Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories

Title: Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories
Author: various, edited by Stephanie Perkins
Narrator(s): various
Series: anthology
Length: 16 hrs 2 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books
Publication Date: May 19, 2016
Source: Audible Romance Package
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Maybe it's the long, lazy days, or maybe it's the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom. Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

Featuring stories by Leigh Bardugo, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Stephanie Perkins, Veronica Roth, Jon Skovron, and Jennifer E. Smith.

Anthologies can be hit or miss, and not every story is for everyone. Some of these stories were written and narrated by favorites of mine, while others were by authors and narrators I've only ever heard of...if that. But whether I loved all of the stories or not, I still appreciated the different takes on different types of love and just how diverse these stories were. There is literally something for everyone. Here's how they fared all in all:

Head, Scales, Tongue, Tail by Leigh Bardugo and narrated by Stina Nielsen - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I saw where this story was headed, almost from the beginning, but the journey there was such a pleasure. This was an almost ethereal tale of a mythical lake monster that transforms into a bittersweet love story, and it was just so lovely I wanted to squeeze it to pieces. Such a great way to kick off this anthology!

The End of Love by Nina Lacour and narrated by Erin Moon - 🌟🌟🌟

Never read a Nina Lacour book before but I found this short story of hers to be quite sweet and hopeful, and the atmosphere just screamed summer. And in such a short space, she covered so many big topics.

Last Stand at the Cinegore by Libba Bray and narrated by Christopher Gebauer - 🌟🌟

This one felt like it should have been included in an anthology of spooky stories, not love stories. The romance took such a backseat to the horror going on in the rest of the story that I almost forgot about it. Had I been looking for a scary story, I would've enjoyed this a bit more. It also felt...clunky...for Libba Bray. She's one of my favorite authors and I know she knows how to write romance, so I'm a bit disappointed in this one. Also, it read a little like Zombieland, with Jesse Eisenberg as the awkward main character and the narrator. He wasn't either in this short story, but I almost could have believed he was.

Sick Pleasure by Francesca Lia Block and narrated by Jessica Almasy - 🌟🌟🌟

Okay, so this story was sad and a little brutal, but I'm not gonna hold that against it since it was such a good reminder of what young love is like. It's all great until heartbreak and bad decision-making but it's genuine and real, if not a little bit depressing.

In Ninety Minutes Turn North by Stephanie Perkins and narrated by Cherise Boothe - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Adorable, but I wouldn't have expected anything less from Stephanie Perkins. Her romances always bring the happy feelings and this second-chance at love was no exception. Pure summer fluff.

Souvenirs by Tim Federle and narrated by Michael Bakkensen - 🌟🌟🌟

Sweet end-of-summer, end-of-romance story. Sometimes summer romances are just that: summer romances. And I'm glad this story didn't endeavor to be more than it was. It was just fun and fluffy and cute.

Inertia by Veronica Roth and narrated by Stina Nielsen - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I was beginning to think this anthology was going to be full of sad summer love stories, the way some of these stories were going, including this one. But then this one did a full 180 and I'm back on board. I know all summer romances don't end happily, but geez. Although, this one didn't feel like a summer romance so much. It was a vaguely science fiction piece with a friends-to-more romance but it didn't really happen over summer.

Love is the Last Resort by Jon Skovron and narrated by Christopher Gebauer - 🌟🌟

Eh. I didn't really enjoy the narration style of this story or the matchmaker aspect. Not in a story this short. But love in the workplace or at a resort -- or both -- is fun.

Good Luck and Farewell by Brandy Colbert and narrated by Cherise Boothe - 🌟🌟🌟

This was such a lovely story about love and loss and moving on. It featured not only a really sweet start to a summer romance, but a narrative about familial love and how you can lose someone without them being gone and still make room for other people in your life.

Brand New Attraction by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Erin Moon - 🌟🌟

Insta-love with a sorta-not-really sibling...where have I read this before?  😒  Maybe there were no Shadowhunters, but there were still demons and manipulative parental units aplenty. Honestly, I just don't think Clare has it in her to write outside her wheelhouse.

