Pi in the Sky by Wendy Mass

Pi in the Sky by Wendy Mass
"Joss is the seventh son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe. His older brothers help his dad rule the cosmos, but all Joss gets to do is deliver pies. That's right: pies. Of course, these pies actually hold the secrets of the universe between their buttery crusts, but they're still pies.

Joss is happy to let his older brothers shine. He has plenty to keep his hands full: attempting to improve his bowling score; listening to his best friend, Kal, try (and fail) to play the drums; and exploring his ever-changing home, The Realms. But when Earth suddenly disappears, Joss is tasked with the seemingly impossible job of bringing it back. With the help of Annika, an outspoken girl from Earth, he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime...and learns that the universe is an even stranger place than he'd imagined."- summary from Amazon

I love Wendy Mass' books so much; they're so clever and well-written. If you haven't read a book by her, go read one. It doesn't matter which because they're all amazing. They're very smart middle-grade books and this one is no exception. It's all about the universe and building one, so there are some scientific aspects to it (some of which flew over my head, lol) but it's very much from a kid's perspective. Joss and Annika are great characters and I loved seeing them interact with each other and work together on this crazy journey; there's some good humor and a little flirting between the two of them as they get to know each other. It's all very sweet.

Overall, just another wonderful, original book from Mass. Again, if you haven't read anything by her yet, get on it!

FTC: Borrowed hardcover from library. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.

Proxy by Alex London

Proxy by Alex London
"Knox was born into one of the City's wealthiest families. A Patron, he has everything a boy could possibly want—the latest tech, the coolest clothes, and a Proxy to take all his punishments. When Knox breaks a vase, Syd is beaten. When Knox plays a practical joke, Syd is forced to haul rocks. And when Knox crashes a car, killing one of his friends, Syd is branded and sentenced to death.

Syd is a Proxy. His life is not his own.

Then again, neither is Knox’s. Knox and Syd have more in common than either would guess. So when Knox and Syd realize that the only way to beat the system is to save each other, they flee. Yet Knox’s father is no ordinary Patron, and Syd is no ordinary Proxy. The ensuing cross-country chase will uncover a secret society of rebels, test both boys’ resolve, and shine a blinding light onto a world of those who owe and those who pay. Some debts, it turns out, cannot be repaid."- summary from Amazon

I will admit that I picked up this book because I heard it had a gay main character in it; I am not ashamed to say that that made me pick it up faster than I otherwise would have (I was also meeting the author at a signing, so there's that too...). But the gay factor is just a matter-of-fact aspect of Syd's character, and it's not mentioned too much past the beginning pages of the novel. Like with Scott Tracey's Witch Eyes trilogy, it's refreshing to read a book with a gay character that isn't about coming out, finding love, or anything like that (those obviously still have their place and I love reading, and writing, them, but it's nice to have stories that focus on other things too). That also doesn't stop me from writing a piece of Syd/Knox slash fan fiction.

London has created a very interesting world, and it really reminds me of the Legend series by Marie Lu (who blurbed this book). It's not necessarily similar, but they both kind of have the same gritty atmospheric quality to them. They're also both very action-packed and deal with teens running for their lives. I really enjoyed going back-and-forth between the two boys' perspectives and it was great getting to see into their heads and learn more about them that way.

Overall, I'm really glad I picked this book up and I'm so excited to read the sequel, Guardian, out this May, and see where the story's going after that crazy ending.

FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
SPOILERS AHEAD!
"Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He's won skiing prizes. He likes to write.

And, oh yeah, he's gay. He's been out since 8th grade, and he isn't teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that's important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time.

So when he transfers to an all-boys' boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate breaking down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben . . . who doesn't even know that love is possible."- summary from Amazon

I really enjoyed this book. I will admit though that I did start it way back in June when it first came out, couldn't get into it really and set it aside for a few months. It wasn't until November when I went to YALLFest in Charleston (and was meeting Bill, whose debut I loved too) that I started it again. I flew through it that weekend, reading it while waiting in various signing lines and then in my hotel room each night.

It's such a different kind of gay book with a main character determined to not let his sexuality define him and learning what it really means to be yourself. Konigsberg does a great job with Rafe's character and I liked the inclusion of his writing assignments, which gives the reader a different look into Rafe's past and into how he views the world through his writing.

What I also really liked was the friendship between Ben and Rafe- it was handled so beautifully and in an interesting way. It was nice to see a real connection evolve from a friendship and have it be more about the person rather than the gender, at least from Ben's perspective. I loved reading their scenes together and there's some great humor and heart in their interactions.

