New Releases (pretend it's) Tuesday!

Not a huge releases week, but what we lack in numbers, we (maybe) make up for in quality.

Prodigy by Marie Lu - Penguin Young Readers

The sequel to Legend is finally here! June and Day go to Vegas (Nevada represent) and join the Patriot rebels in order to continue their quest to be the most bad ass characters in YA lit. (I think Katsa still edges them out, but I'm slightly obsessed with her, so...) ANYWAY, it sounds like June is going to have a crisis of faith regarding the rebellion, and maybe the Republic isn't that bad? It probably is, but we'll see.

I will say that while I enjoyed reading Legend, it didn't stick with me like other comparable books. I might even have to go back and read it before I dive into Prodigy to remind myself of the characters. I do remember there was a lot of dirt and a mean government, but that's about it. That's probably a good blurb for the jacket, guys: Small-time blogger says "There's a lot of dirt and a mean government." Marketing gold.

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd - Balzer + Bray

Retellings of classic stories are going to be a big trend this year, and what better way to kick it off than with a reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau, told from the perspective of Juliet, the crazy doctor's daughter (see also: the title of the book).

I've already read this one, and it's pretty entertaining, with the right amount of creepiness, animal hybrids, and love triangles Not with the animal hybrids though--it's not that kind of book. Recommended for a dreary day with a cup of tea and some time to kill.

New Releases Tuesday!

Yes! It's back, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to kick off 2013. Inexplicable electric storms! Murder and intrigue! Caroline B. Cooney!

Through The Ever Night, by Veronica Rossi--HarperCollins Children's
Barnes & Noble      Powell's

Listen, I know there are roughly 1,000,000 dystopian-fiction-romances out there right now, so let me help you wade through the muck a little bit: Read. this. book. Well, first, read the first book (Under the Never Sky), and then read this one.

You know how the second book in a trilogy can be kind of boring? It takes half the time recapping what you already knew and the other half setting up the third book? Well, not this one. The action is packed, the romance is believable and genuine without being saccharine. Set in a world of fierce electrical storms, desolate spaces, and, according to the cover, perfectly waxed chests (I don't think there really are waxed chests), this is a dystopian trilogy that will leave you clamoring for the next book, even if you're a bit tired of the genre.

Paper Valentine, by Brenna Yovanoff--Razorbill
Barnes & Noble     Powell's

For anyone who argues that book covers do not matter, I submit for your consideration: Paper Valentine. I want this framed. Seriously. Kudos to you, cover designers. You do not get enough credit.

Paper Valentine is the story of Hannah, a girl whose town is ravaged by a serial killer, and whose best friend comes back in ghost form to persuade her to find the killer. Seemingly a good mix of supernatural and realistic fiction, I'm looking forward to picking this one up for a spooky late-Winter read. I also can't fault anyone who puts Dramarama on a book playlist.

 Janie Face to Face, by OMG Caroline B. Cooney (her formal name)--Random House
Barnes & Noble     Powell's

This is the conclusion to the epic Janie series, which brought us such classics as The Face on the Milk Carton and Whatever Happened to Janie? If you are old enough to remember the Lifetime movie adaptation of these novels (starring Kellie Martin aka Becca Thacher aka that bulimic girl from every other Lifetime Original movie), then you are probably pretty excited about this. Or maybe I'm just projecting.

Anyway, Reece is still around (remember when they made-out in the leaf pile? Did I make that up?), and Janie is still pretty torn up about being kidnapped and stuff. Let's see what happens! Let's also watch part 1 of The Face on the Milk Carton, which was sadly overlooked for every major award in 1995.

What books are you looking forward to reading this week?

Don't Call it a Comeback

Hello, dear readers! I have been absent for quite some time now, adjusting to some new developments in life. First, I got a full-time job. Second, I got married. Third, I lived in New York City at Christmas and had to brave Rockefeller Center every day. If I had tried to write anything after fighting through throngs of tourists trying to get a shot of a large tree, it would have come out something like OHGODPLEASESTOPWHY.

But now, I'm back. Much like Backstreet. ALL RIGHT.

Things to look forward to in the new year: New Releases Tuesday is making its triumphant return; I will be doing in-depth author posts; re-reading classics will become a bi-monthly feature (hopefully); I'll try to use less caps lock (BUT I'M NOT PROMISING ANYTHING).

Just a quick disclaimer: I do now work for a publishing company, but I promise to keep promoting books from all publishers because buying books helps us all, and you can trust that I will never recommend anything that I don't actually recommend.

If you have any requests for books you'd like to see here, let me know. Looking forward to reading/writing/snarking in 2013!