In My Mailbox (#6)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that talks about books that have been bought, swapped, received for review, or borrowed from the library. It is hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren.

This week was Spring Break (!!!) so I decided I could add to my TBR pile, so I took a trip to the library.

I got from the library:

Chasing Tail Lights by Patrick Jones
Hourglass by Claudia Gray
Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith
Fallen by Lauren Kate
You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay
Nothing by Janne Teller

I also got a new bag from my mom - I think it's fantastic!

This is what has been going on for me . . . feel free to leave suggestions for what should move to the top of the stack!

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

author’s website: C. J. Omololu
release date: February 2, 2010
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Realistic Fiction
length: 224 pages
overall rating: 4 stars

*summary* (from author’s website)
Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.
For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to—nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal. When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children—they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue. With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

*my review*
“Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.” This first line provides a beautiful starting point to the reality of this story. In Lucy’s reality, the surface looks fine, but beneath that very thin and fragile surface lies a completely chaotic life in which nothing can be thrown away. Lucy’s mother has hoarded every minute thing that has ever played even a minor role in their lives. Their house has piles and piles and piles of junk that Lucy’s mother can’t seem to part with. This reality isn’t something Lucy likes, but she has found ways to live with it, especially since she knows she only has a few years before she can leave it behind

As I read this story, there was a change in my perception of logical responses. Logically, the first thing you do in an emergency is call the police. Except . . . if Lucy had called the police right away, it would have changed the surface picture that everyone knew. It would have changed people’s perceptions and opinions, and it could have changed Lucy’s few friendships. After reading the book and understanding Lucy, her logic seemed to make sense, and even more, you find that she was incredibly brave!

While this book spans less than 24 hours, memories that Lucy has while cleaning up the house paint a picture of her life growing up. There is a lot of depth created in this character because of the things she has had to deal with growing up. This was an intense topic with a genuine feel. It was well written and difficult to put down.

*short and snappy*
writing: smooth – the story is told with flashbacks, memories, and current plots woven together in a way that makes sense
plot: keeps you guessing – just when you think you know what she’ll do, Lucy surprises you!
characters: Lucy has incredible depth. The other characters are developed enough to play their roles, but this is really a story about Lucy.
judging by the cover: great cover! The cover shows the difference in what is inside the window and outside without being too obvious

In My Mailbox (#5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that talks about books that have been bought, swapped, received for review, or borrowed from the library. It is hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren.

This was the week of the Debut Author novels! I put several debut novels on hold at the library, and they all came in this week!
I got from the library:
The Mark by Jan Nadol (read already – review coming soon!)
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu (read already – review coming soon!)

I have also been catching up on reviews! Check them out:
Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber
The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard
Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

This is what has been going on for me . . . feel free to leave suggestions for what should move to the top of the stack!

The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

author’s website: Patrick Jones
release date: September 1, 2009
appeals to: Young Adult (high school)
genre: Contemporary/Urban Fantasy
length: 272 pages
overall rating: 4.5 stars

*the inside flap*
Between hookups, makeups, and breakups, there isn’t a day at Lapeer High School without drama turning to trauma turning to tears.
And tears are just as essential as air for Cassandra Gray. She and her family are vampires who thirst for human sorrow, and the energy that they soak in from a good crying jag can keep them fueled up for days.
Anytime a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, Cass is there. Anytime a boyfriend gets too secure, she breaks his heart. Cass’s work as a school peer counselor and hospital volunteer also provides the perfect cover and access to her family’s energy source. But she is getting tired of all the lies and manipulation – especially now that she’s actually fallen in love with a human. Can she bear to betray her family for a chance at happiness and a life lived with joy?

*my review*
I began this book intrigued by the concept of a vampire that feeds on tears instead of blood. And as I read, it made more and more sense to me! In most stories, vampires feed on blood, which is what keeps people alive, but really, aren’t our emotions what make us human? As Cassandra collects tears from her fellow students, you begin to understand that those tears represent so many of the emotions and feelings that actually make people who they are. There is a lot of depth to Cass’s character, mostly because of the conflict she experiences throughout the book. That conflict is fascinating! Cass knows that she has a duty to fulfill for her family, but as you read, you see her start to develop feelings of both love and anger –two very strong emotions for someone who can’t feel empathy. Her relationships with Robyn, Becca, Samantha, and Scott end up teaching Cass a great deal about humanity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It wasn’t your traditional “vampire” novel. Instead, you meet a girl who has only one job – to collect the tears of anyone she can – and you realize that life without feelings and emotions isn’t much of a life. This is definitely a fantasy story with a vampire twist, but even more, this is a story of coming to understand yourself. It is a great read, and has a fantastic ending that leaves an opening for a sequel!

*short and snappy*
writing: engaging – I felt like I was experiencing Cass’s story first hand
plot: twisty – as soon as I thought I had figured everything out, something would change. (The ending is a fabulous twist!!!)
characters: multifaceted – Cass develops in ways she didn’t even know were possible
judging by the cover: love it! I think the cover could draw someone to pick up this book (which of course, is the point of a good cover) and it is directly related to the story too
miscellaneous: I’ve read quite a few negative reviews of this book because they think that the main character is too cold – but (for crying out loud) Cass can’t feel emotion! When you can’t feel emotion, what choice do you have BUT to be cold. I thought it was a fantastic story!

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

author’s website: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
release date: September 7, 2009
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Fiction
length: 208 pages
overall rating: 3 stars

*the inside flap*
In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.
Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don’t scare her. They don’t keep her away;. In fact, they don’t make a difference at all to her.
But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.
Or maybe she’s just a girl who needs love just like he does.

