Book Club Forum

In lieu of a Waiting on Wednesday post, I wanted to let you guys know about a forum I am starting up. After reading many bloggers' resolutions posts to both read more of their TBR piles as well as trying to connect more with fellow bloggers, I decided to start up a book club forum. Initially, I was going to open it to only a small number to see how things go but I am admittedly impatient and decided to just open it now to anyone interested but please make sure you are willing to commit the time to this.

There is a chat on the site where we can all just get together and, obviously, chat, as well as have just get to know each other and talk about anything and everything.

At this time, the actual board discussions will be limited to the week's books rather than a free for all. The main reason for this: everyone on the site will know which books to push up on their lists and in theory, everyone participating will have read the books. Otherwise, we are talking about different books at different times and face it- it would totally suck to read a book, be super excited to talk about it only to find out there's a huge thread already devoted to it to try and wade through and maybe even find out its kind of died out.

Also, there is always the issue of ARCs. I don't want to set something up where the select few who receive ARCs have free range to discuss them when others can't even get them at the stores yet. With all that in mind, I am going book club style on this and am going to very much limit how much other book talk there is.

Talking about current reads in general terms is fine- spoilers, in depth discussion, etc- not so much except for the week's picks.

I am going to start out with one book but build up to three per week. You don't have to read them all (unless you later sign up to be one of my moderators should things expand that far and I need it but that's for another time) but please do commit yourself to reading at least 1 a week. This way, there will be enough people to have great discussions on these books. I will set the schedule for the first several weeks but after that, I will be very open to ideas on what the members want to show up. The beginning week of each month is when I will post the schedule for the next month so everyone has plenty of time to get a hold of the books.

My categories:

1. 2010 Debut Authors- Each week, one of the books will be a 2010 debut author title. This helps promote them as well as helps many of us complete are debut author challenge.

2. 2009 or 2010 Release- If its being released this year but isn't a debut author, it fits here. Anything released in 2009 will also go here.

3. Miscellaneous- Anything that isn't the above will go here, along with the occasional adult titles though this entire board will be primarily YA. 2009 releases can also fall into this category, especially the ones from earlier in 2009 but this also helps pull those books that might have been sitting in our TBR piles awhile.

I am still in the working stages of this but have the basic forum set up and am accepting members. The first discussion is set to open Jan 24 and if you have topics related to the book you want to talk about, send me a message in advance. I also hope to incorporate authors into this once things are up and running, particularly in the week's their titles are spotlighted (but that, too, is for another time).

If you are interested, you can head on over to the forum and check it out. Yes, the name is tied to this one since I am hosting it and I encourage everyone to use the same alias' they use for their blogging adventures. I want everyone to just have fun with this- connect to other bloggers, have a place to talk about set books, and just expand your blogging network.

Click here to check it out and sign up!

The first scheduled book is Break by Hannah Moskowitz. One, I just finished it and loved it and two, it is a very quick read so even though who join closer to the date should be able to get a hold of it and have it read.

Leftovers: Laura Wiess

SUMMARY (From borders.com):

A devastating novel of desperation and revenge from one of today's most compelling new voices in fiction. In this follow-up to her heartbreaking debut,Such a Pretty Girl, Laura Wiess once again spins a shattering tale of the tragedies that befall young women who are considered society's Leftovers.

Blair and Ardith are best friends who have committed 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 damaged 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?


OPINION: 5 STARS

Wiess has created yet another astounding masterpiece. Of the three books she’s published, I think this one is my favorite. The story is so well put together and so astoundingly heartbreaking. This book has pulled me through so many emotions, conclusions and obstacles in a way few other have. I both loved and hated these girls, admiring them and belittling them. This is another book I am not even sure how to review because there are simply too many things to say about it. Bottom line- read it.

The perspective alternates between Blair and Ardith, furthering it by everything being put in terms of you don’t say this instead of I didn’t say this. The reader is very much thrust right into every single thing these girls thought and endured through the direct verbalization alone. Compound that with Weiss’ phenomenal grasp of the written language and her immense ability to weave raw, gut wrenching emotions into words and the product is something that will stick with everyone who reads it in one way or another. Even if the story turns you off, the writing stands out and should remain in mind.

Taken alone, the personal history of both Blair and Aridth are enough to grip a person- twined together, it is almost astoundingly surreal. Watching the slow changing and fading of their innocence, forcing them to grow up is one of the biggest foci of this book and a rough one to swallow. Reading this, the most obvious feelings come up- a strong desire to simply take these girls from their families, uproot them and place them somewhere else. But the fact remains while these are fictional characters, there are numerous teenagers out there in similar circumstances, ranging across the wealth spectrum. Are we removing them? No- and that is one of the biggest points of this book and it is so astoundingly well made.

