Consumed by Books: July 2013

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Review of Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett has the unique ability to travel through time and space, which brings him into Anna’s life, and with him a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, the two face the reality that time may knock Bennett back to where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate, what consequences they can bear in order to stay together, and whether their love can stand the test of time.

Fresh, exciting, and deeply romantic, Time Between Us is a stunning, spellbinding debut from an extraordinary new voice in YA fiction.

(Summary from GoodReads)

As far as adult novels go, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger remains very popular, so it seemed only a matter of time before a YA version of that story was released. I read Time Between Us in November, just as winter was starting to set in, and it was the perfect time to do so. If you’re looking for a sweet time travel romance, buy yourself a latte and curl up with Time Between Us.

I was easily pulled in by Time Between Us. Stone does an excellent job of pacing her novel. Plot twists are revealed at all the right moments and the romance keeps the reader turning the pages. Meanwhile, she still manages to fill the pages with lush descriptions of various locations that never slow the book down. I will warn you all now that the main character drinks lots of lattes, hence my recommendation that you acquire one to read with this book.

Speaking of our main character, Tamara Ireland Stone cheated by giving Anna a trait that I always find endearing. Anna was a runner, and as someone who runs (and actually completed a sprint triathlon earlier this year), I appreciated that. Bennett made for a sweet love interest as well. While neither of them were standouts for me, I liked them both enough that I want to see where their story picks up in the next book.

The time travel aspect of this novel was decent, albeit imperfect. There were some elements that didn’t mesh well, or weren’t as nicely explained as they could’ve been. While I’ve seen time travel done better, I’ve also seen it done much, much worse, so I think readers who are less picky than I am will be happy with it.

Time Between Us will be popular among YA readers who love romance. It wasn’t perfect, but the atmosphere was nicely set and my issues with the book were few and far between. Stone is an author I’ll want to read more of whether it’s in romance or another genre.

Disclosure: I picked up an ARC of this book at ALA 2012.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Review of Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

(Summary from GoodReads)

I had been meaning to try out Lindsey Leavitt’s writing for quite some time. Although I already own and , both of which I have not read, I decided to try out Going Vintage. Going Vintage showcases Leavitt’s solid writing and provides a fun, quirky concept.

In Going Vintage, we get to read all about the ups and downs of Mallory giving up technology and getting over her ex-boyfriend. Our society is big on talking about screen time, how young kids today acquire cell phones, etc. Leavitt did a great job of portraying the fact that while many teenagers probably do have a bit too much technology in their lives, it’s also something they need in order to function in academic, extra curricular, and social capacities.

The romantic plotline in Going Vintage was sweet. Mallory met someone interesting shortly after her break-up, and I liked the love interest. Leavitt’s characters were all well written, although I didn’t find any of them especially likable.

My one issue with Going Vintage was the ending. I felt like Mallory went in a few circles with her ex. I also didn’t think the storyline with the new love interest felt fitting.

Leavitt’s books will appeal to readers who seek light and quirky contemporaries. I wouldn’t list Going Vintage as a stand-out-oh-my-gosh-you-HAVE-to-read-this book, but it’s solid writing and something I’d push on readers who had already read more obvious titles. She’s an author I’d be content to test out again, and thankfully I’ll have the opportunity to do so.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Review of Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks

After years of homeschooling, Maggie is starting high school. It's pretty terrifying.

Maggie's big brothers are there to watch her back, but ever since Mom left it just hasn't been the same.

Besides her brothers, Maggie's never had any real friends before. Lucy and Alistair don't have lots of friends either. But they eat lunch with her at school and bring her along on their small-town adventures.

Missing mothers...distant brothers...high school...new friends... It's a lot to deal with. But there's just one more thing.

MAGGIE IS HAUNTED.

(Summary from GoodReads)

Ever since reading Anya’s Ghost I’ve come to have high expectations regarding any graphic novel published by First Second. Friends with Boys actually felt a tad reminiscent of Anya’s Ghost, only because both stories had spooky elements. Friends with Boys was a wholly enjoyable novel and, like Anya’s Ghost, I finished thinking I would have been happy to read more of it.

The characters and setting in this book are really well done, which made Friends with Boys feel like a flashback to my own high school experience. Lucy and Alistair are both quirky people, the type I might have been friends with in high school. I think the illustrative style helped as well—I always knew what the characters were thinking and feeling.

Friends with Boys has an enjoyable story to it. The storyline is complex, but I can see how even a reader going into middle school could pick up, comprehend, and relate to this story just as much as a high schooler. The ghost storyline felt a little reminiscent of Anya’s Ghost, but it tied together nicely in the end. Readers who can’t get enough of graphic novels with a creepy twist will love this one.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.