Things I Can't Wait For! (But sadly, have to) *frown* *pout* *stomp*

Fixing Delilah

By: Sarah Ockler
Release: December 1, 2010


Why I can't wait? Sarah Ockler has a beautiful, real way of writing that draws you in and keeps you turning pages. I've raved on and on about her debut, TWENTY BOY SUMMER, and I can't wait to see what she has in store in FIXING DELILAH. (Also, I love the name Delilah -if Finn was a girl this was my top pick- and this cover is so, so pretty!)
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(from GoodReads) Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.
She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Where She Went

By: Gayle Forman

Release: April 19, 2011 (whyyy soooo farrrr????)

Why I can't wait? I don't think there is a book that I am looking forward to more than Gayle Forman's WHERE SHE WENT. When I read IF I STAY, it changed me. Seriously. IF I STAY is proof that you don't have to write a 100,000 word beast to tell a brilliant, moving story. IF I STAY was one of those books that I had to set aside to digest and sob along the way. It quickly became one of my top 5 favorite books of all time. I reread it every couple of months and it still drives me to tears every time. I love Mia (even though I want Adam for myself) ;) and I can't wait to see what has become of her and Adam in WHERE SHE WENT. Why are they apart? I can't wait to get inside Adam's head. If you haven't read IF I STAY (Why haven't you?!) please pick up a copy before WHERE SHE WENT comes out...April is sooo far away.

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(From Goodreads) My first impulse is not to grab her or kiss her or yell at her. I simply want to touch her cheek, still flushed from the night’s performance. I want to cut through the space that separates us, measured in feet—not miles, not continents, not years—and to take a callused finger to her face. I want to touch her to make sure it’s really her, not one of those dreams I had so often after she left when I’d see her so clear as day, be ready to kiss her or take her to me only to wake up with Mia just beyond reach.

But I can’t touch her. This is a privilege that’s been revoked.

It’s been three years since Adam’s love saved Mia after the accident that annihilated life as she knew it . . . and three years since Mia walked out of Adam’s life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard’s rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia’s home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future—and each other.

Told from Adam’s point of view in the spare, powerful prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

The Liar Society
By: Lisa & Laura Roecker
Release: March 2011
Why I can't wait? Do you follow these gals on Twitter or read their blog?  They are not only hilarious, but generous in their support of the YA community and helping writers! I love a good mystery, there aren't enough of them in YA, and I can't wait to read their debut novel, LIAR SOCIETY.
Find the sisters here
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(from Goodreads) Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, who died mysteriously a year before, she’s not so sure.

To: K8Lowry@gmail.com
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceWlsh13@gmail.com
Subject: (no subject)

Kate,
I'm here…
sort of.
Find Cameron.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you.

Kate has no choice but to play detective and prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. The emails continue and Kate is forced to confront the school's resident druggie, a sketchy administrator and even her own demons.

As she moves closer and closer to the truth, she teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not so)shining armor--the dangerously attractive,
bad boy, Liam and her love-struck neighbor, Seth.

The three uncover an ancient secret lurking in the halls of their elite private school with the power to destroy them all.
But the truth doesn’t always set you free. Sometimes it’s only the beginning

Falling Under

By: Gwen HayesRelease: March 2011

Why I can't wait? I was lucky enough to read a draft of FALLING UNDER and I was hooked. I cannot wait to see what changes were made (I hear tell of a different ending) and be transported back to Serendipity Falls. The imagery in this book is amazing and gorgeous. Gwen does a masterful job of  making you feel like you are right there with Theia. Can't wait for this one, and reading more from Gwen! And seriously, how gorgeous is this cover?!

Find Gwen Hayes here
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(from Goodreads) In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down.

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge s

he’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.

Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Bumped
By: Megan McCafferty
Release: April 2011
Why I can't wait? I devoured the JESSICA DARLING series (Sloppy Firsts, etc.) and McCafferty quickly became one of my most favorite authors. I have been waiting for her to release something new to attempt to fill the void in my life left by the lack of new Marcus Flutie and Jessica Darling tales. Plus, anything that compares itself to Heathers, I need!
Find Megan McCafferty here
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(from meganmccafferty.com) "My next novel, BUMPED, goes on sale April 26th, 2011. It was described in Publishers Weekly as “a sharply funny and provocative dystopian novel set in a world where only teens are able to have babies, and are contracted by adults to carry them to term.” I’ve been calling it a cross between Heathers and The Handmaid’s Tale."

Crescendo
By: Becca Fitzpatrick

Release: October 19, 2010

Why I can't wait? Um, because Patch is the new Edward, obviously- except with a personality- a sexy, bad boy one. I don't read a ton of paranormal, but Hush, Hush was an amazing read. Not much longer! If you haven't read Hush, Hush, you still have a couple of weeks before Crescendo drops! (Unless your like me, and your Books-A-Million habitually puts new releases out as soon as they receive them!) (fingers crossed!)

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(from Goodreads) The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush!

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Speak Loudly!