The ending was breathtaking and astounding and pretty much any other related word. This is the sort of ending a completely adore in books and left me with a million burnings thoughts and questions, sparking my own ‘what ifs’ from the very ones that spurred this book for Wiess. She doesn’t simply close the story- she leaves you thinking, calculating, and considering.

In every way, this book deserves 5 stars if not more. From the strong characters, even stronger and painfully logical development of them, to the voice it is written in and the plot itself- added in with Wiess’ knack for saying things perfectly- this piece is a work of genius. Many of the events that happened are ones I didn't expect but that seems to be the case with her books- there is simply no way to predict where things are going to head next. If you can stomach the raw emotions, the angsty plot line, and the overall content, then read this book. It is well worth it.

Author's Website (And I'm quoted! *bounces up and down*)

No links to other reviews on this one since I am at work... plus, this one sticks out so much for me, just read it. =D

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

I'm currently reading Leftovers by Laura Wiess and have to admit, I am almost sad for it since that means she has no more published novels for me to delve into but regardless, here is this week's teaser:

"That's when you start realizing your "firsts" aren't going to be the way you dreamed they would, and that you're feeling lost and stupid, inching your way around a whole new world. Each day brings a different worry like hairy armpits, periods, an BO, and wondering if you really are only worth your cup size. You start keeping your opinions to yourself because they might be dumb and you hate yourself for doing it, but it seems safer to blend in than stand out." -- page 8

Just one more example of how raw and powerful Wiess' writing and way with words can be, and that's only 8 pages in to yet another of her masterpieces.

Break: Hannah Moskowitz

SUMMARY (From borders.com)
Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before. And Jonah wants to be stronger--needs to be stronger--because everything around him is falling apart. Breaking, and then healing, is Jonah's only way to cope with the stresses of home, girls, and the world on his shoulders.
When Jonah's self-destructive spiral accelerates and he hits rock bottom, will he find true strength or surrender to his breaking point?


OPINION: 4 STARS



This story starts out with a punch and keeps on kicking right up until the end. Moskowitz has written it in a way where the reader is eased into the store- starting with the intentional breaks then divulges the reasons for the behavior at a steady pace. Almost immediately, I became engrossed in this story enough that I barely put any real thought in the fact that breaking your own bones intentionally is not actually a good thing. It wasn't until other characters started shedding light on it that it really crossed my mind with any validity behind it and I applaud Moskowitz for that distraction.

The plot line itself ranks high in terms of how unique it is. There are books about cutting, eating disorders, even arson- but how many involve actually breaking your own bones for the feeling of release? The idea is strong and the execution is also pretty strong. There were only a few places things seemed a little disjointed for me and I felt the ending came rapidly and finished abruptly, but I stayed interested throughout the entire book. I could have used a little more embellishment with the ending but the climax hit at a perfect time- the dive afterwards was immediate though. This is one I had to force myself to put down and go to bed which earns it a spot on my favorites shelf and guarantees it to be a reread.

Jonah's character is reminiscent of numerous other self destructive characters but his ultimate reasoning for why he wants to do these things makes sense in a very grotesque sort of way. Watching the spiraling of his mind was gripping, pulling me along with each slam against him. Breaking bones hurt- but everything else hurt significantly more and Moskowitz did a superb job expression this through her writing. Her writing style in this book is a little unique and very heavy on Jonah's thoughts, even the repititon of a word or phrase in times of high stress. She spared nothing as Jonah catapulted deeper into the reality he created unknowingly without ramming it down the reader's throat.

The bond between Jonah and Jesse is strong but heartbreaking. I couldn't help but wonder if it would be the same if Jesse wasn't allergic to most everything. The references to Confucionism was also a nicely added element that came up at just the right times and drove Moskowitz's point home. The reader was able to get a strong feel for Jesse without the focus on Jonah being taken away, even in intense scenes. Naomi's character admiteddly bothered me- in many ways, she was hot and cold and could never just decide on something. Her reactions and decisions didn't make sense to me often times- she supported Jonah in wanting to break every bone in his body then wouldn't allow him to stop, then took offense when he pointed out others who tried. She seemed to have the mindset that she could do no wrong in anything and that bothered me. I don't feel as though her character really was spotlighted enough for me to have any taste left in my mouth for her but dislike. Of all the characters, she is the least well written and her presence did detract a little for me, even towards the end.

Overall, I rank this one 4 stars. Parts of it seemed too fast without enough resolution and Naomi's character irked me but otherwise, this book hit it with me. From the unique and strong plot to the desperation clearly defined in the book through the writing, I could barely put this one down. The writing is simplistic, but it is from the first person perspective of Jonah and that plays a big part of it. He isn't a scholar or a genius- he's just someone trying to help his whole family without realizing what he is doing to himself and them because of it. Moskowitz portrayed that beautifully.