A Thousand Ways This Could All Go Wrong by Jennifer E. Smith and narrated by Jessica Almasy - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This one definitely could have been improved by simply being a full-length novel so we could get more of that adorable slow-burn, but otherwise, I kinda loved this simple summer romance and the direction it took.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things by Lev Grossman and narrated by Michael Bakkensen - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I really enjoyed this Groundhog Day-esque story, filled with special little miracles that the characters map out so that they can visit whenever they want, for as long as August 4th keeps repeating. I loved the reason behind the repetition and the inevitable outcome, and despite that it finds its basis in Groundhog Day, it still manages to be thoughtful and unique.


I don't read many anthologies, and I enjoyed this one for the most part, but I didn't think it was as cute as the holiday anthology Stephanie Perkins edited. It did get me in the mood for more summer romances, though. 😉

GIF it to me straight:

About the editor:

Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door, and Isla and the Happily Ever After. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called My True Love Gave to Me and its companion anthology, Summer Days and Summer Nights. My next YA release is a horror novel called There's Someone Inside Your House, which was released Fall 2017.

Find Stephanie:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Labels: anthology, audiobooks, contemporary, favorite authors, reviews, stephanie perkins, summer

{Review} There's Something Horrible for Everyone in SLASHER GIRLS & MONSTER BOYS by @apriltucholke

Title: Slasher Girls & Monster Boys
Author: Stories selected by April Genevieve Tucholke
Narrator(s): Robbie Daymond, Emma Bering, Nora Hunter, Jorjeana Marie, Julia Whelan & MacLeod Andrews
Series: n/a, horror anthology
Length: 13 hrs 12 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: August 18, 2015
Source: borrowed audio from library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

For fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Lois Duncan, and Daphne Du Maurier comes a powerhouse anthology featuring some of the best writers of YA thrillers and horror.

A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.

Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.

Fans of TV’s The Walking Dead, True Blood, and American Horror Story will tear through tales by these talented authors:

Stefan Bachmann
Leigh Bardugo
Kendare Blake
A. G. Howard
Jay Kristoff
Marie Lu
Jonathan Maberry
Danielle Paige
Carrie Ryan
Megan Shepherd
Nova Ren Suma
McCormick Templeman
April Genevieve Tucholke
Cat Winters

I find it really interesting to listen to anthologies these days. I still want a physical copy of this book for my shelves so I can leaf through it and re-read my favorite stories when I'm in the mood for a little horror or need to share a good scary story. But there's just something about hearing these creepy tales from some of my favorite authors…and having some of my favorite narrators give voice to the things that go bump in the night...

The Birds of Azalea Street by Nova Ren Suma - 3.5 stars
I think using this story to kick off the anthology was a brilliant idea. Nova's writing style is always eerily beautiful. It's not gory but still just creepy enough in the most human way. I don't know if it would have had the same impact if I'd read it after some of the others in this collection.

In the Forest Dark and Deep by Carrie Ryan - 5 stars
This story was inspired by Alice in Wonderland and it was epically epic in its creepiness. It seems like one thing and then morphs into something else, and I kind of loved it. The use of flashbacks only served to make the story seem even more otherworldly. Dat white rabbit, tho!

Emmeline by Cat Winters - 3.5 stars
I liked the writing style in this one, but I just found it too predictable. I just didn't connect with it, though the French accent the narrator used was lovely. I'm also not all that familiar with the stories that served as the inspiration for this piece, so that could have been responsible for some of the disconnect.

Verse Chorus Verse by Leigh Bardugo - 2.5 stars
I thought for sure this would be one of my favorites of the collection because of who the author is, but I was underwhelmed. It was eerie to an extent, but it never gave me chills or anything like so many of the other stories did, and I know that Bardugo can write such darkness into her story if she deigns to. Maybe it was because she was tackling a contemporary setting instead of her usual fantasy? Whatever the case, this story left me feeling very meh.

Hide and Seek by Megan Shepherd - 4 stars
I have a thing for Death personified. Or harbingers of Death. Really, anything where Death or the Afterlife is involved. And games of chance. This story was kind of fun, all things considered, but it was also dark, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The Dark, Scary Parts and All by Danielle Paige - 4 stars
I didn't know what to expect from this story because I read the prequel novella to Dorothy Must Die and I enjoyed it so little that I didn't continue the series. But I actually found that I enjoyed this addition to the anthology, despite the fact that I figured out the twist pretty early on. But I do tend to connect to characters who embrace both the light and dark within. ;0)

The Flicker, the Fingers, the Beat, the Sigh by April Genevieve Tucholke - 4.5 stars
Tucholke really knows how to build up to the creepy after just a hint of it in the very beginning of the story, especially with all the talk of "best scary movies", etc., between the characters throughout. That only adds to the atmosphere and sense of foreboding. And the not knowing...eeek!

