my dad caught me with Tommy Webber in the back of Tommy's Buick, parked next to the old Chart House down in Montara at eleven o'clock on a Tuesday night. Tommy was seventeen and the supposed friend of my brother, Darren.
I didn't love him.
I'm not sure I even liked him.
In a moment, Deanna Lambert's teenage life is changed forever. Struggling to overcome the lasting repercussions and the stifling role of "school slut", Deanna longs to escape a life defined by her past. With subtle grace, complicated wisdom, and striking emotion, Story of a Girl reminds us of our human capacity for resilience, epiphany, and redemption.
Thoughts:
Sounds like it either has the makings for one of my favorite books, or one of my least favorite. I despised the plot of Sweethearts, but I loved the writing, so we'll see how this one goes. I'm seriously hoping I love it.
Leftovers
by Laura Wiess
Summary:
Blair and Ardith are best friends who have commited an unforgivable act in the name of love and justice. But in order to understand what could drive two young women to such extreme measures, first you'll have to understand why. You'll have to listen as they describe parents who are alternately absent and smothering, classmates who mock and shun anyone different, and young men who are allowed to hurt and dominate without consequence. You will have to learn what it's like to be a teenage girl who locks her bedroom door at night, who has been written off by the adults around her as damanged goods. A girl who has no one to trust except the one person she's forbidden to see. You'll have to understand what it's really like to be forgotten and abandoned in America today.
Are you ready?
Thoughts:
Now this sounds like MY kind of book. Drama, but the realistic kind, the kind that happens to millions of kids every day and is never revealed. I'm excited.
The Nature of Jade
written by Deb Caletti
Summary:
Jade DeLuna is too young to die. She knows this, and yet she can't quite believe it, especially when the terrifying thoughts, loss of breath, and dizzy feelings come. Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, she's trying her best to stay calm, and visting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. That's why Jade keeps the live zoo webcam on in her room, and that's where she first sees the boy in the red jacket. A boy who stops to watch the elepahants. A boy carrying a baby.
His name is Sebastian, and he is raising his son alone. Jade is drawn into Sebastian's cozy life with his son and his activist grandmother on their Seattle houseboat, and before she knows it, she's in love. With this boy who has lived through harder times than anyone she knows. This boy with a past.
Jade knows the situation is beyond complicated, but she hasn't felt this safe in a long time. She owes it all to Sebastian, her boy with the great heart. Her boy who is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that will force Jade to decide between what is right, and what feels right.
Thoughts:
I've read this before, but now I have my own copy. You'll get to hear my thoughts soon, I suppose :)
The Lexicon
written by Steve Vander Ark
Summary:
Based on the world renowned Harry Potter Lexicon website, which attracts 25 million visitors each year, Steve Vander Ark's definitive encyclopedia is a popular and scholarly work.
Thoughts:
It's the one I've been waiting for! Here we go, I just know this will be one of the best.
Paperquake
by Kathyrn Reiss
Summary:
Violet's paralyzing fear of the earthquakes that are rocking the San Francisco Bay Area makes it difficult for her to overcome her "baby" image. But thins change when her family renovates an old building. While she helps her sisters sweep up, an aftershock dislodges a letter addressed to Baby V from 1906--and Violet is certain the message in the letter is intended for her. More mysterious writings from the past tumble into her hands with each quake. The girls try to unravel the mystery behind these supernatural communiques, but as ever more frequent earthquakes rattle their own lives, they realize their time may be running out...
Thoughts:
Oh, I love Kathryn Reiss. I've read this book years ago, but I don't remember what happens. She writes the greatest twisted historical mysteries, though, so I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
The Truth About Forever
by Sarah Dessen
Summary:
A long, hot summer. That's what sixteen-year-old Macy Queen has to look forward to. Her boyfriend, Jason, is going away to Brain Camp. She's stuck with a dull-as-dishwater job at the library. And all of her free time promises to be spent studying for the SATs or grieving silently with her mother over her father's death.
But everything changes when Macy is corralled into helping out at one of her mother's open house events, and she meets the chaotic Wish Catering crew. Before long, Macy ditches her library job and joins up with the Wish gang; bighearted Delia; quiet, introspective Monica, and fun-loving, fashion-conscious Kristy. But best of all, there's Wes--artistic, insightful, and understanding Wes--who gets Macy to look at life in a whole new way...
Thoughts:
I've obviously read this one, but I FINALLY own my own copy. Yay :)
Did you get anything awesome in the mail this week?
The Second Mrs. Gioconda
by E. L. Konigsburg
Summary:
Could the complex ways these three lives intertwine hold the key to a historical riddle as enigmatic as the Mona Lisa's smile--why Leonardo da Vinci devoted three years to a painting of the second wife of an unimportant merchant when all the nobles of Europe were begging for a portrait by his hand?
