Twigs by Alison Ashley Formento

Twigs is an 18 year old girl...I mean woman...who is staring community college while her boyfriend is away at college. A girl who is working at a local pharmacy for the worst boss ever and a girl who is having major family issues. Her brother Matt is missing in Iraq, her sister and mother both have new boyfriends who are always around and she hasn't heard from her father in years--but apparently the rest of the family has.

The theme of this book is undeniably family--as an institution as the people you choose to surround yourself with. However, this book tackles to many issues as well:

War--her Brother Matt goes missing
Growing Up--Twigs tries to redefine herself as Madeline
Relationships--the Boyfriend away at college
Learning to Stand Up for Herself--job and relationships
Abuse--not in Twigs family but in a sub-character. This could tie into family if there wan't so much going on...

And lastly there is the pink-loving, disaster of a woman who destroys the pharmacy in the opening pages and throws open bottles of hair dye at Twigs giving her a sort of tiger make-over. This lady adds the most value to the story and entertainment as well. Rather than being a problem for Twigs, she takes her as family while her marriage is falling apart. She made this book and really made it ripe for discussion.

However, I think this book could do more. It touches on substantial issues and while predictable at times it is believable and honest. I think the themes need to be flushed out more to be a truly great book but I do think teens will gravitate towards it and emerging adults as well.

Reality Boy by A.S. King

A.S. King has done it again. Reality Boy is fantastic and I can't wait to get it in the library and start recommending it.

Gerald Faust was a child reality TV star--famous for being horrible and leaving presents for his family in inappropriate places (not the toilet). He is still living in the same town, still battling rage issues and still known as "The Crapper."

But as always, what is seen on TV, especially reality TV, is never the whole story. Reality Boy gets to the roots of the truth and brings his family knowledge and unity they should have had more than a decade earlier. Interspersed with chapters direct from the TV episodes from his youth I can't see how this won't be popular and resonate with teens.

Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young

Cat Patrick is hugely popular in my library. If I put one of her books on display, guaranteed it will be checked out by the end of the day.

This book, written by both Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young tells two consecutive stories about the same girl, Caroline based on whether or not she went to a party the night her grandmother died.

This is a raw look at families and the way they come together or pull apart. It also looks at fate and if a single decision can really change the course of a life. Well done.

Though it started off slow I was pulled into the story and very glad I read it.




ARC received from publisher at BEA

The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde

This companion to The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde did not disappoint. As you may remember my favorite part about the first book was the marvelous, magnificent, completely magical quarkbeast.

In The Song of the Quarkbeast, Jennifer Strange is back managing Kazaam! the group of wizards for hire. This was a fanciful and entertain addition and I can't wait for more. Kazaam! has been challenged by the competing wizard firm to see who can complete repairing a bridge first. All of the favorite characters reprise their rolls, including the villanous King Snood. I love the accolades associated with each character--it really add something to the story. I also loved the larger roll of the Transient Moose.

In particular, this book spent quite a bit of time discussing the mating rituals, existence of and much more regarding magical creatures...especially the quarkbeast. I still want pictures!

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

I was hooked on this story from the end of the first chapter. Ezra had it all: popularity, girlfriend, student government and scholarship winning athletic skills. That is until he was the victim of a hit and run with an injured knee and wrist and no longer any hope of playing sports.

Feeling like he no longer belonged with his old friends (or his cheating girlfriend) and trying to hide the extent of his injuries, Ezra becomes a bit of a loner. Then the new girl, Cassidy, helps him reconnect with his childhood friend Toby. They join the debate team and learn that "those who rule the school" don't know everything or have a monopoly on fun.

This is a story of growing up long after you thought you already had--of finding yourself and becoming that person above all else. It is also a story of romance, heartbreak and friendship. Five stars and I can't wait to get it for my library.


ARC received from publisher at BEA.

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Weaving together the story of five teenage boys--each experiencing, or not experiencing, love in their own ways, Two Boys Kissing is a beautiful and poetic work well worth the read.

I believe Goodreads describes it best:

"New York Times bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS."

And it was this description of the Greek Chorus that really helped me to understand the flow and narration of the book. I was completely engrossed and routing for all of the characters. I wish more books were like this one and I suspect it will be a serious contender for YALSA's Stonewall Book Award. 

Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick

I love the tagline for this book: "Inner beauty wants out."

When Becky's mom passes away, she calls a mysterious number she finds among her mothers belongings. A man named Tom Kelly (the most famous designer of, well, everything) answers the phone and flies Becky to New York. There she learns of her mother's glamorous past and is made the offer of a lifetime. Tom Kelly will use three dresses to transform her into the "most beautiful woman in the world."

Skeptical but with nothing to lose, Becky goes along with the plan and quickly becomes gorgeous, famous and has the world at her doorstep.

Gorgeous was a page turner. I couldn't put it down and I am sure I won't be the only one. I am not going to say this book was perfect and the language certainly isn't for young readers, but this book will definitely be very very popular.