Fat Girl With a Knife by Jonathan Maberry - 3 stars
Typical zombie story. I haven't read anything by this author previously, but I'm interested...mostly because of the character development. Dahlia was fierce but compassionate in spite of all of the bullying she'd succumbed to, and she makes a frighteningly good zombie killer.

Sleepless by Jay Kristoff - 5 stars
Dude. It's scary to get inside the head of a killer. Even scarier that Kristoff does it so well. Though, he did have a hand in creating the homicidal AI in Illuminae, so it shouldn't come as a surprise. I liked the inspiration for this one, as well, though I was also reminded of that Supernatural episode Houses of the Holy with the supposed avenging angel.

M by Stefan Bachmann - 3.5 stars
M is for murder. Mwahaha. I didn't get any creepy vibes from this story...just an urgent need to help Mischa discover the murderer's identity before it was too late. The story felt very much on the surface, like I could have read an entire book based on this premise and still never connected with it more than I did in this short story. It was rather bland to me.

The Girl Without a Face by Marie Lu - 3 stars
I love stories that totally lead me astray in the beginning, only to throw the shocking truth at me later. I also like stories where characters get their comeuppance. Marie Lu has proven to me time and again that she can write characters who are unaware of what they are, who struggle with right and wrong. But I most enjoy the characters who leave me on the fence, deserving of my contempt but also strangely deserving of my appreciation.

A Girl Who Dreamed of Snow by McCormick Templeman - 3.5 stars
Short, sweet and to the point. There are those who think that one sacrifice is worthier than another, and this story serves to highlight that fact. Magic, sacrifice, hunters...I can't pinpoint what exactly helped me to connect to this story more than others in the collection. I just know that I did.

Stitches by A.G. Howard - 4.5 stars
Most Frankenstein retellings I've encountered -- and I haven't read all that many -- focus on the brothers' relationship to validate the need to revive a person using some crazy science and medicine. This Frankenstein story, however, stems from a family's need to survive a tremendous loss that leaves them broken beyond repair and another family's need for redemption. Equal parts tragic and eerie, this story reminded me of why I like Howard's writing so much. She touches on many of the same themes as the original tale, from inconsolable grief to what makes a person human.

On the I-5 by Kendare Blake - 2.5 stars
I just did not connect with the voice in this story. Not as the main character described the monsters and not when it became apparent that she was a monster herself. I expected the anthology to end with a bang of a story, but it sort of just fizzled. Maybe I'm biased, though, because hitch-hiking seriously weirds me out. :P

I am sososo glad I listened this anthology. I may never look at some of the narrators the same again, but that just means they did their job thoroughly. ;0) I mean, obviously it appealed to every little evil bone in my body, but it's just such a good collection of stories. There's really, truly, honestly something for everyone in this anthology. And now I reeeeeally can't wait for April's new book in 2016 -- Wink Poppy Midnight -- because she makes reading creepy, abhorrent things such a delightful experience.

GIF it to me straight:

About the author:

April Genevieve Tucholke is a full-time writer who digs classic movies, redheaded villains, big kitchens, and discussing murder at the dinner table. She and her husband—a librarian, former rare-book dealer, and journalist—live in Oregon. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is her first novel.

Find April:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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Labels: anthology, april genevieve tucholke, favorite authors, favorites, halloween, horror, must-read, penguin, scary reads

Waiting on Wednesday: The White Rose & Slasher Girls & Monster Boys

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selections are...








's Pick:

Title: The White Rose
Author: Amy Ewing
Series: The Lone City #2
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: October 6th, 2015

Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.

But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

I read The Jewel last Summer and I really enjoyed it. It was fun. Also, I think I like this cover even more than the first. So pretty.