Thoughts:
Sounds interesting, but I've said that before about Konigsburg's books and have been disappointed. The only one of his that I've *really* loved was Silent to the Bone, but we'll see.
Story of a Girl
by Sara Zarr
Summary:
I was thirteen when my dad caught me with Tommy Webber in the back of Tommy's Buick, parked next to the old Chart House down in Montara at eleven o'clock on a Tuesday night. Tommy was seventeen and the supposed friend of my brother, Darren.
I didn't love him.
I'm not sure I even liked him.
In a moment, Deanna Lambert's teenage life is changed forever. Struggling to overcome the lasting repercussions and the stifling role of "school slut", Deanna longs to escape a life defined by her past. With subtle grace, complicated wisdom, and striking emotion, Story of a Girl reminds us of our human capacity for resilience, epiphany, and redemption.
Thoughts:
Sounds like it either has the makings for one of my favorite books, or one of my least favorite. I despised the plot of Sweethearts, but I loved the writing, so we'll see how this one goes. I'm seriously hoping I love it.
Leftovers
by Laura Wiess
Summary:
Blair and Ardith are best friends who have commited an unforgivable act in the name of love and justice. But in order to understand what could drive two young women to such extreme measures, first you'll have to understand why. You'll have to listen as they describe parents who are alternately absent and smothering, classmates who mock and shun anyone different, and young men who are allowed to hurt and dominate without consequence. You will have to learn what it's like to be a teenage girl who locks her bedroom door at night, who has been written off by the adults around her as damanged goods. A girl who has no one to trust except the one person she's forbidden to see. You'll have to understand what it's really like to be forgotten and abandoned in America today.
Are you ready?
Thoughts:
Now this sounds like MY kind of book. Drama, but the realistic kind, the kind that happens to millions of kids every day and is never revealed. I'm excited.
The Nature of Jade
written by Deb Caletti
Summary:
Jade DeLuna is too young to die. She knows this, and yet she can't quite believe it, especially when the terrifying thoughts, loss of breath, and dizzy feelings come. Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, she's trying her best to stay calm, and visting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. That's why Jade keeps the live zoo webcam on in her room, and that's where she first sees the boy in the red jacket. A boy who stops to watch the elepahants. A boy carrying a baby.
His name is Sebastian, and he is raising his son alone. Jade is drawn into Sebastian's cozy life with his son and his activist grandmother on their Seattle houseboat, and before she knows it, she's in love. With this boy who has lived through harder times than anyone she knows. This boy with a past.
Jade knows the situation is beyond complicated, but she hasn't felt this safe in a long time. She owes it all to Sebastian, her boy with the great heart. Her boy who is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that will force Jade to decide between what is right, and what feels right.
Thoughts:
I've read this before, but now I have my own copy. You'll get to hear my thoughts soon, I suppose :)
The Lexicon
written by Steve Vander Ark
Summary:
Based on the world renowned Harry Potter Lexicon website, which attracts 25 million visitors each year, Steve Vander Ark's definitive encyclopedia is a popular and scholarly work.
Thoughts:
It's the one I've been waiting for! Here we go, I just know this will be one of the best.
Paperquake
by Kathyrn Reiss
Summary:
Violet's paralyzing fear of the earthquakes that are rocking the San Francisco Bay Area makes it difficult for her to overcome her "baby" image. But thins change when her family renovates an old building. While she helps her sisters sweep up, an aftershock dislodges a letter addressed to Baby V from 1906--and Violet is certain the message in the letter is intended for her. More mysterious writings from the past tumble into her hands with each quake. The girls try to unravel the mystery behind these supernatural communiques, but as ever more frequent earthquakes rattle their own lives, they realize their time may be running out...
Thoughts:
Oh, I love Kathryn Reiss. I've read this book years ago, but I don't remember what happens. She writes the greatest twisted historical mysteries, though, so I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
The Truth About Forever
by Sarah Dessen
Summary:
A long, hot summer. That's what sixteen-year-old Macy Queen has to look forward to. Her boyfriend, Jason, is going away to Brain Camp. She's stuck with a dull-as-dishwater job at the library. And all of her free time promises to be spent studying for the SATs or grieving silently with her mother over her father's death.
But everything changes when Macy is corralled into helping out at one of her mother's open house events, and she meets the chaotic Wish Catering crew. Before long, Macy ditches her library job and joins up with the Wish gang; bighearted Delia; quiet, introspective Monica, and fun-loving, fashion-conscious Kristy. But best of all, there's Wes--artistic, insightful, and understanding Wes--who gets Macy to look at life in a whole new way...
Thoughts:
I've obviously read this one, but I FINALLY own my own copy. Yay :)
Did you get anything awesome in the mail this week?
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