Book Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Mary lives in a village cut off from the rest of the world by a fence surrounded by the Unconsecrated filled forest. The sounds of their hands scraping and their teeth gnashing is so familiar, that although it serves as a constant reminder of their isolation and uncertain future, it fades into the background of the townspeople’s existence as they go about the business of simply surviving.

But Mary is not happy with the status quo. She’s heard her mother’s stories about the ocean, about a happy time before the zombie apocalypse. She yearns for that which is forbidden by the ruling Sisterhood – for knowledge, for true love, for freedom. But is she willing to risk everything for a chance at a different kind of life beyond the forest of hands and teeth?

This novel is bleak and oppressively claustrophobic, but if you can get past that, you are in for a heartbreakingly beautiful story about daring to dream no matter what. About following your heart. About making every moment count.

There is a lot I’d love to discuss in more detail, but I don’t want to spoil it. For those of you looking for scenes of bone crushing zombie action, you will definitely not be disappointed (although you will have to be patient for more than 100 pages). For those of you wary about reading a “zombie” book, don’t be scared. The narrative might not be sugarcoated, but it’s far from being “horror” in the scary movie sense.

Mary’s story will resonate with fans of impossible romances set against perilous backdrops (think The Hunger Games or even, as Jen Robinson suggests in her review, Twilight). This is one that will stay with me, and the big tease at the end has me chomping at the bit like a super zombie to read the follow-up.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth comes out tomorrow in hardcover, and I'm sure you are going to be seeing a ton of reviews of it in the coming days.

I'm obsessed!

So I've gotten this Your Blog is Fabulous Award a few times, but I've never actually written about my obsessions like you are supposed to...because I'm NOT obsessed with following rules. But I just got it again from Taren and Liviania and a Proximade award from Mari, so I thought, why not? So in honor of these three amazing bloggers and everyone who has given me this award before, here you go!

1. You already know I'm obsessed with books, blogging, cereal, chocolate, and my cat Emmy (to the point that I make up songs that I sing to her like "Meowy kitty, you like to meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow" sung to the tune of Lucky by Britney Spears.)

2. You may not know I'm obsessed with collecting paper money from around the world. This is a joint venture with my father and together we have amassed quite a collection. I'll go out of my way to cross a border on my trips so I can get even more (i.e. when we went to Zimbabwe, I planned a side trip to Botswana). Whenever someone takes a trip to a country I haven't been , I beg them to bring me back some currency. I've also bought some of the rarer ones at flea markets and online. Here is one of my favorites:

3. Seasonal obsessions: I am a huge fan of fresh fruit in the summer, and I always have to have gingerbread around Christmas. I also get really into skin care and make-up in the winter. I am probably most obsessed with lip treatments and lip gloss. Current favorites? The Sugar Lip Treatment from fresh, the Beauty Balm in berry from Too Faced, and the Color Plump in Hey Sailor! from benefit.

4. Dormant obsession: During her tours, I spend way to much time at the various Tori Amos message boards. I could tell you all her setlists and what songs she debuted where. I also went to 4 shows last tour and collected all the available (legal) bootlegs. This is cover used for her "Clyde" shows.

5. Former obsession: In high school, I got mostly As, but I wasn't too upset if I got a B. In college though, I was obsessed with getting straight As. And I did.

So what are some of your obsessions?

Book Review: Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee

Maybelline “Maybe” Chestnut is at odds with her mother Chessy, a former beauty queen who only seems to care about her Charm School students and planning her elaborate weddings to a series of unsuitable men. So when Chessy refuses to protect Maybe from her latest scuzzball, Maybe decides to join friends Ted and Hollywood on a road trip out to California, where maybe, just maybe, she might find her real father.