's Pick:



Title: Slasher Girls & Monster Boys
Author: various, stories selected by April Genevieve Tucholke
Series: anthology
Publisher: Dial
Publication Date: August 18, 2015

For fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Lois Duncan, and Daphne Du Maurier comes a powerhouse anthology featuring some of the best writers of YA thrillers and horror

A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.

Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.

Fans of TV’s The Walking Dead, True Blood, and American Horror Story will tear through tales by these talented authors:

Stefan Bachmann
Leigh Bardugo
Kendare Blake
A. G. Howard
Jay Kristoff
Marie Lu
Jonathan Maberry
Danielle Paige
Carrie Ryan
Megan Shepherd
Nova Ren Suma
McCormick Templeman
April Genevieve Tucholke
Cat Winters

I don't read all that many anthologies, but I loved April's series about delicious devil boys with sparks and burns, so I know she won't fail to impress with this collection of thrillers. And some of my other favorite authors' works are included, which makes me doubly excited to get my hands on this.


What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!

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Labels: amy ewing, anthology, april genevieve tucholke, harperteen, penguin, slasher girls & monster boys, The Jewel, The white rose, thriller, waiting on wednesday (wow)

Judging a Book By Its Cover: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

We so borrowed this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. Basically, it's about getting a child's perspective on the story inside the book based on just the cover art. It can be hilarious, but it can also be enlightening.

Okay, I totally missed doing these posts with Katie, and it looks like it's been right at a year since our last one. While cleaning recently, I found the folder that I kept her previous iterations in -- all 33 of them! -- so I begged April to see if Aubrey would be up to contributing, too. Lucky for me, she was! =)






This week, the girls are working on the following book:

Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Author: various
Series: anthology
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you're going to fall in love with My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by 12 best-selling young adult writers (Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de La Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, Laini Tayler and Kiersten White) and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, there's something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have 12 reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.

Behold, the girls' attempts at recreating My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories, edited by Stephanie Perkins...

Aubrey's masterpiece & guess:

Aubrey says:

"I think it's about people who love ice skating at Christmas time. And they live in the snowy mountains."

Aubrey is quite familiar with living in the snowy mountains. I have to say though, the orange skater looks like he broke his leg, but  I didn't tell her that. lol. I'm reading this book slowly right now. A story here, a story there. It's pretty cute so far. Love this time of year!




Katie's artwork & thoughts:

Katie says:

"I think it's a Christmas story and it takes place at night. And I think it's about them having fun and them all skating together."

Hehe...I love this just as much as I loved the book! I think it's adorable that Katie picked her two favorite couples to depict, rather than doing all twelve couples. Actually, what she said was, "I don't have to do all of those people, do I?" It's her vision so I just let her roll with it any old way, and I like the direction she took.

This book is seriously such a cute holiday read. You can read my review here. There's something for everyone...really! Some stories from favorite authors and some from authors I'd only ever heard of, but all of them were worth a read. This anthology definitely got me in the mood for some holiday cheer!


Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of the girls' artwork and their thoughts on the story's premise?

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Labels: anthology, aubrey, beautiful covers, christmas, contemporary, cover art, favorites, happy new year, holidays, judging a book by its cover, katiebug, st. martin's press

{Audiobook} Review: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories, edited by Stephanie Perkins

Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Author: various
Narrator(s): various
Series: anthology
Length: 12 hrs 55 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Source: from publisher via Netgalley, audiobook via library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you're going to fall in love with My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by 12 best-selling young adult writers (Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de La Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, Laini Tayler and Kiersten White) and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, there's something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have 12 reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.

Every short story in a collection like this can't be a winner for every reader, but I dare anyone to say that they read all of the stories in this anthology and didn't feel at least a little holiday cheer by the end. Some of these stories were written and narrated by favorites of mine, while others were by authors and narrators I've only ever heard of...if that. I tried to go into this audiobook without knowing who wrote each story, and even though the author is stated before each story, it was so quick that I missed a lot of them at first. But my curiosity got the better of me and I just had to know who certain stories were written by. Some were kind of obvious and some were complete surprises. Here's how they fared all in all:

Midnights by Rainbow Rowell and narrated by Rebecca Lowman - ★★★★★

This story, I had no problem whatsoever guessing the author. It felt very reminiscent of Fangirl, which is by no means a complaint. It's just that RR really knows how to write a coming-of-age story that feels genuine. Midnights chronicles several New Year's Eves in the MC's history with the love interest in a somewhat random order to fill in some blanks and show how this story's couple came to be where they are this New Year's Eve. It was bittersweet and everything you expect from a Rainbow Rowell story. And I don't think I will ever approve of anyone but Rebecca Lowman as narrator for RR's stories...she is perfect.

