Crossed by Ally Condie

If you haven't read Matched yet and dislike spoilers, I would suggest that you stop reading now. As much as I dislike giving spoilers, this is the second book in a series and as such, there will--unavoidably--be spoilers for the first book.

Alternating between Cassia and Ky's point of view, Crossed takes you to the Outer Providence and the war that's being fought on the border, where Ky has been placed. Cassia has her heart set on finding Ky again, and she'll do whatever it takes to get back to him. Meanwhile, Ky is nothing more than a decoy, meant to die while in the Outer Providences; but dying isn't in his plans, as long as Cassia is still out there.

I know I'm not letting on about the adventure that the two of them go on in the Outer Providences, but there's a good reason for that and quite frankly, I think it's best that you read about it on your own. With that said though, I will force myself to admit that I did not enjoy Crossed as much as I enjoyed Matched. Why? Because there was a lack of Xander in Crossed and I personally felt that the romance has taken a backseat. It's not that Xander's presence isn't felt, but the romantic tension from Matched seems to have dissipated.

I will admit that I like Indie, a new character brought about in Crossed. She's crafty and smart, but at the same time I have a feeling that she's going to be Cassia's competition. If I didn't like Xander so much, I doubt I'd feel like this is much of a problem--but I really, really like him! There's also Eli, who reminds Ky of Cassia's younger brother and Hunter, a man living in the the Carving.

In Crossed, you'll learn about those who live outside of the Society, the canyon known as the Carving, and a group called the Rising who intend to bring about the end of Society. If you enjoyed Matched, you should probably enjoy Crossed as well--for although I didn't like it quite as much, I will admit that I liked it well enough (I only hope that there will be more romance in the next book).

Crossed by Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, a part of Penguin Group

Release Date: November 1, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own. 

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

I should probably warn you now, I'm not going to summarize Lola and the Boy Next Door like I would for my "normal" reviews. Why? Because there's no way that I'm going to do it justice, so I'm going to do us all a favor by not trying--seriously, I will sound like a huge fangirl. Let me put it this way, I can't imagine hating a novel that Stephanie Perkins writes and as long as she keeps writing, I will keep buying her books. They're sweet, romantic, and best of all, I can't put them down.

I loved Lola's creative wardrobe--and collection of wigs--as well as her two amazing dads! (Actually, I find myself wondering just what kiwi pie would taste like.) There's also Lindsey, Lola's best friend who has a knack for finding out what she wants to know (she's slightly obsessed with Nancy Drew and detective novels). Of course, there's also the absolutely wonderful Cricket Bell. As Lola puts it, he's a boy that you earn, not one that you deserve. He's just so sweet and well, wonderful! Really, and he's rather nerdy in a wonderful sort of way. And yes, I've probably overused the word "wonderful" but Cricket Bell really is that great! Seriously, I'd love to have a Cricket Bell in my life. Have I mentioned that he's quite tall too? Also, the present that he gives Lola? I couldn't help but squee over it!

If you couldn't tell by now, I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door (and the fact that Anna and St. Clair did make an appearance in it). Although you don't need to read Anna and the French Kiss to understand Lola and the Boy Next Door, I'd recommend reading Anna and the French Kiss first so that you'll better appreciate their story before diving into Lola and the Boy Next Door.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Favorite Quotes:

"And being thin makes me look even taller."
"And your tight pants," I add.
Cricket makes a startled choking noise. -pg. 120

And if I'm the stars, Cricket Bell is entire galaxies.  - pg. 334

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton Books (an imprint of Penguin Group)

Release Date: September 29, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Waiting On Wednesday (20)

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

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

Summary via Goodreads:
Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev’s band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she’s abandoning their plans—and Colby—to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie-Colby struggles to deal with Bev’s already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what’s next?

Morris Award–finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

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Confession time! I have never read anything from Nina LaCour before (unintentional rhyme). But I love the fact that The Disenchantments involves a band and what I'll assume is an epic road trip. Also, let's face it, I love the way that the title looks on the cover--although the placement of Nina's name on the glasses feels a little off to me. 


The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour is published by Dutton Juvenile, a part of Penguin Group, and its expected publication date is February 16, 2012. 


So, what are you waiting for this week? 

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Also, super sorry about my lack of posts lately! I'm reading like a maniac right now so that I can get more reviews up--although I have quite a few scheduled. July has been extremely hectic for me--but by next week at the latest, I should be back to my usual blogging routine!

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Imaginary Girls
Author: Nova Ren Suma
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Edition: ARC
* Picked up at ALA Midwinter.

Summary from Goodreads:
Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.
But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.
With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.