Do you know what *really* gets under my skin. Like to the point where I feel like I am having an allergic reaction because I am so effing mad? (And no, it's not even about Republicans this time ;) )


The answer? People telling me what is best for my children.


Seriously, I can't wrap my mind around why it is that some people believe they have the right to tell you what is, and isn't good for your own kids. (Unless you are like, Britney Spears or something.) (Just kidding, I'm not buying the bodyguard's story!)


This well-meaning nonsense starts before you even give birth. Everyone and their mother's (quite literally) are telling you how everything you are eating, drinking, reading, DOING is wrong for you and your unborn child. And then once you bring the child into the world? Watch out! You're holding the bottle wrong! Why isn't she wearing a hat?! You let him have a pacifier!? You get the point.


It's starts when they are born, and never really goes away. I'm not talking about things that are meant to help and keep my kids out of trouble/danger such as,


"You really shouldn't let her go out with that Lindsay girl, I've heard she is bad news-- and sorta likes the blow."


I'm talking about fundamental things,- like telling me that you know what my kid should or shouldn't be reading.


Yep. Banned books. It is 2010, and there is still freaking censorship. Let me be clear, I will never censor what my children can read, as long as they are at an age where they can digest it, and understand it, I am all for them reading whatever they can get their hands on. I was extremely blessed that my parents didn't shelter us from books, movies and other forms of media. I'm not naive enough to think that all parents have the same point-of-view, but that is mine- and YOU are free to decide for YOUR OWN children what you think they should/shouldn't be allowed to read.(Although, I *hope* that you will be open minded, and thrilled that your kid wants to read in the first place-- aren't there way worse things out in the world today than a paperback?) (And let's be real, there is nothing that you can do to entice a young adult into wanting to get their hands on something more, than telling them that they cannot have it!)


Do you know what you aren't allowed to do? Decide for MY children.


This discussion was brought on in part because September 25-October 2 is BANNED BOOK WEEK. Check out the most challenged/banned books here.


And also, by this (for lack of a better adjective) jackhole of a man, Wesley Scroggin's post on the "filthy", and "pornographic" novel, SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson.


You can read the text of his article here.
I've read SPEAK many times, and I have to say, I can't think of a book that should be banned LESS than SPEAK. In my opinion, it should be required reading in high school. Yep, it is THAT important. SPEAK is not only beautifully written, it is real. And isn't that what teens want? They want to feel understood, and Laurie Halse Anderson does a masterful job of making it clear that she gets them. SPEAK is NOT as Mr. Scroggin's says, "pornographic." That is, unless, you are sick and demented (I'm looking at you, Wesley!) and equate the rape of a child to pornographic material.


SPEAK is not filthy or pornographic. SPEAK is about a fifteen-year-old girl who is raped, and struggles through the book to find her voice and speak the truth. I find it ironic that ole Wesley seeks to ban a book so aptly titled...


Another book in question in his article is one that I have read several times as well, TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler. This book, despite what the title may imply, is NOT about a group orgy with twenty boys. It is a moving story about grief, and what it means to love and let go. Yes, there is S-E-X in it. But let me ask you this:

-Raise your hand if you were having sex as a teenager!-
Yeah, that's what I thought... Did reading a book make you run out and lose the V-Card? I'm going to go with, probably not!


By that same token, does silencing people, and banning their books make these real life issues cease to exist? A resounding- "of course not."


The truth is, we all live in a world that we all wish was safer and more innocent for our children. But we can't control these things. We can't shield them from every single bad thing out there. We can draw them in, and shelter them from any ideas or images that we think may harm them, but what does that really do? They have to break free sometime, wouldn't you rather they be prepared with knowledge, rather than ignorance? The fact of the matter is, the world isn't the perfect place that we wish that it was.


The reality is that every two hours, a youth is murdered. In the next twenty-four hours, over 15,000 kids will try drugs for the first time. And the reality is, that one in three high school students have been or will be involved in an abusive relationship- whether it be rape or dating violence. One in three, people! Think about your three besties from when you were a teen. One of you was a victim. Not talking about it doesn't make the statistic go away. Shielding yourself, and your children from this topic does not make them any safer. How many times will we hear "knowledge is power" before we really start believing it?


So rather than putting all of your energy (and backassward logic) into pretending that these things don't exist, why not do something positive. Volunteer or donate to organizations that help people affected by rape, violence, drug use, etc...? Because you will NOT silence me, and you will NOT tell me what is right for my children.


I mentioned earlier that most teens just want someone to understand. I wish books like SPEAK and TWENTY BOY SUMMER were around when I was a teenager. I needed someone to "get me". Hang in there, you aren't alone! I'm donating copies of SPEAK to local rape crisis centers, as well as women's shelters. If you want a copy of both SPEAK and TWENTY BOY SUMMER, leave a comment. At the end of BANNED BOOK WEEK, I'll choose TWO winners and send you BOTH books, and some other goodies.




"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too." ~Voltaire

SPEAK LOUDLY!