Overall, another hit from Konigsberg- seriously such a well-written, compelling, humorous book with a great amount of depth. I strongly urge you all to check it out and I hope it isn't too long of a wait before his next book comes out!

FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.

Blog Tour- Something Real by Heather Demetrios

Something Real by Heather Demetrios
"Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show's cancellation, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it's about to fall apart . . . because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™'s mom and the show's producers won't let her quit and soon the life that she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before."- summary from Amazon

I'm a huge fan of books that feature reality TV, and this was definitely right up my alley. It's a little bit similar in tone to the amazing Reality Boy by A.S. King, though this is a bit more humorous and also deals with the reality situation both in the past and the present (whereas the show happened in the past in Reality Boy). Bonnie is a wonderful main character and I enjoyed reading her story and following along with her on her journey through this crazy situation she thought she had finally gotten out of.

I also loved a lot of the side characters. I will admit to not really being able to tell the younger siblings apart, but I feel like the main focus was more on the three older siblings (Bonnie, Benton and Lexie) and their parents and the strained relationship between them all. I particularly enjoyed Bonnie and Benton's relationship; it's fantastic to see two siblings getting along and having each others' backs. I also liked that Benton was gay (and it wasn't a big deal) and had a steady boyfriend; that made me happy to see.

Demetrios really does a great job of writing the family dynamics and nailing the dysfunctional nature of this family through the scope of reality TV. The writing is compelling and it's hard to put down the book. I always wanted to keep reading and see what happened next. I really felt for Bonnie, and think the ending is the start of good things to come, and I kinda hope there's a sequel. I feel like there should be more!

Also Patrick, the love interest, is pretty damn awesome and I love him. He's a wonderful contemporary swoon-worthy guy!

Overall, such a great debut and I cannot wait to read more from Demetrios, no matter what it is!!

Courtesy of Macmillan, I have a copy of Something Real to give away! The contest is open to US/Canada residents only. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, February 12 at 9pm EST and you'll be entered! Please leave your email address in the comment if it's not easily accessible (like by clicking on your Blogger profile).

and here's an interview with Heather:

1) How did you get the idea for Something Real?

A People magazine, believe it or not. Stories will find you anywhere—all you have to do is pay attention to the world around you and be open. The issue I saw had Kate Gosselin and her kids on the cover and it just got my mind spinning: what would it be like to be one of those kids, with the camera on them 24/7? It was really as simple as that (well…and my own personal feelings about reality TV and privacy).


2) You have two books coming out in 2014- a contemporary (Something Real) and a fantasy (Exquisite Captive). Do you like switching between the two genres, and is that something you think you'll continue to do in her writing career?

I love switching between genres. I’m actually writing a totally different thing right now—it’s kind of The Grapes of Wrath meets The Road, but more exciting and with cute boys. I’d even love to do sci-fi one day—I have a killer idea, but I’m not sure how to pull it off yet. Going back and forth between fantasy and realism keeps me on my toes. It’s challenging because of all the world building and all these different characters who have needs and wants and demand my attention. It might be a little bit like having thirteen kids. J For me, it’s all about the story I want to write and characters I fall in love with. You know how in Dirty Dancing Patrick Swayze says “Nobody puts Baby in the corner?” For me, it’s like, “Nobody puts Heather in a writing box.” Or something like that.


3) You're getting an MFA in children's writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. What's the best lesson you've learned from the program so far? Do you think it's beneficial for authors to get an MFA?

Wow, this is a tough question because I have learned so much there. Perhaps the best lesson I’ve learned at VCFA is that you never stop learning. You can always be better, go deeper, and push boundaries. I do think it’s incredibly beneficial to get an MFA, although it’s not necessary. I had a two-book deal before I entered the program and several students had way more than that before they made the decision to get the degree. I think that speaks volumes as to the quality of the education and the passion that VCFA students have for craft. I don’t think not getting an MFA and getting published is a bragging right, but neither do I think the MFA guarantees publication or necessarily makes you better than someone who doesn’t have it. Everyone has their own path. For me, I like having the confidence that comes with knowing that I have been seriously educated in my field. It’s not just about the writing—for me, it’s about being able to meaningfully contribute to and be an advocate of the genre of children’s and young adult literature and—again this is just for me—I think having a degree will help me to do that a bit better. All that being said, it’s really expensive to get an MFA and not everyone has the opportunity to do that. And not all programs are equal—some, I’ve heard, can actually mess with your writing Zen. So, MFA or no, I firmly believe all writers need to commit to their craft. It’s not enough just to write a book—anyone who has a modicum of intention and has the ability to sit in a chair and type for long lengths of time can do that. A book should be so, so, so much more.


