16 year old Cara feels like an outsider at her high school. She has no real friends and tries to ignore the taunts of the popular girls who call her choker. So she's excited when her best friend from her old town shows up. Zoe is bold and independent and gives Cara confidence. But when Cara's enemies start turning up dead, Cara has to wonder if Zoe has something to do with it.
Soooo....this is one of those novels that messes with your head. You know, one of those that you start reading and initially dismiss as predictible and then WHOA!
Debut Author Woods builds a frighteningly effective atmosphere that's a mix of bullying, desire, low self-esteem, and mental instability. It's an explosive combo. Cara is a total train wreck, crush Ethan (the head mean girl's boyfriend) is hiding an atypical dark secret and Zoe is campy fun...that is until she engages in some PETA unfriendly behavior. NOOO!
I should note that this is the first full length novel I read on my new NOOK. I am noticing a bit of a disconnect with the material I am reading on it, which is worrying. Hopefully I'll take to reading on an eReader soon.
CHOKER was released yesterday in hardcover. Find out more about it (and read an excerpt) on the publisher's website.
i have tried reading a few things on e-reader but they have not held my attention in spite of them being books I think I will like. I still won't buy one. In any case this sounds really good. Will be adding it to THE LIST.
ReplyDeleteOoh, congrats on the ereader! But I agree, it makes me feel like I haven't really *read* the book when I read it on my Kindle. Strange. Maybe it's because we're so used to physical books with pages and pretty colors...
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
Mary
The Book Swarm
This was a WOAH book for me as well. I thought it was incredibly well done!
ReplyDeleteI felt that way at first with my nook. For the first couple of weeks, I worried that I'd wasted my money on something I was never going to use because reading books on it felt so strange and cold. Then something just clicked for me. I've had my nook for about six months now and I use it all the time. Sometimes I'll go weeks without picking up an actual book, although there's no way I'd ever completely stop wanting to read physical books as well.
ReplyDeleteI also sort of felt that way with my first few books on the e-reader. I noticed that I read much faster, but that there was something about the books that just weren't resonating with me like they should have. Since then I have become a little more accustomed to it, but it's still very different than reading paper, and I am sure that it will always feel a little weird for me. I actually still read more paper books, even though I could readily have access to them on the Kindle if I wanted to.
ReplyDeleteAll that being said, this does sound a little more unusual than most of the other YA books out there for some reason, and it sounds like something that I'd like to try. I am not so sure about the offensive animal parts though!
Hmmm I regret abandoning this after a few chapters I was put off by the writing style. Now my egalley has expired.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about the first ebook I read, but have definitely gotten more comfortable with it. For me, a lot of it depends on if the ebook is properly formatted so that I can be immersed in the story.
Oooh, a WHOA book sounds fun. And that's such a pretty cover. (I'm really into pretty covers today.) On the TBR list it goes.
ReplyDeleteJust got a Kindle for Christmas and am reading like a maniac. I have the larger sized one which may make the interface more pleasant (?). Anyhow, I've loved the books I've e-read so far--way too many. Biggest problem is the Kindle may put me in the poorhouse!
ReplyDeleteI have heard so many great things about this book. I am definitely looking for books that aren't what you expect and this sounds just about right.
ReplyDeleteI really like the direction the author took with her characters--that was pretty bold!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the disconnect, having just read my first ereader book. I don't know if you've read Anna and the French Kiss but it became so good that I forgot I was using my Nook until I wanted to turn the page. Not having a page to turn kept snapping me back to reality :P I hope I'm like other commenters and get used to it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Choker sounds really good. Dark though... I'd have to be in the mood for this one, for sure. Great review!
The book sounds like a good one! I know what you mean about the e-reading experience - I haven't been able to get past that. I also find it harder to review e-books.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds really interesting. I'm always down for a "mess with your head" kind of book. Will have to add this to my "to check out" list.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a book fully on my Nook yet! I'm nervous!
my comment vaporized when i clicked submit! boo! (feel free to delete if this is a duplicate)
ReplyDeletei love the cover and premise of this book--i'm on a bit of a YA binge right now! as for your ereader, i admit to not reading on mine as often as reading traditional books. i've had my kindle for a year and maybe read 15 books on it last year. i like it for its ease and convenience but still like books! good luck with yours.
nat @book, line, and sinker
ps. saw your tweets the other night about chocolate chips--i'd be happy to send some to you if need be. :) life without chocolate chips should be illegal!
I am still working on my nook-relationship. Like you said, I feel disconnected from what I'm reading. I will say, though, that I'm now on book four and things are looking up. Perhaps it just takes time.
ReplyDeleteOnce you get used to the differences in formatting I think you'll be alright. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you really knew somebody, I think you couldn't be totally surprised to find out they were evil.
ReplyDeleteThis actualy sounds really interesting. plus, the main character has the same name as me, only y'know, without the L, which I never really liked all that much myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd the issue you had with the Nook is what scares me the most about e-readers. Hopefully you'll get used to it :)
This one sounds intense!!! I love my son's Kindle!
ReplyDeleteIt has such an awesome cover . I so want to read this book.
ReplyDeleteSounds very intense and very good :) I'm going to look out for this one. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this book for awhile now. Your review has made it even more intriguing for me.
ReplyDeleteJust bought this one, hoping it going to be good it sounds so interesting!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an intense take on the somewhat typical high school mean girls story.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting an e-reader. It has taken me a while to get used to reading on mine (I have an iPad) but I do enjoy it (especially at the gym). But I still tend to switch between the ereader and good old paperbacks. There is just something about holding a book and turning pages that I still love.
I saw this in the bookstore the other day, I have to say, the cover is gorgeous, and it sounds like a great story :)
ReplyDeleteand yay for ereaders! I'm pending on purchasing one myself!
I quite liked this one, and I don't mind reading on my ereader.
ReplyDeleteI just bought this one last week and am REALLY looking forward to it, especially after your review!!!
ReplyDeleteTHIS BOOK IS AMAZING I USUALLY NEVER READ BUT I DECIDED TO READ THIS BOOK AND I DONT REGRET IT IT IS AMAZING...THE ENDING SEEMS SO PREDICTABLE THEN WAM!...ITS A WHOLE OTHER STORY..HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS WONDERFUL BOOK.
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