YA Book Geek

A serious question

2012-04-27T22:45:00.002-07:00

I have recently been thinking a lot about YA and how some books have gone mainstream because they have been adapted into films or have been optioned. i don't know if it is just me but do some people feel a bit of...i cannot think of the word to describe the feeling that something special is being taken away. It is always cool to find a person who has read YA book you have read but when you get a new fandom thrown in from the movies and now it is available to everybody is their a bit of resentment? Like do you feel that this was mine first and now everybody else has it but does not appreciate it the same way? Maybe it is just me being selfish or childish in a way but once a book hits a certain level of popular culture it becomes distorted and not so special anymore. Does anyone feel this way or it is just me?

An aside: I don't begrudge authors the success they get from their book(s) and its adaptations because they work hard and deserve to be recognized for their great work these are just some weird thoughts from a YA fan.

Is it just me?

2010-08-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

I feel so out of touch with newly released books except of course mockingjay but I didnt know that the sequel to leaving paradise had come out. I try to stay up to date but this completely slipped by. Now i must go buy it. Did it slip by anyone else too?

Review: Rush by Jonathan Friesen

2010-08-23T23:14:00.001-07:00

Title: Rush
Author: Jonathan Friesen
Pages: 296
Pub. Date: June 2010
Synopsis (from B&N): Equal parts romance and heart-pounding action, this novel will leave you absolutely breathless. Join teen Jake King, an adrenaline junkie turned hotshot firefighter, as he struggles with the one risk he cannot take: losing his best friend and secret love, the beautiful Salome Lee. But to Jake, firefighting is like breathing pure adrenaline. And if he doesn't stop soon, they could all get burned

Opinion/Review: I have to be completely honest and say that when I picked this book up it was because I liked the author’s previous book (jerk California). The whole fire idea was a little iffy for me but I’m glad that I bought this book. The main character Jake is misunderstood by everyone except his best friend Salome. They don’t understand the need for the brain clearing adrenaline. He has to do his crazy stunts to feel like everybody does but one stunt leads to a series of life changes that could be disastrous for Jake, Salome and the town of Brockton, California. Let me start out by saying that this fictional town revolves around the firefighters who come during the wildfire season. Even Jake’s brother is part of these crews until his friend becomes an immortal (a secret firefighter club). The whole town turns on the king family, investigations are digging into mysterious deaths and Jake is a blind idiot. I definitely recommend this book but have to give it a 4 out of 5 just because it took Jake too long to see what was right under his nose.

Something like Fate

2010-04-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

Yes something like Fate comes out may 4, 2010 and on friday I will post my review of Something Like Fate so that you can see what I thought and go buy the book on Tuesday May 4, 2010.

Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control?
From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she's known him forever. She's not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn't matter. Because Jason is Erin's boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend.
What if the boy who is your destiny is the one person you can't have?

LA book festival

2010-04-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

As I said this past weekend I went to the Los Angeles festival of books. I have to say that it was overwhelming, so many YA authors that I have and hadn't heard of were there speaking on panels and signing books. Apparently this was the first year they had a YA stage and for certain events it was packed full. Unfortunately I missed the meg Cabot panel but I got to see the Blood, Fangs, and Temptation: Everything Vampire panel with some great vampire authors like Richelle Mead, Heather Brewster and others. They talked about their books and how they created the worlds their characters live in. They also answered a very interesting question. I'm paraphrasing but they talked about how all the YA vampire authors actually support and encourage each other and how other's success has pushed their books into the limelight an example being twilight. I was also able to see john green and David Levithan talk about their book Will Grayson Will Grayson. I especially liked how John Green talked about how he wanted to explore all types and forms of love there is not just the romanticized version we are taught by society and everybody else. And here is a link to some photos i had posted.

Los Angeles festival of books

2010-04-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

2010-04-20T19:05:00.000-07:00

Title: Going Bovine
Author: Libba Bray
Publisher: Random House
Pages:496
Synopsis(from b&n):Can Cameron find what he’s looking for?All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.

Opinion/review: This is one of the weirdest books i have ever read and i am not just saying that. Weird in a somewhat good way though. Cameron is just like all of us trying to survive high school when he finds out that he has mad cow disease. throughout the entire book Cameron goes on a journey to find a cure for his disease. There is parallel between Don Quixote and Cameron. This book is like a roller coaster of emotions(mostly laugh out loud funny). Balder the yard gnome is a great character, if you are thinking how does a gnome fit into a story you will definitely have to give this book a try. Some people may not make it to the end and that's OK but props to Ms. Bray for creating this great convoluted story that just makes sense.3/5

Elizabeth scott contest entry

2010-02-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

Easy Monday (3)

2010-02-22T18:54:00.001-08:00

Easy monday's in where I review romantic comedies.