The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link and narrated by Fiona Hardingham - ★★★★

This story probably won't resonate with most readers the same way it did for me, but I kind of loved it. I don't think I can say I've actually heard of Kelly Link before, but this haunting tale of a love that defies logic -- not to mention the borders of the living world -- has intrigued me enough to research the author to find more of her works. Also, it probably helps that I love Fiona Hardingham as a narrator, and her performance made this story that much more interesting. Her accent also made it feel more authentic.

Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña and narrated by Henry Leyva - ★★★★

I've been meaning to check out this author's work for some time, so I was happy to see that a short story from him was included, especially as it lent some diversity to the anthology. Loved the male perspective...that was a definite plus. Not so sure I loved his love interest, considering the circumstances, but I liked how the scholarship kid made out in the end. Never heard anything narrated by Henry Leyva as far as I know, but I really bought his performance.

Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han and narrated by Kim Mai Guest - ★★★★

Another favorite author paired with a favorite narrator; this makes my heart happy. Especially since this story was kind of like the movie Elf but with a female protagonist. It was bittersweet, much as I've come to expect from Jenny Han, but even so, I felt a twinge of hopefulness there at the end, despite it all. Also, I think I would give this story the award for best title in the anthology, even if the story did feel like the shortest one in the bunch.

It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins and narrated by Samantha Quan - ★★★★★

This story was definitely cute. Like, make my heart sooo happy cute. So, of course it's from Stephanie Perkins. She knows how to write love interests that just melt my heart. And she writes normal girls who get themselves all flustered over said heart-melting love interests. And I like the homage to Charlie Brown. I'm not familiar with this narrator, but she did an outstanding job of making me fall even harder for these characters.

Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan and narrated by Dustin Rubin - ★★★

I've only read Levithan's collaborations with other authors, including John Green and Rachel Cohn, so I only know how his characters bounce off of another author's characters. Without that added narrative, this story just fell flat for me. I was pleased to see that a LGBT story was included in this collection, but I wish the romance would have jumped out at me the way they have in the author's previous works. Another narrator I'm not familiar with, and honestly I can't say the performance was all that memorable either.

Krampuslauf by Holly Black and narrated by Julia Whelan - ★★★★

This story was another win for me, and not just because of the favorite author and narrator combo. I liked the contemporary start the story had but loved the fantastical turn it took. After listening to this story, I had to look up Krampuslauf to see if it was a real thing because I was so intrigued by where it took the story...it is a real celebration and one I'd like to witness some day.

What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Foreman and narrated by Abby Craden - ★★★

I've only read If I Stay and Where She Went by Foreman because I'm not sure that anything else by her would be a good fit for me. Case in point, this story. It features a mixed couple getting to know each other, feel each other out without offending one another with stereotypes and generalizations. I liked that aspect, but I just think maybe it was just a bit too heavy-handed in this story. Or it's Foreman's writing style that didn't work for me. Another unfamiliar narrator that did a decent job, though.

Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire and narrated by Lincoln Hoppe - ★★

This was my least favorite story in the whole anthology. I should also probably mention that I never read further than the first book in the Hourglass series, either. I'm just not a fan of McEntire's writing style or the fact that I never connect with her characters. This story was basically one of those in which a good girl makes a bad boy question his wicked ways. That can usually be a fun scenario, but it was just boring in this case. I liked the narrator, though.

Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White and narrated by Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez - ★★★★

Well, butter my biscuits! I totally expected to be disappointed by this story because I've all but given up on the author's work up until now after finding myself unable to finish the Paranormalcy series, but I was very happy with this story. I really, really thought it was going to take a more magical turn, but I'm glad it didn't. Basically, the MC is soooo ready to graduate and leave her sad life and tiny town behind her...until a cute new boy enters the picture and gives her a reason to stay. That's not even the best part, though! Family present and accounted for. Diversity. And standing up to physical abuse. And it managed to be quirky and funny, something her previous books attempted and it fell flat. Not in this case. And the narrator was legitimately good, especially her accents and pronunciations.

Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter and narrated by Shannon McManus - ★★★★★

I've never read an Ally Carter book before, but I am now convinced that I have to read them all. (I know, Summer...you've been telling me this for ages now.) I love when starlets want to disappear from the limelight because I imagine that most do from time to time. But I also love a takes-no-sh!t love interest, too, and the one in this story is kind of the best. As is his family and the whole situation the MC finds herself in. Carter may soon become a favorite, and it doesn't hurt that she's paired with another of my favorite narrator's in this audiobook anthology. This was definitely one of the highlights of the collection for me.

The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor and narrated by Ann Marie Lee - ★★★★★

In a collection of mostly contemporary tales, Laini Taylor manages to stand out, as usual. This was by far the most fantastical of all the stories in the anthology, and it was also probably the most melancholy. But it was oh so evocative, as I've come to expect from Taylor, and I am in no less awe of her exquisite prose than I was when I finished her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. But this is the problem with fantasy short stories: they always leave me wanting more of the world and characters, and I know I'll never get my wish. I've also never experienced an audiobook narrated by Ann Marie Lee, but I'm a fan after this story.


A bit of a mixed bag, for sure, but there's a little something for everyone here. I don't read many anthologies, but I heartily recommend this one.

Oh, and did you know that the couples on the cover actually represent the couples from the stories? How cool is that?

source

GIF it to me straight:

About the editor:

Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, and ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME. My next YA novel will be horror—a teen slasher published by Dutton.

Find Stephanie:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Labels: anthology, audiobooks, christmas, contemporary, favorite authors, favorite narrators, favorites, holidays, my true love gave to me, reviews, stephanie perkins

Review: Grim by Ellen Hopkins, Julie Kagawa, Amanda Hocking...

Title: Grim
Author: Various
Series: n/a
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: February 25th, 2014
Source: received from publisher via NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Step into a world of dark and twisted fairy tales, with stories by Julie Kagawa, Amanda Hocking and more...

In the days when fairy tales were first spun, they weren’t the sweet and cheerful stories we tell today. Back then, fairy tales were terrifying. They were a warning to the listener to stay out of the night, to keep away from the mystical and ignore the mysterious. Prepare to open a treasure box of the unusual and the macabre.

Grim features some of today’s best young adult authors, sharing their own, unique retellings of classic fairy tales from around the world. These talented writers, many of them New York Times bestsellers or award-winners, put their own spin on these magical worlds.

Ellen Hopkins
Amanda Hocking
Julie Kagawa
Claudia Gray
Rachel Hawkins
Kimberly Derting
Myra McEntire
Malinda Lo
Sarah Rees-Brennan
Jackson Pearce
Christine Johnson
Jeri Smith-Ready
Shaun David Hutchinson
Saundra Mitchell
Sonia Gensler
Tessa Gratton
Jon Skovron

.

Over the past few years, Anthology books have grown on me. The few that I’ve read have been really good. Grim was good, but it wasn't my favorite. There were some great stories in here, but there were also some that didn’t grasp my attention at all. Throughout, it was very hit or miss for me.

The Key by Rachel Hawkins – I’m not sure I would have opened up the book with this one. It was good, but it ended pretty abruptly. I would have liked to know what happens. I know it’s a short story but jeesh, give it an ending please. It deals with psychics and was pretty suspenseful so I’ll give it that.

Figment by Jeri Smith-Ready – This one was really clever. Figment is a little good luck charm Eli is left with, a gift from his estranged rock star father after he passes. This isn’t an ordinary good luck charm, it’s the real deal, and it talks. I loved Figments character, but most of all I loved the message in this story.

The Twelfth Girl by Melinda Lo – This story reminded me of a Bratz movie on Netflix. My Daughter watches this one Bratz Fairy movie sometimes, and I could not stop thinking about it the whole time reading this. I don’t really know what is in this story, I don’t think it ever truly says, but it is reminiscent of the whole fairy realm. It could just be the underworld, but there were things that made me think of the fey. I liked it; it was dark and fit the title of this book I think.

