Judging a Book By Its Cover #24: A Kid's Perspective on Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

Okay, so I totally stole 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.  I just discovered her lovely segment, and I immediately requested forced my own five-year-old daughter Katie to provide me with some of her own cover art artwork and then asked her what she thought the book was about.



This week, Katie gave me her take on the following book:

"[I think it's about] a boy and a girl walking to the dock and hugging each other and kissing each other.  And then they looked at the pond."

Cover Art

Endless Summer as envisioned by Katiebug

I actually haven't read this yet -- I bought a copy for a giveaway last summer and snuck in a copy for myself and then never got around to reading my copy -- but I told Katie to pick a book off my shelf while I went to start dinner, and this is what she came up with.  I think she's ready for summer, too.  =)

And I will definitely be picking this up when the weather warms up a bit more.  I loved Such a Rush and I have another of her books due up for review soon.  Jennifer Echols is fast becoming one of my go-to authors for honest and fun YA contemporary novels.

Have you read this book or do you plan to?  What do you think of Katie's guess at the premise?  

Did your little darling create a work of art based on a book this week? If so, be sure to link up with Sara over at Forever 17 Books.

Of note:  This may be Katie's last post for a bit.  I hope not, but with it warming up, it's getting harder and harder to corral her long enough to get a picture out of her.  Maybe we can talk one of Mendy's boys into taking over for a bit.  ;0)

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Labels: cover art, endless summer, jennifer echols, judging a book by its cover, katiebug, simon schuster, summer

{Elementals Read Along} Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Storm
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elementals, book #1
Publisher: Kensington/KTeen
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Source: finished paperback from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys; all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming.

It's official.  I am in love with the Merrick brothers.  Which one?  *shrugs*  Can't I love them all?  Also.  I have officially lost my Elementals V-card to them.  And you know what?  The morning after wasn't awkward or embarrassing.  Those Merrick boys know how to treat a lady.  And they aren't bad to look at either.


I expected to like this book.  All of my friends who are more experienced with the Merrick brothers agree...these books are addictive, much like the brothers themselves.  And I agree completely.  I just didn't know how much I was going to love these boys with their supernatural abilities and all of the angst and drama that unfolds because of them.  As soon as I finished Storm, I wanted to pick up Spark, especially when I realized it was Gabriel's book.  But we have a schedule for this here read along, so I contented myself with the next novella...though I make no promises that I won't peek at Gabriel's story.  (I'll be reviewing Fearless, a novella from Hunter's point-of-view, on Short Story Sunday this week.)

So, about the actual book...that's probably important, too, right?  ;0)  Storm is baby brother Chris's book.  He was probably 11 or 12 when we met him in the Elemental novella, but he has grown into quite the young man...and he's also grown into his Element.  Chris controls water, in all its various forms, while his brothers each control one of the other elements:  earth, air, or fire.  I really like the framework laid in this novel, how the Elementals were explained and how these boys are at risk because of how powerful and potentially dangerous they are.  Thing is, if they weren't provoked, the only danger they'd pose would probably be to themselves as they come into their elements and learn how to control them.


But you know how it is.  People fear what they can't understand or control.  And so it is with the Merrick brothers.  The other Elementals living in town are afraid of what the boys might do.  (There's a history there, but that's the Merricks' story to divulge, and they tell it better than I would, anyway.)  The younger Elementals in town, the less powerful ones, continue to goad the Merrick brothers, specifically targeting the youngest one in this book, and tension ignites until one night, a completely average girl steps in, ultimately immersing herself in a battle she never knew existed, a war that will likely be waged for the duration of this series.  Though I have no doubt some of the players will change.

You want to know about the brothers, don't you?  Fine.  Michael, the oldest, comes off as an ass if you haven't read his novella yet, but I want to weep for what he's endured and sacrificed for his family.  Nick and Gabriel -- the twins!!! -- are identically hot, though one is scholarly while the other is athletic.  They both come off rather douchey at times -- Gabriel more so than Nick -- but the potential for nice guys is there, too.    And Chris, the youngest, is a sweetie but that doesn't mean he's not as tough or volatile as his siblings.  They are brothers through thick and thin, and they fight like them, too.  The banter between these guys -- and pretty much anyone they come into contact with -- is music to my ears.