I was excited to read this because I just adored Lisa Yee’s Millicent Min: Girl Genius (read my review). Millicent was so well drawn as a character that she became a real person for me. In fact, I still have her voice in my head even 8 months later. Sadly, this is not the case with Maybe. I read this last week, and as I write this, the only thing I still have clearly in my mind about her is the changing color of her hair and the fact that she dyes it with kool-aid. Maybe is billed as being this independent, dynamic girl, yet spends most of the narrative reacting to circumstances instead of taking a proactive role. She lets her friends walk all over her (she doesn’t object when her guy friends take the beds and make her sleep on the floor?! Seriously?), she bums around in California instead of looking for her father, and when her purse is stolen, she kind of just gives up and hopes for some sort of miracle to save her from homelessness.

Perhaps to counterbalance this serious lack of title character personality, the novel is populated with a plethora of over-the-top supporting characters, most of whom are extremely egocentric (except for one of Maybe’s former stepfathers who is so accommodating it borders on a creepfest). For example, Maybe’s friend Ted, an adopted Thai, is splashy, charming and bold but once he starts working as an assistant for a reclusive Hollywood star, he becomes unbearably pompous.

There were definitely things I liked about the novel, such as a subplot where Maybe has job at an illegal Mexican food stand, but overall, this felt like a really disjointed series of vignettes and crazy personas that could’ve used a stronger, more memorable and more proactive main character to hold it all together.

ABSOLUTELY MAYBE is out in hardcover now. To find out more about the book, visit absolutely-maybe.com.

Friday Fabulous! (6)

What I am excited about this week:

1. Diana Peterfreund is so excited about the amazing response my contest to win an advanced copy of Rampant is getting (147 entries and counting) that she is donating a SIGNED copy. That’s right – now there will be two lucky winners. How cool is Diana?! There is still time to enter until Thursday night at midnight CST.

2. One of my favorite new bloggers Taylor from For the Love of Books gave me The Your Blog is Fabulous award! Getting awards from your peers never gets old :) Thanks Taylor <3

3. Readingjunky won my contest to win a custom header from Daniel and her new header is now up. Check it out! And while you're there, read her excellent review of Francine Prose's forthcoming YA novel Touch (due out June 16th).

4. 13 Little Blue Envelopes garnered the most votes in my Where should my next book take me poll, so I will be reading it this month. I also plan to read Undercover by Beth Kephart which has been chosen as a recommended read for March by the postergirlz at readergirlz.

5. More books in my mailbox this week! Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman and Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon found their way to Germany and my Kansas mailbox is enjoying the following: Life Sentences by Laura Lippman, Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry, Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean (yes, someone needs to stay away from Shelf Awareness!) and my contest wins Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev, The Italian Lover by Robert Hellenga and The Terror by Dan Simmons.

6. Speaking of The Terror, the universe really wants me to read this book because I won a third copy of it over at Books Ahoy. 1 million thank yous go out to Nancy aka The Ravenous Reader who let me know I won a swag bag over at Wings author Aprilynne Pike’s blog. We all know how hard it is to keep track of everything we do on the web, so friendly reminders are always welcome!

What are you excited about this week?

Well Worth Watching Blogger Profile (3) Persnickety Snark

For my third Well Worth Watching profile, I chose the amazing Adele of Persnickety Snark. Adele is also the brains behind the Read Carpet podcast for YA books, The Aussie YA Alliance to promote Australian authors, and the Sarah Dessen Diarist. She's a busy, busy blogging bee and I am always excited to see what she'll take on next!

If someone were to blurb your blog in 25 words or less, what would he or she say?
Persnickety Snark is the cornea melting, green blog of all things YA related, especially anything Australian. It is infused with a special combination of snark, humour and a sprinkling of the ridiculous.

What kinds of books do you read and review on your blog?
I review anything that gets thrown at me. Even though I am self-confessed sci fi snob I will read them (and am learning they aren't all bad.) I focus on YA novels from all genres and all countries. I am working to spotlight on Australian YA authors that foreign audiences might not be familiar with. I am definitely flying the Aussie flag, although there is no complimentary Vegemite toast upon entry .