The Raven Princess by Jon Skovron - I really loved this one. A princess is cursed as a baby, turned into a raven. She spends her life looking for the one who can break the curse. It was really cute, and I adored the ending.

Thinner than Water by Saundra Mitchell – This story was bad ass! One of my favorites for sure. I’ve never read anything by Saundra Mitchell before, but now I’m going to have to. The Princess of Flamen lost her mother as an infant. The king has been a doting father for most of her life, until she is no longer a child. Then his affection becomes inappropriate. The Princess of Flamen is not having it and I felt for her. She’s smart as well as beautiful, and wit is a dangerous weapon.

Before the Rose Bloomed by Ellen Hopkins – This is a retelling of The Snow Queen. I didn’t like this one at all. I blame Frozen. I’m so in love with Disney’s version right now that nothing else can compare. It’s well written, but not how it’s supposed to go! It’s just too soon!! Lol (I have issues for real)

Beast/Beast by Tessa Gratton – I’m a huge fan of Tessa Grattons writing. Everything she puts out is beautifully written and this story is no exception. It’s obviously a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I love the original spin she put on it.

The Brothers Piggett by Julie Kagawa – I was not expecting a retelling of the three little piglets! Loved how she gave this tale extra depth. I was always told as a child that there was a wolf who wanted to eat the three pigs…. Boring…. this version is so much better!

Untethered by Sonia Gensler – This story was extremely short and kind of meh if I’m being honest.

Better by Shaun David Huchinson – I’m a huge fan of sci fi and this had a touch of it. Pip is man made but she feels real. Children are dying and they are running out of time trying to figure out how to stop it. Pip was made to help discover a cure. I loved how it played out at the end.

Light It Up by Kimberly Derting – I didn’t really like this one. It’s a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. I hate that story so I had a hard time getting into it and ended up skimming most of it.

Sharper than a Serpent’s Tongue by Christine Johnson – This one also didn’t stand out for me. By this time, I was just ready for the book to end. Oh and whoa to all the bad language. Not that it bothered me, I’m a sailor, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

A Real Boy by Claudia Gray – This is retelling of Pinocchio but he’s a robot, not a wooden. I’m not a fan of Pinocchio but this version was pretty awesome. I really enjoyed it. Also, Claudia Gray is another author I hadn’t read yet, so now that I know I like her style, I’ll have to pick something else up by her.

Skin Trade by Myra McEntire – This one turned me off right away. Opening page… a guy walks into a strip club… nope, not interested. I knew I wouldn’t like this one so I just moved on.

Beauty and the Chad by Sarah Rees Brennan – This was another meh for me. Meh’s are to be expected when reading anthologies. The problem with this one is, there is already a Beauty and the Beast retelling earlier on in this book. Compared to Tessa Gratton’s contribution, this one was not that great, at least in my opinion.

The Pink by Amanda Hocking – I read a book by Amanda Hocking a few years ago. It was okay, but I wasn’t blown away. This story though, was so awesome. I loved everything about it. Prince Brenn has a special power, he can wish for anything his heart desires and it will appear right in front of him. But that kind of power can be dangerous, especially if the wrong person discovers you have it. I was reminded me a little bit of Rapunzel, but without the hair. My favorite part about this one was the love story. It warmed my little heart. <3

Sell Out by Jackson Pearce – I know see why Pearce is so famous for her retellings. She actually made Snow White Tolerable. (She’s my least favorite princess). It’s only natural that they would close out the book with this story. I don’t own any of Jackson Pearce’s retellings but I will now. Sell Out was great.

I had some trouble picking it up at times, especially when I was in the middle of a story that I didn’t like as much. I couldn’t tell what some of these stories were retellings of… I’m thinking I need to brush up on my fairy tales. You’d think being a mother, I’d be more educated. 

I did like Grim. There were a few stand out stories that I adored. The ones I didn't care for dragged it down for me. Not a bad anthology but I've read better ones. 