My Thoughts:

You know that I'm a sucker for a gorgeous cover--which Imaginary Girls certainly has--but I wasn't too sure, at first, if I'd love the plot. It's paranormal, yes, but in a way that almost reads like a contemporary. That sounds like it might be a bad thing, but trust me, it's not. If anything, it just means that the world Nova Ren Suma created is just that close to realistic paranormal; so subtle that, at times, you can imagine Ruby and Chloe's world as being real. At least, that's how it was for me.

The reservoir plays a huge role in Imaginary Girls and it's evident from page one, when at age fourteen Chloe tries to swim the length of it. It's colder than it ought to be and just when it's at its coldest, she finds a rowboat to grip onto. And in it? A dead girl. With that discovery, everything changes as Chloe is sent to live with her father after the incident and for two years she has next to no contact with Ruby until three weeks before school lets out. Suddenly Ruby is waiting for her in the trailer that Chloe has been sleeping in and shortly after, Chloe is on her way back to her real home with Ruby. Everything is back to normal, or so it seems. But on her first night back home, Chloe sees her, the dead girl and everyone can see her too. Ruby tells her that she's fixed everything, but just what does Ruby mean?

Seriously, that's a reservoir not to swim in. As Ruby tells Chloe, there's still a town in there called Olive and its residents are still in residence, living in the murky waters that were once their home. But enough about that, I can't say much more without getting all spoiler-tastic on you and you know how I try to avoid that. I think my absolute favorite scene in Imaginary Girls has to be about the balloons. Not the ones at the birthday party, but the ones that Ruby ties with red ribbons. I can't tell you why though, only that you'll hopefully understand why it's my favorite once you get there.

When it comes to the characters in Imaginary Girls, I did like Ruby (and in my head, I see her as Zoey Deschanel, although I'm not entirely sure why) who seems to constantly wear sundresses and motorcycle boots. Maybe it's her attitude that I like; she doesn't care about what other people think--well, asides from her sister Chloe, who she loves very much (as in, would do anything for). Chloe on the other hand, I didn't dislike, but I wasn't in love with her either. She really loves Ruby and idolizes her sister, there's no doubt about that; but at the same time, she's probably the only person who rebels against Ruby. I won't get into the guys in Imaginary Girls, but that's mainly because this isn't a romance. (And for that, I must say, "Poor Pete!")

Imaginary Girls is about the bond between two sisters and as such, what Ruby would do for Chloe. More importantly, it's beautifully written and sucks you in. Not precisely a page turner, but a book that you'll want to savor (like an excellent meal or a fine wine). With that, I think I've said all I can say on Imaginary Girls. If the plot appeals to you, definitely give it a go; I can't imagine that you'll be disappointed.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith

Back When You Were Easier to Love
Author: Emily Wing Smith
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: April 28, 2011
Edition: ARC
* Picked up at ALA Midwinter.

Summary from GoodReads:
What's worse than getting dumped? Not even knowing if you've been dumped. Joy got no goodbye, and certainly no explanation when Zan—the love of her life and the only good thing about stifling, backward Haven, Utah—unceremoniously and unexpectedly left for college a year early. Joy needs closure almost as much as she needs Zan, so she heads for California, and Zan, riding shotgun beside Zan's former-best-friend Noah.
Original and insightful, quirky and crushing, Joy's story is told in surprising and artfully shifting flashbacks between her life then and now. Exquisite craft and wry, relatable humor signal the arrival of Emily Wing Smith as a breakout talent.

My Thoughts:

I don't like Zan. Yes, that was my first thought upon finishing Back When You Were Easier to Love. Why? Because there's the version of Zan that Joy fell in love with and then there's the real Zan--who is not a nice person. But it's the idealized Zan that Joy is in love with and when he leaves her in the dust to head to California, she can't come to terms with it. After all, he's left without saying a word to her and he's left her no way to get in contact with him. Joy is sure that if she goes to see him, things will work out and they'll still be together--which is precisely why she decides to go to California on a road trip with Zan's ex-friend Noah.

Your first love really is difficult to lose and I can see how Joy feels that she needs to see Zan again to get "closure" on their relationship. However, she seems a bit extreme to me--having envisioned their reunion and talking about Zan so often that even her friends and Noah want her stop. The thing that I least liked about Joy though, would have to be her judgmental attitude. She thinks that Noah is a stereotypical Soccer Lovin' Kid--her term for the popular kids in Haven--and up until their road trip, she pretty much refuses to get to know him regardless of his efforts to try and get to know her. To me, it came off like Joy was refusing to let Noah redeem himself--having decided that he was the embodiment of the reason why Zan left Haven in the first place. With that said, I did love Noah and as far as I'm concerned, he was the star of Back When You Were Easier to Love simply because he put up with Joy. Not only does he put up with her, but he defends her to Zan--well, saying much more than that would be giving spoilers and you know how I feel about spoilers.