What were a couple of your favorite books recently and which ones are you most looking forward to reading soon?
I absolutely adored Jennifer Echols Going Too Far, it really built upon what I liked about her style and become much more emotionally resonant. I really enjoyed Boofheads, a novel by Scottish/Australian Mo Johnson who's story was told from an Australian teen male's perspective. I am really looking forward to getting my hands on all these books on my wishlist!

What are some of your favorite posts or reviews in your blog archive and why?
I run an Author's Spotlight feature where I post author's reading habits, an interview on their newest release and a guest blog. I think they are always great posts, I try and ask meaningful questions related to the text and I think I get great answers because of it. Melina Marchetta's guest blog about processing her Printz win was great fun because she was still in the buzz stage where it didn't seem real.

In terms of reviews, any time I write about Jennifer Echols it is bound to get gushy. My favourite line of any review is calling her the "YA equivalent of crack", she seemed to appreciate that too :)

My favourite interview hasn't been posted yet. It's with Gayle Forman, author of If I Stay, it is also what I consider to be my best review. Reviewing can be difficult at times, I try to be constructive but that proves difficult if it's a tough read or simply wonderful.

I have If I Stay coming up and I'm super excited. What are some posts or reviews on other blogs that have caught your attention as being well worth reading?
Reviewer X's review of Kiss My Blog was an absolute doozy and I loved it. I had suffered through that piece of rubbish as well and I laughed as I read her snarky take as I completely agreed with everything she said. Except, you know, I finished it.

I thought Jocelyn's review of Going Too Far was really well written. I think she writes the best reviews bar none and it made me want to read the book more (if that was possible).

I have a few blogs that I haunt religiously - Teen Book Reviews, Reviewer X, Presenting Lenore (snerk), The Chick Manifesto, Pop Culture Junkie, Story Siren and a whole host of others. I read everything that pops up on my blogroll but if I need to prioritise, the previous list is my go-to gang.

In terms of author blogs I always hit Sarah Dessen, Alexa Young, Karen Mahoney, Gayle Forman, Melissa Walker, Meg Cabot, John Green, Margo Lanagan, Simmone Howell and this list could go on forever.

Aww...Glad to be on your shortlist! Complete this sentence: "If I didn't have my blog..."...I would be procrastinating on marking my year eight's assignments for larger slices of time.

On a serious note though, I would have never encountered great individuals (and authors) like Gayle Forman, Alexa Young, Melina Marchetta or Beth Fantaskey or the multitude of bloggers that I have become friends with.

Thanks for playing along, Adele!

The Well Worth Watching Award was created and designed by Joanne of The Book Zombie. I'm just passing it along to other bloggers!

Guest Book Review: Who by Fire by Diana Spechler

Reviewed by Presenting Lenore guest reviewer Jen Reichert

Ash and Bits have been irreversibly changed in childhood by the kidnapping of their little sister, Alena. Thirteen years later, Ash still blames himself for Alena’s abduction and looks for a new life as an Orthodox Jew in Isreal. Bits took a much different direction, and has become a real wild child. Until one day when their mother phones to say that Alena’s remains are finally discovered. Trying to reach Ash to no avail, Bits jumps on a plane to travel half way across the world in attempt to bring her brother home, to ensure that the family is together one last time.

After reading the back cover, I thought I would only be captivated by the somewhat mysterious lifestyles of Orthodox Judaism. Parallel to learning about the Orthodox Yeshivas, I was delighted to see the author give the female characters in the book a raw, disturbing and truthful portrayal of women seeking relationships to numb their pain. It was also refreshing to have enough information about Alena’s disappearance, yet spared of any gory details.

The book made me think about not being swift to judge other’s behaviors. Sometimes what motivates us is too deep and hurtful to explain, we just try to start anew. I would recommend this book, for not only did I read something about a fascinating culture, but also about genuine human behavior.

Library Thing Tuesday (43) + picture of Emmy

Today's Question (from host Wendi): Were you aware of the Early Reviewer Program? Have you received any books from the program? If you have, how have you liked the book(s)? Any other thoughts on the LTER program?