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Labels: amanda hocking, anthology, claudia gray, Ellen Hopkins, fairy tales, harlequin-teen, jackson pearce, julie kagawa, kimberly derting, myra McEntire, rachel hawkins, retellings, reviews, sarah rees brennan

Short Story Sunday #8: 'Til the World Ends by Julie Kagawa - feat. Thistle & Thorne by Ann Aguirre

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Short stories are awesome.  They give us in-depth insight into characters, providing anecdotal proof of why some characters are they way they are.  They entertain by creating a certain mood or focusing on a singular effect...some instance in a previous body of work (or one to follow) that might have been glossed over or ignored completely in a longer novel. 

And so, every Sunday for the foreseeable future, I would like to highlight short stories and novellas set in worlds I've already come to love and learn a little more about some of the secondary characters in my favorite novels.  I'll be underscoring some of my favorite aspects of these short works of fiction, in addition to offering up a mini review of each work.

This week I'm featuring a short story from an anthology focusing on the end of the world as we know it:

Title: 'Til the World Ends
Author: Julie Kagawa, Ann Aguirre & Karen Duvall
Series: Blood of Eden, book #0.5 (prequel)
Publisher: Harlequin Luna
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Source: from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Dawn of Eden by Julie Kagawa

Before The Immortal Rules, there was the Red Lung, a relentless virus determined to take out all in its path. For Kylie, the miracle of her survival is also her burden—as a doctor at one of the clinics for the infected, she is forced to witness endless suffering. What’s worse, strange things are happening to the remains of the dead, and by the time she befriends Ben Archer, she’s beginning to wonder if a global pandemic is the least of her problems...

Thistle & Thorne by Ann Aguirre

After a catastrophic spill turns the country into a vast chemical wasteland, those who could afford it retreated to fortresses, self-contained communities run by powerful corporations. But for Mari Thistle, life on the outside—in the Red Zone—is a constant struggle. To protect her family, Mari teams up with the mysterious Thorne Goodman. Together, they’ll face an evil plot in both the underworld of the Red Zone and the society inside the fortresses that could destroy those on the outside... for good.

Sun Storm by Karen Duvall

Sarah Daggot has been chasing storms since she was a child. But after the biggest solar flares in history nearly destroy the planet, she becomes a Kinetic, endowed by her exposure to extreme radiation with the power to sense coming storms—in the cosmos and beyond. And she’s not the only one. Sarah believes the Kinetics are destined to join forces and halt the final onslaught of the sun. She’ll vow to keep trying to convince the one missing link in their chain of defense, the enigmatic Ian Matthews, up until the world ends.

This week, I'll be reviewing Thistle & Thorne by Ann Aguirre.  Time permitting, I'm hoping to get to Sun Storm by Karen Duvall later this week and review it on a future Short Story Sunday post.  That's the plan, anyway.  :)

Thistle & Thorne by Ann Aguirre

So, I don't know why I was under the assumption that this short story was a precursor to the Razorland series.  Maybe it's the names...they seem reminiscent of the ones given to the brats once they were of age.  (I was probably thinking of Thimble, right?)  At any rate, once I got past the fact that this was a new post-apocalyptic world Ann Aguirre had created, I found it much easier to immerse myself in the story.

In fact, this story flew by once Thorne's character was introduced, which is honestly pretty early on.  He plays a rather important role.  Don't get me wrong, I really liked Mari's no-holds-barred attitude, but all her plans went out the window the minute Thorne Goodman stepped into her life.  Don't expect any big romantic declarations of undying love or anything like that, though.  These characters have their own complicated lives to get in order before they can find time for love...though, they would make a very good match.

This short story is a brief glimpse into a dying world, where half the population lives in opulent fortresses while the other half struggles outside the fortress walls, paying "the bossman" for safety.  But no one is really safe on the outside.  The degradation and squalor of this world is due in part to chemical spills and earthquakes that ravaged the landscape many years before, but the people have done nothing to slow its further decline.  And that's sorta where Mari Thistle and Thorne Goodman come in.

I really, really hope that there's a full-length novel planned to follow this short story.  The intensity of this story and the pacing both kept me riveted, but the world itself has me intrigued, as well.  The colorful cast of characters doesn't hurt either.  All in all, this was an explosive story sure to delight fan's of Aguirre's Razorland series.  Here's hoping there's more where this came from!

Rating:  

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Labels: ann aguirre, anthology, harlequin-teen, novellas, post-apocalyptic, reviews, short story sunday, til the world ends