The chapters are short and alternate between when Joy was with Zan and after Zan leaves Haven--which is what leads to the road trip and its various misadventures. Although I cannot claim to be in love with Back When You Were Easier to Love, I'm looking forward to seeing what Emily Wing Smith comes out with next--as I did like her writing style. Overall, if you're interested in Back When You Were Easier to Love, I'd suggest picking up a copy and forming your own opinion on it as personally, I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. If I'm honest, I think it was a bit to do with the ending leaving off at the end of their road trip. I would've liked to see things continue a bit further in Haven--and if you read Back When You Were Easier to Love, you'll see what I mean.


Overall Rating: ★★★ and a half. 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: December 2, 2010
Edition: Hardcover
* Purchased on my own.

Summary from GoodReads: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

My Thoughts:

Anna didn't want to get shipped to the School of America in Paris (affectionately known as SOAP); it was her father's idea for her to attend and Anna doesn't exactly like her father to begin with. On top of this, she knows no French--having taken Spanish in prior years of high school--and having left her friends in Atlanta, she knows no one at school. Happily, this is quickly resolved when Anna meets Meredith--and thus also meets St. Clair (Étienne), Josh, and Rashimi. Needless to say, she's immediately taken with by Etienne and well, his English accent--let's face it, I'd do the same. However, she technically has a boy back home in Atlanta waiting for her (Toph) and well, Etienne has a girlfriend named Ellie who graduated the year before; so for a time, Anna is relatively content being his friend although feelings do develop and over the holiday season, things become more apparent. 


It really was a fun read and Anna's thoughts (and thus, commentary) were thoroughly entertaining; also, well, what girl wouldn't want her own Étienne? Er, granted, I too am a sucker for a British accent and I love that Stephanie had Etienne spouting British slang throughout the book. Can you tell that I enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss? The characters were likable--in my opinion--as they had flaws (Étienne's fear of heights as an example) and I wish I could share with you why I picked his fear of heights as an example, but that'd include a pretty big spoiler, so I shall resist. The fact that when Anna first arrived she tried to avoid ordering food from the cafeteria also made me laugh a bit as it sounds like something I would do too--although I don't think I could go as long as she did on bread.


Anna and the French Kiss had me smiling as I read--quite a few times--and I really loved the ending. It was one of those books that I started reading and then didn't put down until I'd finished and if you're thinking about picking up a copy, I'd like to give you that (gentle) little push to go for it. Granted of course, that now I'm craving decent coffee, amazing pastries, and well, Girl Scout cookies. Yes, Girl Scout cookies. In particular Thin Mints. Why do I mention this? Because they do appear in Anna and the French Kiss and they manage to draw students out like fresh meat would draw out zombies. Anyways, really, if you're looking for something new and fun to read, get thee hence and pick up a copy--or if you're still skeptical, read a little of the first chapter. 

Overall Rating:  ★★★★★

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton (Juvenile)--a part of Penguin Group
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Edition: Hardcover
* Purchased on my own.

Summary from GoodReads: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

My Thoughts:

Matched was one of those books that I knew I needed to pick up. The plot was intriguing, the cover was gorgeous, and the reviews were--for the most part--positive. Happily, I can say that I enjoyed it as much as I thought I would.

Matched begins with Cassia discovering who she's been matched to and at the time, she's extremely happy with the match--as she should be. However, due to a glitch, she glimpses another face--someone else who she also happens to know. The Officials tell her that it's merely a mistake and that her first Match is correct. However, Cassia begins to question her Match and as things progress, this also changes her view of the Officials as well as how things are done.

Between Ky and Xander, I think as far as teams go... I'm still undecided. Xander is the safe choice and he'd do pretty much anything for Cassia; however, on the other hand, Ky is mysterious and as his past is revealed, I can't help but like him too. By the end of Matched, you'll see who Cassia has decided on--well, at least it seems to me that she's decided on him.

With that said, their society as a whole is pretty interesting. Everyone has to carry around three pills--one blue (the first one they receive), one green, and one red--and if they misplace or lose any of them, it counts as an infraction. The Match Banquet can take place anytime after a male or female turns seventeen and at twenty-one, they get married. The amount of 'free' time you have is limited and your activities during your 'free' time are also limited. Poems, music, and paintings have been sorted and those that were not kept were destroyed. There are--in Cassia's world--one hundred poems, one-hundred songs, and one hundred paintings. What I thought was extremely crazy is that no one is taught how to write. It's a crazy place to live and the only thing I find that I remotely like about it (their society) is the Match Banquet. During Matched Cassia mentions that their society gives them just a taste of freedom and never more than that--this is extremely true and as you watch events progress, you'll see why.

Although I can't make any promises, I think you'll be drawn into Cassia's world and as you watch as the lies surrounding her society get stripped away, you'll find it's a page turner. Honestly, I can't really tell you much more than that without dropping spoilers. I can tell you that although the changes in their society play a key role, the romance is very much there and if you've been thinking about reading Matched, I'd suggest picking up a copy.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★