Title: Summer in the City

Author: Elizabeth Chandler

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 358

Synopsis: Athletic Jamie isn't sure about spending the summer in the city with her romance–novel–writing mum. But when she meets irresistible Josh, Jamie realizes she could probably use all the romance advice she can get!
Lacrosse camp 9 a.m.–noon (can't be late! "Coach" Josh will freak out)
Basketball camp 1:00–4:00 (so many screaming kids. . . )
Shopping with Mona 4:30 (finally a break)
Date with Andrew 7:30 (he's so perfect. . . isn't he?)

Opinion/review: I’m not completely sure this falls under a romantic comedy but it’s still a YA romance novel so I think it counts. I have to say I was somewhat disappointed with this book. I have read the kissed by an angel trilogy and really liked it so I bought this book. I mean it had it’s good parts but it started out really slow. It took me about 2-3 days to read all of it which is not good, towards the end the story picks up so that really helps. Jamie and Josh’s relationship starts out really weird she meets him when he is in drag and they have a moment but she doesn’t know who he is. Automatically they have an attraction towards each other but Josh is Jaime’s coach. An okay book 2.5/5

The unwritten rule

2010-02-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

summary:Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.
Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.
Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.
Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

I definitely can not wait till the release of this book. If you have read Some of Elizabeth Scott's other books then you are also eagerly awaiting this book only 21 more days!In case you havent heard she is having a huge contest over at her Blog for 25 books and an arc of the unwritten rule so maybe go on over there and good luck.

Some info

2010-02-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

Alright i know i have been MIA for a while, but I have a poll up on my new title or banner picture I woulf definitely love some feedback. I will try to post more regularly but no promises

Story of a girl by Sara Zarr

2010-02-07T20:20:00.000-08:00

Title: story of a girl
Author: Sara Zarr
Publisher: Little, Brown
Pages: 192
Opinion/Review: story of a girl is that the story of how a girl’s relationships and reputation is ruined by something she did at the age of thirteen. She fools around with her brothers’ seventeen year old friend and is caught by her dad. This leads to a strained basically nonexistent relationship with her dad, being harassed and bullied and having only two friends. Deanna Lambert seems like things don’t faze her she has an impenetrable armor. Except that’s not true she just hides things really well seems like the only person who somewhat gets her is her brother Darren who has his problems to deal with like being a young father. The book does deal with a kind of heavy subject but I don’t feel like I really knew the characters. You get a sense that something deeper is going on but that depth just isn’t revealed. The other characters seem sort of one dimensional. I really liked the book but I have to give it a 3/5.

changing it up

2010-02-07T20:19:00.000-08:00

Changing it up, I’ve been blogging for a couple of months but still haven’t really found a way to review books that I feel comfortable with. So I will be experimenting to see what feels right. Mostly I will write the summaries myself and include links to a bookstore website with their descriptions.

This project seems great

2010-02-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

click on the pic I will participate in my community and its awesome that all people and grops have banded together to bring books to Indian reservations.

Winner,winner,winner!

2010-02-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

A little late on the winner annoucement but without further delay.
Bianca:?
Raelena :the astonishing adventures of fanboy and gothgirl
and
shadow:?
Chosen by random.org
48 hours to respond if not new winners will be chosen

Awesome find

2010-01-23T18:56:00.000-08:00

I have lived in this town for almost three years and I barely discovered this wonderful used bookstore. I was so excited when I found it and I cant wait to actually have time to look around.I got story of a girl for 4 bucks. Sorry I just really wanted to share this.

The Mission by Jason Myers

2010-01-17T00:24:00.001-08:00

Title:The Mission

Author: Jason Myers

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages:361

Synopsis(from b&n):

Wake up and do something!
Kaden Norris's life is shattered when his older brother — his best friend and hero — is killed in Iraq. All Kaden has left of Kenny is a letter, urging him to break away from his sheltered life and to go to San Francisco to visit his cousin, James.
Kaden is blown away, as James introduces him to a life filled with drugs, sex, and apathy. He goes from extreme high to extreme low, having no idea what to expect. And when Kaden uncovers secrets about his family that have been kept from him for years, his entire world comes crashing down. This may not be the trip his brother had envisioned for him, but it's one Kaden will never forget.