Becca may be new to the Merrick family dynamic thanks to Chris -- and she may not be entirely welcome -- but she's not the type of girl to back down from a challenge.  She wants answers, especially when her family history is dragged into the mess.  This girl's not going anywhere, especially now that Chris is falling for her.  But things are complicated with Hunter in the picture.  This guy's an enigma, but with each little hint we get about him, I am dying to know more.  So, I'm pretty ecstatic that Spirit (book #3) is his story.

This book has it all:  hot boys, a spunky heroine, supernatural powers, hot boys, tons of conflict and action, awesome characters, hot boys, a love triangle, a storyline that I will follow to the very end, and did I mention hot boys?  And after all these brothers have been through and suffered, I just want to gather them all up in a [shirtless] hug.

What?  Nick approves.

**New Girl gifs aplenty because a) I'm the new girl and b) I imagine a lot of the shenanigans on the show are what it would be like to live with a houseful of boys.  Though, I think there's probably a lot more testosterone kicking in the Merrick household.  =)

Rating:  

Favorite Quotes:

“Nah.” He took a swig of Gatorade, then wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Finding a girl in the kitchen isn't exactly an oddity around here.”
“Charming.”
He glanced up at that, a glint of wicked humor in his eye. “I'm sure you're special, though.”
“Not special at all.” She changed her mind and leaned in to take a cookie. “I just heard my number called and thought I’d better show up.”
He grinned. “No way you're here for Nicky.”

“So she doesn’t like the rain,” said Gabriel.
Nick smiled. “I kind of like the irony.”
“Jesus, you are such a nerd.” Gabriel flung the lighter at him. “Stop using big words.”
“Five letters is a big word?”
Chris sighed. “No one likes the rain.”
“You do,” said Nick. He flung the lighter back to his brother.
Gabriel caught it. “Maybe we should put some money on it, see how long it takes Chris to get her wet.”

“Nick,” he said. “I think I’m going to need you to bite my arm.”
“I think I’m going to need you to run that by me again.”

“If you want me to fix your homework, you need to leave me alone.” Then he spotted her. “You’re back.”
“Yeah.” She glanced between him and Gabriel. “You do his homework?”
“Just the math. It’s a miracle he can count to ten.”
“I can count to one.” Gabriel gave him the finger.”

Don't forget we're discussing this book over on Steph's GR review on Sunday as part of the Elementals Read Along.  You still have plenty of time to join!!!

Elementals series

About the author:

Brigid Kemmerer was born in Omaha, Nebraska, though her parents quickly moved her all over the United States, from the desert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio, and several stops in between, eventually settling near Annapolis, Maryland. Brigid started writing in high school, and her first real “novel” was about four vampire brothers causing a ruckus in the suburbs. Those four brothers are the same boys living in the pages of The Elemental Series, so Brigid likes to say she’s had four teenage boys taking up space in her head for the last seventeen years. (Though sometimes that just makes her sound nuts.)

Brigid Kemmerer finds the time to write somewhere between caring for her family and working at her day job, but sometimes she ends up mothering her coworkers and managing her family. Storm: The Elemental Series was her first novel.

Find Brigid:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Labels: brigid kemmerer, elementals, favorites, kensington teen, must-read, paranormal, read-along, reviews, superpowers

{Audiobook} Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Narrator:  Rebecca Lowman & Sunil Malhotra
Series: n/a
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.
"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."
"What about Romeo and Juliet?"
"Shallow, confused, then dead."
''I love you," Park says.
"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be."

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

So, everyone and their mama has loved this book.  And friends kept telling me that I had to read it, that it was the quintessential young adult contemporary.  I'll give you that it was a pretty great story, but I don't think it was the quintessential anything.  It was just a story about a boy and a girl from different backgrounds, trying to make their love work in a world that seemed set against it.

From all the quotes I've seen from this novel and all the gushing around the internets, I expected this to be a sweeping romance that would blow all others away.  So, in my mind, I'm comparing it to that of Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace in The Fault in Our Stars.  (Fair or not, I can't help it...that book was bursting with the feels and I couldn't stop thinking about it for days.)  Eleanor & Park was cute and witty, but the romance just didn't envelop me the way I had been hoping it would.