*my review*
This contemporary version of Beauty and the Beast is the least paralleled fairy tale retelling I’ve read. There are definitely parallels in the story, but you don’t feel like you are reading a fairy tale. Instead, you experience a very interesting story about a boy’s conflicting feelings of guilt, anger, and intrigue and a girl’s feelings of loss, newness, and interest/curiosity in a boy. The perspective alternates between Aurora and Lucius by chapter, which only adds to the telling of the story.
Crazy Beautiful is the story of two very normal teenagers with very realistic issues, problems, and feelings. They are “real” enough to relate to. However, I felt like I needed to know more about Lucius’s accident. It is touched on and implied, but never really explained. I would have liked a better look into the event that changed him so completely.

*short and snappy*
writing: captivating – the writing style in this novel is very engaging and pulls the reader into the story
plot: steady, but with a very sudden ending
characters: deeply developed (but again, I’d have liked a little more back story on Lucius’s accident)
judging by the cover: I loved the cover!

The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard
A Debut Author for 2010

author’s website: Jennifer R. Hubbard
release date: January 7, 2010
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Contemporary Fiction
length: 208 pages
overall rating: 5 stars

*the inside flap*
Colt was with Julia for a year, but nobody else knew about it. Julia lived on Black Mountain Road in a mansion – with servants – and had a country-club boyfriend to complete the package. Cold definitely didn’t come from Black Mountain, and no one would have understood why they were together. But it never mattered to them. Until Julia dies in an accident right before her senior year, and Colt is suddenly the only one who knows their secret. He tries to pretend that his life is the same as ever, but he’s haunted by memories of Julia. Things get worse after the journal she kept about their romance falls into his hands. Colt searches every entry for answers: Did Julia really love him? Was he somehow to blame for her death? But the ultimate question – one nobody can answer – is how he’s supposed to get over someone who was never really his to begin with.

*my review*
As I began this story, I had mixed opinions. I don’t frequently read novels that have a male narrator. I’m not opposed to them, I just don’t gravitate toward them. However, this book was amazing! I thought the writing was very strong. I loved that we got to know Julia through her journal entries. I was fascinated by the raw emotional whirlwind that Cole was experiencing. I enjoyed the unexpected twists in the plot when characters interacted differently than I would have expected. But I felt like there wasn’t enough of a conclusion for me.
In a relatively short novel, Hubbard created realistic and deep characters and sent them through a tremendous amount of experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but would have liked to know a little more at the end. Overall, a fantastic read!

*short and snappy*
writing: fast and raw – you really get a feel for the characters and situations, even though the book itself isn’t very long
plot: twisty – more than I thought it would be!
characters: deep – again, much more than I would have thought possible in such a short novel. There is a lot of description that is implied through the characters conversations or reactions to situation.
judging by the cover: I didn’t expect the story from the cover. After reading the book, I get the cover, but it isn’t what I expected when I picked it up.
miscellaneous: this is a Debut Author novel for 2010

Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber

Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber
This book actually contained the first three books in the Vampire Kisses series: (1) Vampire Kisses, (2) Kissing Coffins, and (3) Vampireville

author’s website: Ellen Schreiber
release date: April 21, 2009
appeals to: Young Adult (& Vampire fans)
genre: Fantasy
length: 576 pages (3 books in 1 volume)
overall rating: 3.5 stars

*the back cover*
A new guy in town.
Rumors of vampires.
Dangerous first love.
This is where it all begins. . . .
The mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood empty for years. But one day it seems to be occupied, and its mysterious, handsome inhabitant Alexander Sterling becomes the source of much talk around town. Raven, a vampire-obsessed Goth-girl who has always considered herself an outsider in "Dullsville," is determined to uncover the truth surrounding the secretive Alexander. As she gets to know him, and their spark intensifies, Raven finds herself in some unanticipated situations. Can Alexander make her lifelong dream come true? But love always has its complications—especially when it can only be awakened at nightfall.
The first three books in Ellen Schreiber's bestselling Vampire Kisses series capture the thrill of a most unusual romance. (A short summary of each book is available here.)

*my review*
I began reading this series with no preconceptions. I saw the book, loved the cover, and thought, “Vampire book…excellent!” So far as current vampire books go, this one has the most “traditional” vampires I’ve read. They don’t go out in the sun (or sparkle, or have special rings that protect them), they prefer the night, they turn into bats, and they have fangs. I enjoyed reading about the “traditional” vampire, but I enjoyed even more the “goth” narrator. As a somewhat quirky girl myself, I totally understood Raven’s constant feeling of being on the outside, but being ok with it. She is a strong character and I liked her no-nonsense take on things, especially with her “nemesis,” Trevor.

Overall, this was a clever story and a fun series to read. I actually read all six books, so I’m hesitant to do much more reviewing for fear of being to spoilery. If you pick up the individual books, they are very quick to read. I do think that each book leaves you wanting more, so if you can get more than one at a time, I’d suggest it!

*short and snappy*
writing: down to earth – Schreiber’s writing really captures the teenage emotions, angst, dialogue, and the feelings of first love.
plot: unexpected twists in the plot and connections to prior books keep the series connected & fun to read
characters: even the minor characters are developed! Most characters reappear throughout the series, so you get to feeling like you know them
judging by the cover: the cover of this book (and the vampire genre of course) tempted me to pick it up. I love the image. HOWEVER, I think the individual covers of the first three books are all well done, too, so that is lost in the compilation.
miscellaneous: Books 4 (Dance with a Vampire), 5 (The Coffin Club), and 6 (Royal Blood) in this series are also available. The summaries are available here. And book 7 (Love Bites) is due out May 18th (2010).