Opinion/review: Just one word, wow. I mean this book was on my to be read pile but after reading Exit Here last year curiosity got the better of me. I’m definitely not disappointed that I moved this book to the top of my list. Before you continue I have to say this book is not for anyone under 14…maybe 15. This is a really messed up book I mean just the things that the characters do to each other will have you thinking like what the hell is this. The drug use, explicit language and sexual content will like blow you away. It has a political message in there but I will not even touch that subject. I have never experienced any of the things that Kaden goes through during his crazy week in San Francisco and hopefully none of you have either but this book is real, human nature at its worst. This book is like nothing I have ever read but I cannot wait for more from this author. Personally I liked the book a lot and I recommend it along with his first book Exit Here but I will refrain from giving it a rating. This up to you guys I know not everybody will be able to get through it and some will dislike the graphic scenes but again give it a chance.

Reminder

2010-01-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

My Books I love and want to share contest ends this month and there are only a couple of entries so come on over and enter for a chance to win a book and some goodies.Books to choose from: Jerk, california, The astonishing adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirl, and Two-way street. Goodies include: a gothgirl minimate(tiny action figure), signed bookmarks and some postcards. sorry but U.S. only.

Easy Monday (2)

2010-01-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

Easy Mondays in where I review romantic comedies.
Title: Scary Beautiful
Author: Niki Burnham
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 264
Synopsis(B&N):

Chloe Rand's life is great.

She has a serious boyfriend, she's about to start her junior year of high school, and she has a tight group of girlfriends. But when her boyfriend moves across the country and decides the long-distance-relationship thing just isn't for him, Chloe's devastated. Worse, she soon learns that when you're the prettiest girl in school and totally unattached, everyone starts treating you differently. Girls don't trust you, guys aren't sure what to make of you, and everyone assumes you're either spoiled, dumb, or both.

Chloe realizes that she's been living the last few years in a bubble and decides to do something about it. But when she falls for Billy, a total geek, will it make her situation better...or worse?

Opinion/review: One of the better books I have read from this author. We get a good feel of who Chloe is and she becomes a really likable character. There is some drama between the friends but it gets solved and the friendships seem real. Billy is the cool geek who seems like a great guy. If you like romantic comedies and are looking for a good one to read I definitely recommend this book.5/5

The astonishing adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirl by Barry lyga

2009-12-23T22:55:00.000-08:00

Author: Barry Lyga

Publisher:Graphia

Pages:311

synopsis (from B&N): For most of his life, Donnie's followed his mother's advice, given when he was first picked on by bullies in grade school: ignore them. He lives mostly under the radar, both at school and at home, sailing through classes and working on his graphic novel, Schemata. His life sucks, but at least he knows what to expect. The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl relates what happens when someone notices him — really notices him — for the first time.
Mysterious Goth girl Kyra, dressed in black and with an attitude just as dark, forces her way into his life, renaming him Fanboy. A loner in her own right, Kyra challenges Fanboy's perceptions of his possibilities. When Fanboy's longtime friend Cal starts hanging out with the jocks that have always made Fanboy's life a living hell, Kyra steps in to fill the void. She convinces him that greatness lies within reach, if only he can convince comic book guru Bendis to take a look at his graphic novel . . .
Author Barry Lyga, a comic book fan in his own right, writes intimately and respectfully about how the world sees and is seen by marginalized, creative, and conflicted teens whose only difference from those around them is that they read and write about superheroes.

Opinion/review: I know that I always give the books I read 5/5 but they deserve it and this book also deserves it. Mr. Lyga has a way of writing that engages the reader. Maybe it’s just me but I can relate to the comic geek and Goth chick more than the popular kids. The characters seem real they have their flaws and can sometimes makes us wonder why someone would like them but in my opinion is what is great about the book. It’s a new type of story and I definitely recommend this book.5/5

Sound like something you may want to read? check out my contest here and sign up for a chance to win it along with one of these yup a gothgirl minimate.

