In search of a catchy title

Peeps

Edgy, clever, and suspenseful, Peeps puts a new spin on the vampire myth. In contemporary New York, college student Cal has been infected by a parasite that endows him with preternatural abilities. This parasite drives most of its victims insane, but Cal is one of the lucky few who gets all of the special powers and none of the crazy. The catch? The parasite is an STD- transmitted by even a mere kiss- which puts a bit of a damper on Cal's love life. He is on a mission to seek out any former girlfriends he may have unknowingly infected and to find the girl who infected him... but his search quickly leads to more than he had bargained for.

Westerfeld is a master of capturing the teenage voice, and the fast-paced plot spanning the genres of horror, humor, and romance is likely to be a hit with any young adult reader. This is a great read.  

A Great and Terrible Beauty

Aw, I see that I missed a QotD about current reading! Well, I'll answer it anyway- a day late- since that's what this blog is all about.

After a brief dry spell in reading, I've picked up A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray. I'm only a few chapters in, but I like it very much. I've always liked historical fiction, and this seems right up my alley- a gothic Victorian YA novel with supernatural elements... it's deliciously decadent! I'm still at the beginning of the story at this point, but one thing I already appreciate about Bray's writing is that her language is consistent with the time period and social station of the characters. It always throws me off when writers insert anachronistic phrases, such as "okay" or "uh huh," into a historical setting, but so far, Bray's tone and setting are believable. I'm looking forward to curling up with a cup of tea and reading further!

Because of Winn-Dixie (Because of Winn-Dixie)

In this chapter book for ages eight and up, lonely and motherless Opal impulsively claims an amiable stray dog that has wandered into the Winn-Dixie grocery store and saves him from the pound. With the canine Winn-Dixie at her side, she befriends a variety of people, gaining new perspective on life from each one. Thus, the void left by Opal's absent mother is filled with the love and warmth of those around her. At its heart, this Newbery Honor Book is a tenderly written story about loss, acceptance, and growth. The colloquial first-person narrative instantly draws in the reader as the plot unfolds to illustrate that everyone has something to offer, and that we are never alone. Like the Littmus Lozenges candy Opal receives from one of her new friends, this story is at once sweet and sorrowful, and is most certainly a treat to be savored and shared.

I just can't get over the beauty of this book... I want everyone to read it!

A Certain Slant of Light

I have a particular fondness for love stories where one or both characters are dead or otherworldly in some way, seriously hampering the relationship possibilities. I always find it fascinating to see how the author works through such complications! In Laura Whitcomb's debut novel, both characters are dead- tied to this world as Spirits unable to recall their sins, desperate to avoid the hellish fates to which they believe they are doomed.

Helen has spent the past 130 years haunting the Living, unable to be seen or heard until she encounters James, a Spirit inhabiting the body of a drug-using teenage boy from a troubled home. The two form a bond that quickly turns to attraction, and James convinces Helen to occupy a Living body of her own. When she finds a host in the only daughter of strict evangelical parents, the couple seizes the opportunity to realize their passion despite adversity. As Helen and James fall more deeply in love, they inadvertently complicate the lives of their hosts and must rectify their mistakes while coming to terms with the circumstances of their own deaths.

It's a beautifully written story of discovery and redemption. I was spellbound by Helen's wonder, joy, and pain at experiencing human life again. Although this title is classified as young adult, it doesn't hold back in any way, addressing issues such as drugs, adultery, sex, and hypocrisy in religion. I was captivated by this book from beginning to end.

Ooh, a blog!

I got an invitation from Vox today, so here I am. Like most everyone else trying out this service, I'm not quite sure what I'll use it for... maybe book reviews? Deep thoughts? Recipes? Nah- I'm not much of a cook, so strike that last possibility!

"Isn't it mysterious to begin a new journal like this? I can run my fingers through the fresh clean pages but I cannot guess what the writing on them will be."

-Betsy in Spite of Herself, Maud Hart Lovelace

"Pages," how quaint! Anyway, as soon as I figure out what I'm doing here, you'll be the first to know!