I also have to admit, I didn't realize until I had finished this book but Moskowitz wrote this in high school- she has astounding potential and abilities and I most definitely look forward to more from her in the future as she advances her skills.

Author's Website
Author's Blog

Other Reviews:

The Compulsive Reader
Library Lounge Lizard
Sarah's Random Musings

Going Too Far: Jennifer Echols

SUMMARY (From Jennifer's Website) :

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over...


OPINION: 5 STARS

I picked this one up at the store last night and didn't start reading it until but once I began, I couldn't stop. This book without a doubt earns 5 stars- from the characters to the story to the humor and sarcasm, there were few things that didn't mesh with me. This book starts off strong and at least for me, it never diminished in pace and intrigue.

Through her powerful writing, Echols has taken someone deemed an outcast and delinquent and painted her into something entirely different. In numerous ways, I found myself sympathizing and identifying with Meg despite how different our situations actually are. What seems innocent and just a quirk that belongs solely to Meg has a purpose and a reason and Echols unveiled each component at just the rights moments without ever interrupting the flow of the overall plot. Meg's character is rapt with sarcastic and flippant thoughts and come backs, helping to build the rough exterior that she prides herself on but there are the much needed moments where that cracks in an instant, giving the reader a glimpse within her before the curtains are pulled tight once more. I would be hard pressed to find a person who didn't see character growth in Meg throughout this story and I firmly believe Echols did an astounding job with it. Of all the characters, the changes seen within Meg were the most clear and followed at a steady, believable pace. Granted, the story is from her perspective but the events themselves helped to mold her.

John was another multifaceted character, harboring his own reasons for his thoughts, beliefs and actions. Of course there was a point where I had my suspicions about his rationale, it wasn't until the end of the story that it was confirmed or denied for me. His interactions with Meg were humorous and intriguing, particularly with the barrier of overly devoted, determined cop blocking much of it. As with the moments where Meg peeked around her own blockade, the flashes of the same thing with John were memorable and tugging. I found myself falling for him much as Meg had, learning to appreciate the endearing even if quirky things about him.

Sex of course did come up in this story quite often but I didn't find it to be unnecessary or brash. Her views on sex and the mental dependency on it was a part of Meg's character and though we try to ignore it, everyone knows there are teens out there who share those same views. I don't at all think Echols was painting a bad picture with the sex, the language or even the drug and not only because the teens were arrested and had to face the consequences of the acts. Instead, Echols used even sex and drugs to help build her characters and develop them beyond such those base attributes.

Despite the emotional roller coaster this story provided, it was ultimately a feel good kind of book by the end of it. The ending provided full closure and left me smiling, erasing any of the more raw emotions it had induced prior to that. The very last line was perfect for the story- something that at first, I wouldn't have imagined but completely appreciated it when it happened.

The only real problem I had with this story was how little explanation was really given for the seemingly instant pull between John and Meg. In just a short time span, both characters fell hard for each other without much reason given as to why. Both are young teenagers and of course there is always the argument that they cannot really feel anything so strong but given their backgrounds and histories, I would be more willing to believe it- except there wasn't too much reason besides they just did. At least, to me there were little solid reasons provided although I was up late reading and could have missed it.

Overall, I give this one 5 stars because I read it one sitting, ignoring even sleep just to finish it because there simply wasn't a good stopping place that wouldn't leave me lying there wanting to keep going anyhow. The characters were strong and witty, well developed and unique. The story as a whole took place in an interesting setting- while Meg is a high school senior, there was no school interaction and that was by no means the focus. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes romance, strong and sarcastic characters and even people who like things dealing with some of the tougher issues.

Other Reviews:
Pure Imagination
The Story Siren
Books By Their Cover

In My Mailbox

This is a weekly meme hosted by the one and only fantastic Kristi over at The Story Siren.

I *almost* made it through the week without actually spending anything on books. The two half.com ones I ordered last week but no dice- I really wanted Going Too Far after seeing it on so many best of 2009 lists. I was armed with my $10 Borders gift card courtesy of Lisa Schroeder as part of her Chasing Brooklyn ARC Tour so I figured, why not? Then when I got to the store, they had buy 4 get the 5th free for all YA books so clearly I had to do that- there was a free book involved, right? I thought so- but apparently Toby adamantly disagreed....

Bought from Half.com:

Break by Hannah Moskowitz
Leftovers by Laura Wiess


Bought from Borders:

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Night Runner by Max Turner
Boys that Bite by Mari Mancusi
Stake That by Mari Mancusi
Girls That Growl by Mari Mancusi

What was in your mailbox this week?