20 questions

2009-12-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

Hey are their any Barry lyga fans out there? well if yes he just posted his answers to 20 questions his fans asked and mine got answered and I won a minimate. Which I am giving away to one lucky winner in my contest which is up and going. Also for Fanboy fans Schemata graphic novel pages are up. So go check that out.Review for fanboy and gothgirl will be up soon!

completely nerdy moment

2009-12-05T22:11:00.000-08:00

oh.my.god. I just saw the deathly hallows trailer and am so excited for next year. check it out for youself at mugglenet. you kinda have to scroll down the page but its worth looking for.

Long overdue award posting

2009-12-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

I got this award from Elnice@ Ellz reads (Thank you)

The honest scrap award is for those bloggers who write from the heart. I have to nominate 7 bloggers and say ten honest things about myself.

nominees:

reggie from undercoverbooklover

Vania from reveriebookreviews

Milka from Read.Read.Read.

lost in shadows

sorry thats all I can think of at the moment

10 honest facts:

1. I love books(obviously)

2.Im addicted to lemons with salt(so good)

3.I plan to study political science and chicano studies

4. I wish I could get into UC?

5. I like to the smell of new books (i know weird)

6. I hate milk

7. the dork in me loves school supplies but I don't have a huge backpack

8. I admit to spending some of my reading time playing video games(I know shame on me)

9. I like to procastinate

10. shh dont tell anybody but I am just a little bit of a weirdo ;)

I still have some other awards to post but that will be at another time because me and blogger are not getting along right now

Books I love and want to share contest

2009-12-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

UPDATE:changed name due to my mistake
UPDATE: sorry forgot but U.S. only and please leave which book you would like to win with your entry.Ends 1/31
Alright I like to keep some contest on here all the time for my followers new or old.This contest will be my longest one. Basically I will be giving away three books and these are just some of my favorites so in the spirit of the holidays i will give them away to you guys.

Again these are some books that I really like and want to get people to read them although since they did come out like 1-3 years ago some of you may have read them.The great thing is that along with the books will be some swag. Mr. Friesen was kind enough to send some signed bookmarks to go along with the winner of the book. For mr. Lyga's book I will be parting with a minimate I won and a postcard. For two way street I haven't got anything yet and if i dont i will add a jerk california signed bookmark and a postcard from F&GG. So yeah three winners.one book+swag each.

Rules: First and foremost you must be or become a follower to enter.Please leave which book you would like to win and in case two or more people want the same book it will be on a first come first serve basis.

+1 new follower

+2 old follower

+1 for every comment on a post starting with papertowns

+2 for comments that were made before 12/1

+2 sidebar or blog post

+5 add me to your blogroll

That is it contest ends 1/31 so plenty of time to enter and rack up some extra points.
Oh and please leave email if you are not comftable with this email it to me at Weirdpanda3@gmail.com

Jerk, California by Jonathan friesen

2009-11-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

Title: Jerk California

Author: Jonathan Friesen

Publisher: Speak(penguin)

Pages: 327

Synopsis(B&N):

Twitch, Jerk, Freak—Sam Carrier has been called them all. Because of his Tourette's syndrome, Sam is in near constant motion with tics and twitches and verbal outbursts. So, of course, high school is nothing but torment. Forget friends; forget even hoping that beautiful, perfect Naomi will look his way. And home isn't much better with his domineering stepfather reminding him that the only person who was more useless than Sam was his dead father, Jack. But then an unexpected turn of events unearths the truth about his father. And suddenly Sam doesn't know who he is, or even where he'll go next. What he does know is that the only girl in the world who can make him happy and nervous at the same time is everywhere he turns . . . and he'd give anything just to be still.

Opinion/review:I have actually reread this book many times since last year and now i can share what I thought. I really enjoyed this book. It's the type of book that gets stuck in your head(not literally). It's also very refreshing to read something different, that you can relate to and feels real. Sam struggles to be "normal" he lives with a hatred and feeling that his disease is a curse. Under all that is the thought that his father didnt want him and was some type of loser. His stepdad disowned him when he got Tourette's and his mom cowers and doesnt help sam. Then comes Naomi, beautiful and mysterious Naomi who has her own secrets. Then crazy coot who Sam doesnt understand but because of him learns something that changes his life and even his name. Sam's journey to self discovery is literally a journey somehow he and Naomi get thrown together on a road to trip that will lead them to Jerk, California and some answers. The one thing though that everybody must keep in mind is that all the characters have some flaws that will annoy you but thats what makes them seem so real.5/5 you must go buy this now!

P.S. there is also a song that was inspired by the book listen it here.