I love the ER program. It has been very good to me, awarding me 10 books since I joined in April 2008. Here is a list of all the books I've snagged, some number of copies vs number of requests info for each book, and my thoughts and LT rating for each book. (If the title is a link, it leads to my review of that book here on my blog).

The Wednesday Sisters 150 copies/851 requests

This was my first book in the ER program so I was really excited to get it. I had a hard time getting into it though. I gave it 3 stars on LT because the female writer/friendship aspect was appealing.

The 19th Wife 100 copies/1053 requests

Wasn't too sure about this one - it actually wasn't my first choice - but I ended up loving it and gave it 4 1/2 stars on LT.

Tomato Girl 20 copies/707 requests

Also wasn't my first choice but it became one of my favorite reads of 2008. 5 stars on LT. Maybe the algorithm knows me better than I know myself?

Woman of a Thousand Secrets 40 copies/945 requests

Also not my first choice. Even though there were parts of this I thought could have been cut, I did enjoy the blend of history and myth and gave it 3 1/2 stars on LT.

The Fire 300 copies/ 668 requests

This was my first choice and I was super excited about it because I loved The Eight. I didn't think it was a worthy follow-up however, and I gave it 2 1/2 stars on LT.

The Whisky Rebels 100 copies /1764 requests

I ended up liking this a lot more than I thought I would. Mostly because I thought the characters were so well drawn. 4 1/2 starts on LT.

Company of Liars 20 copies/1751 requests

This was my first choice and I was estatic to get it. I had really high expectations for this, and was a bit disapointed, even though I did like most of it. 3 1/2 stars on LT.

Lost Episodes of Beatie Scareli 25/828

I was shocked when I got this because I didn't recall requesting it. And it's self-published which I avoid. The only book I thought I requested in Sept 2008 was The Music Teacher (which I picked up at the Frankfurt Book Fair). I haven't finished it yet. Horrible isn't it? I really need to...

Cracked Up To Be 40 copies/1363 requests

My first choice and great read (despite a subplot I didn't like). 4 stars on LT.

Darling Jim 30 copies/1314 requests

I just found out today that I snagged this February book after a couple months of getting nada. YAY!

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Emmy's keeping warm - how about you?

Book Review and Giveaway: Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

I just finished this “killer unicorn” novel and I seriously have the urge to share it with everyone I know! Well, since it doesn’t come out until August, and I only have one copy, I can’t. But I am giving away my ARC to one lucky commenter as part of the Book Giveaway Carnival hosted by Bookroom Reviews and buying a hardcover copy when it comes out for my permanent collection. UPDATE: The author herself was so excited to see how everyone was so excited about her novel that she is also donating a copy to the contest which she will sign!

So what’s all the fuss about? 16 year old Astrid has always thought her mother was nuts with all her talk of killer unicorns and how they were driven to extinction by a virgin ancestor. But when Astrid’s best chance for a prom date is mauled by a unicorn in an apparent reemergence, Astrid discovers the truth behind the legends and joins a convent of virgin warrior maidens in Rome charged with protecting mankind from the foul beasts.

Sounds kind of out there doesn’t it? But Author Peterfreund has done her research and actually bases both the virgin warriors and the killer creatures on historical myths and legends, and weaves them perfectly into the tapestry of this thrilling novel. (Find out all about the 5 types of killer unicorns on her website here – spoiler free!)

There are so many things to love about this book. Let’s start with the characters. There are a lot of them, but even the supporting players get distinctive enough personalities that you can tell them apart. There’s Astrid - the type of sarcastically hilarious, fiercely loyal girl you want as a best friend (and want on your side in the case of a killer unicorn apocalypse). There’s also her free-spirited and athletic cousin Philippa. And there are the couple of boys that become serious threats to their virginity and their powers. (Abstinence programs take note – this book makes a great case for keeping your virginity!)

I also loved that the book takes you on an emotional journey with Astrid. There are the highs of a successful hunt, a stolen kiss (ok, a lot of stolen kisses), and discovering the benefits of her powers. But there are also the lows of defeat, of discouragement, of wanting to give it all up.