4) What's your favorite Jelly Belly jelly bean flavor(s)? Or, if you don't like those, your favorite snack to have while writing or as a reward for writing?

I seriously hope this involves actual Jelly Bellies! I love those sour ones or the watermelon flavor. They actually are a pretty good writing snack because they don’t get your hands all messy. Sometimes I eat those individually wrapped Dove chocolates because the sayings inside them crack me up.


5) What are you currently reading, or are about to start?

I’m currently reading A.S. King’s REALITY BOY—I like to think great minds think alike. J She’s also my advisor for school, so that’s fun. Yesterday, I just picked up Laurie Halse Anderson’s The Impossible Knife of Memory, which is about PTSD, an issue I talk about in my realism from Macmillan that’s coming out next year. There are so many great books out! My TBR list gets longer every day.


FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.

Blog Tour- Vengeance by Megan Miranda

Vengeance by Megan Miranda
"Nobody really believes in a curse. Until you know the people who disappear. Too much coincidence, you look for reason. Too much death, you grasp for something to blame. Carson pulled Delaney out and he died on the side of the road with her mouth pressed to his. Her air in his body. Troy. She told the cops it was suicide. Didn't matter. The lake released her and grabbed another. But when Decker's father dies in a pool of spilled water on their kitchen floor, all Decker can feel is a slow burning rage. Because he knows that Delaney knew that his dad was going to die. She knew and backed out of his house and never said a word. Falcon Lake still has a hold on them both, and Decker can't forgive Delaney until he knows why."- summary from Amazon

I really enjoyed Fracture and was excited about a sequel, but I probably should have re-read Fracture in anticipation of this. I was a little lost re-entering this world and everything that had happened previously and so may not have liked this as much as I might have if I was more in tune with the characters. As it is, I didn't really feel any connection to these characters and continued reading it hoping for something good.

Miranda is a good writer, and I will continue reading her books, but unfortunately this really fell flat for me. Decker's perspective wasn't all that intriguing to me, and the mysteries at the center of the book just felt tacked on for suspense. I don't know if there could've been a better sequel to Fracture; perhaps it was better off as a stand-alone.

Overall, if you liked Fracture, go ahead and give this a shot. I know there are plenty of people who still really enjoyed this sequel, but unfortunately I am not one of them. I will continue to read Miranda's books though because she is a talented author and I'm really excited to see what she writes next.


and here's an interview with Megan:

1) How did you get the idea for Vengeance?

I originally wrote Fracture as a stand-alone, and I was happy with where Delaney ended up in her story. I wasn’t planning on a sequel at first—I guess I wanted to think of Delaney and Decker as having some peace, some happiness. But over the course of the year, I received a lot of reader emails asking about what happened next, and so I also started wondering: no, really, what happens next?

What happens in a place where there was a miracle—Delaney surviving the un-survivable—but a surge of deaths surrounding that event?

What happens after people fall in love? After you think you’ve made it through the worst?

What happens to the people who’ve lived through the events in Fracture, who’ve watched their friends die, or almost die?

What makes someone believe in a curse? How much coincidence before you really believe?


2) What are you currently working on? Can you tell us anything about it?

I’m currently editing a book that will come out in 2015, currently titled Soulprint. In this story, science has discovered how to screen for someone’s soul, much like DNA fingerprinting. It’s about a girl who has been contained on an island for her own protection, who chooses to escape, following clues left behind for her from the previous life, that only she can decipher—unraveling the mystery of who she was, and who she is, and whether she’s destined to repeat the past.


3) What's your favorite Jelly Belly jelly bean flavor(s)? Or if you don't like those, what's your favorite snack to have while writing or as a reward for writing?

Toasted marshmallow! The best flavor, without the gooey mess!


4) What book(s) are you currently reading, or are about to start? Any 2014 books you're looking forward to reading?

I’m reading Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, and I’m about to start This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales.
As far as 2014 books, there are so many I’m looking forward to! One I’m really excited about seeing published is Elle Cosimano’s debut, Nearly Gone, which I had the pleasure of reading early. Tense, scary, romantic, and smart!



FTC: Received e-galley from Netgalley. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.