Which isn't to say it was off-putting or anything.  It was terribly realistic and reminiscent of the trials of first love:  the awkward interactions in the beginning, that first electric touch, the [sometimes clumsy] first kiss, that sense of urgency.  That was all there and it felt genuine.  What was blossoming between these two characters felt right, even as they learned each other's hope and fears and secrets.  But as they were discovering just how much they meant to each other, I felt like they should have meant more to me...and they didn't.  I just never quite connected with either Eleanor or Park.  Maybe it was the fact that one hid from conflict while the other was more likely to provoke it.  These two were virtually polar opposites, and somehow they found a way to escape into each other.  I get it.  I almost buy it.  But I still don't feel it.

I chose to listen to the audio of E & P based on a friend's recommendation, and though I don't believe I've heard either of these narrators before, I can honestly say they did a bang up job.  Each portrayed the emotion and rawness of the characters with ease, and their voices matched what I would have picked for the snarky Eleanor and the more mild-mannered Park.  The dialogue flowed seamlessly and made for a pretty realistic portrayal.  I'd definitely recommend the audio myself, as it enhanced my overall enjoyment of the novel greatly.

From starting a new school and making friends, to bullying, to home life (good and bad), to young love, Eleanor & Park covered nearly every facet of life at that tender age.  It's poignant and heart-breaking but also hopeful.  It was a powerful story, one that transcends the decade in which it was set, and although I didn't fall in love with the story, I did enjoy it immensely.  The writing was sharp and clever, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.


Rating:  

About the author:

Rainbow Rowell is the author of ATTACHMENTS. She has two novels coming out in 2013 -- ELEANOR & PARK in February and FANGIRL in the fall.

Rainbow lives with her husband and two sons in Omaha, Nebraska. Right at this moment, she is probably arguing with someone about something that doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things -- or trying to figure out how Sherlock faked his death.

Find Rainbow:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr

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Labels: audiobooks, contemporary, eleanor and park, macmillan, rainbow rowell, reviews, the 80s

Waiting on Wednesday: Faking It by Cora Carmack & Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

"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 selection is...

Title: Faking It
Author: Cora Carmack
Series: Losing It, book #2
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date: June 4, 2013

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.

Why Jen's waiting:  I am fairly new to the new adult genre, but it's growing on me.  I really enjoyed Losing It when I read it with Em earlier this year, and I'm glad we get to see Cade's story now.  I loved his character in the first book, and though I like how that story ended for the main characters, I still wanted Cade to get his own happily ever after.

Title: Where the Stars Still Shine
Author: Trish Doller
Series: n/a
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date: September 24, 2013

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

Why Mendy's waiting:  I love stories like this, depressing and tragic, yet still hopeful.  And I love the cover  and title.  J says I really need to pick up Something Like Normal...


What are you waiting on this week?  Feel free to share it in the comments or leave a link so we can stop by!

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Labels: contemporary, cora carmack, harper-collins, losing it, new adult, waiting on wednesday (wow)

Showers of Books Giveaway Hop

Showers of Books Giveaway Hop

April 24th to 30th

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer 

Co-hosted by Books à la Mode

To celebrate Spring and all the good things it brings, we're showering our dear readers with books this April! But you guys know how we love surprises, so we're adding a bit of mystery to this giveaway.  US entrants are vying for a surprise box of books, while a book of choice (up to $15 USD) from The Book Depository is up for grabs for international entrants.

Rules:

• This giveaway is international.   As long as The Book Depository ships to your location, you are good to go.  (You can double-check that here.)  If you are in the US, you will receive the Mystery Box of Books. 
• One entry per household.
• All entries will be verified.  Any entry found to be falsified will result in disqualification of all entries for that participant.
• Winner will be notified via email.  Winner will then have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected.  Please check your SPAM folder!!!
• I am not responsible for lost packages.

Win a mystery box of books (US) --OR-- a book of choice from TBD (INT)!!!

And now on to the fun stuff!  All entries/follows are appreciated!  :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now that you've entered here, be sure to check out the 200+ giveaway stops on this blog hop:



Thanks for entering & happy reading!

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Labels: giveaway hops, giveaways, mystery box of books