One last thing I want to mention is how much I enjoyed the scenes with Bonegrinder, the small unicorn of the zhi variety that lives with the convent girls. She is as sweet as a kitten to virgins but gores anyone else. Every time she was around, I just wanted to cuddle my kitten even tighter.

Rampant will be released in hardcover in August 2009. Leave a comment on this post telling me why you’d like to read it by March 12th at 11:59 pm CST (DEADLINE EXTENDED) and you’ll be entered to win. Post about the contest on your own blog (sidebar is fine) for a second entry and leave a separate comment telling me you’ve done so (It MUST be a separate comment to count, thanks). This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY!

PS. Don't forget to enter to win one of 20 copies of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak if you haven't already!

February Reading in Review (+search terms and stats)

This month my goal was to continue to chip away at the review pile and to read at least one more book in the 1% Well Read Challenge (from the 1001 Books to Read before you die list).

Nearly all the books I read (with the exception of Wake and Speak) were sent for review, so that went well.

But I failed the 1% Well Read Challenge miserably, only reading 2 of the 10 books I set out to read. I did start a third, Carol Sheilds' The Stone Diaries, but after reading the first two chapters, I realized that it would take me at least a week to read if I wanted to really appreciate it. So, I'm setting aside for now. I am going to try the challenge again this year though, so wish me luck!

Books

I read 5 YA novels:
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
The Poison Apples by Lily Archer
Wake by Lisa McMann
Fade by Lisa McMann

2 middle grade novels:
Tell Me Who by Jessica Wollman
Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Dionne

1 general fiction novel:
This One is Mine by Maria Semple

2 non-fiction books:
The Customer is Always Wrong ed. by Jeff Martin
Where am I Wearing? by Kelsey Timmerman

And I abandoned 2 books after 50 pages that I just wasn't into...

Search terms

Bikini model Lenore. Sorry wrong blog!

Stalin statue. I can give you that yes. Right here.

Hair bands. I assume you are probably looking for glam rockers like Whitesnake or Poison. I am just talking about Emmy's favorite toys.

Who is Lenore? How do we know? I did do a couple of mini-interview posts here and here. As for how you know, you'll just have to trust me.

Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies. I had to mention this because it was by far the most searched for book this month and I thought that was pretty interesting!

Speak up about Speak. We'd be happy to! Steph and I put together this feature to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak. You could also win one of 20 copies of the 10th anniversary edition here.

Stats

I posted 36 times in February. Not a record, but still very prolific for me.

Most commented post was my bookshelves post. Probably because Alea, Serena and I got into a hilarious discussion about IKEA bookshelves. I read the thread to Daniel and we were ROTFL.

I had 5,500 visits in February, my most ever!

I also just reached the 200 follower milestone. Thanks everyone!

Thanks for voting on where my next book should take me. I have 18 votes for 13 Little Blue Envelopes and a tie for second place between Feathered and Elsewhere (15 each).

Let's talk about winning SPEAK! (Contest with 20 copies)

Major giveaway time! Be sure to read the rest of our SPEAK feature to celebrate Laurie Halse Anderson. This is Part 4.

Here's the handy table of contents so you can follow along in order:

Part 1: Steph and Lenore speak up about Speak (at Reviewer X)
Part 2: Steph and Lenore speak up about Speak (continued) (at Presenting Lenore)
Part 3: Authors speak up about Speak (at Presenting Lenore)
Part 4: Win one of 20 copies of Speak (on both blogs)
One more part coming!



Can’t speak up about SPEAK because you don’t have a copy yet? Well, we want to remedy that situation. Steph and I have 20 copies to give away. All you have to do is win one of them is comment on this post. For a second entry, comment on the giveaway post over at Steph’s. And to double your entries (for a total of four) comment on both AND post a link to this giveaway (either to the one here or at Steph's) on your blog (sidebar is fine) AND let us know that you did so. This contest will stay open until 9 pm CST March 12th and is open to US and Canadian residents only.