The Lying Game

The Lying Game
By Sara Shepard
2010
310 (ARC)

Summary: Emma has always wanted a family, so when she sees a strange video of a girl who looks identical to her she begins to search for her long lost twin Sutton. However, when Emma shows up in town, Sutton is missing and everyone in Sutton’s life thinks Emma is her. She’s pretty sure Sutton has been murdered and if she wants to avoid being the next victim she must play along until she can catch the killer and avenge the sister she never had.

Review: The Lying Game is an exciting read with a lot of plot twists and turns. Readers who enjoy mysteries and fast-paced plots will enjoy this new series by Shepard. The characters are of the ‘mean girl’ variety which some might find makes the book seem a little shallow. Despite this, I enjoyed the characters, especially the duality in voice (both Sutton and Emma narrate). Having Emma find out the truth about her sister at the same time that Sutton begins to realize the type of person she was did add an interesting dynamic to the story. Another series to love.

Also by Sara Shepard: Pretty Little Liars series

If you liked the Lying Game you might also enjoy: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, Private by Kate Brian, Deadly Little Secrets by Laurie Haria Stolarz, The Uninvited by Tim Wynne Jones

Additional Info: There will be four books, the second one Never Have I Ever is set to be released spring 2011

Author website: http://www.prettylittleliars.com/author/

Rating: W3/4 C3/4 P4/4 O2/4 PP3/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson
By John Green and David Levithan
2010
310 pages

Summary: It’s not that far from Evanston to Naperville, but Chicago suburbanites Will Grayson and Will Grayson might as well live on different planets. When fate delivers them both to some surprising crossroads, the Will Graysons find their lives overlapping and hurtling towards each other in new and unexpected directions. (from book jacket)

Review: This book is the best of both worlds, with two unique and talented authors creating a seamless incredible story. Each writer has a very identifiable voice which definitely comes across in the alternating chapters and different characters of Will. It creates not only a unique split narrative, but also serves to give the story a lot more character and depth. While many people have praised the bountiful Tiny character as the heart of the novel, I actually preferred the two Wills. Despite the story being about them, they were actually very passive characters. Their inaction and brokenness made their growth that much more compelling. Tiny was always awesome, the Wills had to learn to be. Green and Levithan’s ability to make the ordinary extraordinary is once again captured, proving that these two should collaborate more often.

Also by John Green: Paper Towns, Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines

Also by David Levithan: Boy Meets Boy, Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares, Love is the Higher Law, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist

If you liked Will Grayson, Will Grayson, you might also enjoy: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky, The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

Author websites: http://johngreenbooks.com/ and http://www.davidlevithan.com/

Rating: W4/4 C4/4 P3.5/4 O3.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: S

Book Blogger Hop

Time for the Blogger Hop from Crazy for Books.
What a great idea! I love following readers blogs almost more than I like blogging myself. What a great way to get out there and meet new people who share the same interests as you.

This week’s Question: Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?

I’m pretty broad in terms of genres. I do read a lot of contemporary or paranormal books, but that could just be a reflection of the nature of YA writing. I love dystopian, because the world building is so unique and the characters are usually pretty gritty. I generally find them fascinating worlds to get lost in. I also really love issue fiction, where the character struggles over some sort of illness or problem. The characterization is usually really strong and it’s easy to have an emotional connection to a character or the story. They are also brilliant windows into other people’s lives.

From the Desk

One of my favourite things about being a Children and Youth librarian is that every morning someone puts on my desk all the new books that have arrived at our Branch for me to look over. It’s a really great way for me to know what we have in our collection, and I’m learning about all kinds of great new books.

Considering I don’t have time to read everything, I thought I would highlight some of the books that I find on my desk that look really interesting.

The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith (2010) - Sixteen-year-old Jack gets drunk and is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is kidnapped. He escapes, narrowly. The only person he tells is his best friend, Conner. When they arrive in London as planned for summer break, a stranger hands Jack a pair of glasses. Through the lenses, he sees another world called Marbury. There is war in Marbury. It is a desolate and murderous place where Jack is responsible for the survival of two younger boys. Conner is there, too. But he’s trying to kill them. Meanwhile, Jack is falling in love with an English girl, and afraid he’s losing his mind. Andrew Smith has written his most beautiful and personal novel yet, as he explores the nightmarish outer limits of what trauma can do to our bodies and our minds.

Creepy...but cool!

Coming Soon to a Library Near You

Coming Soon to a Library Near You is a weekly feature inspired by Jill at Breaking the Spine that looks at upcoming books.


This Week’s Book: Always a Witch
Author: Carolyn MacCullough
Release Date: July 4th 2011
Summary: Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother’s prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision— one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady’s maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. (Amazon)

I LOVED the first book in the series. The writing was witty and unexpected and the story was very original. So I’m very excited about this new addition to the series. My only complaint is the cover. I really loved the first one, this one has too much of a Fallen feel to it.

Her and Me and You

Her and Me and You
By Lauren Strasnick
2010
171 pages

Summary: Alex is new in town and feeling a little lonely. That is until she meets the twins; Fred and Adina. Fred is sweet and caring and not to mention incredibly good looking. His sister Adina is beautiful and moody and very complicated. As a threesome Alex is starting to feel at home, but Adina’s bizarre behaviour is confusing and seems to be separating her from Fred. When both of them kiss her, Alex finds herself at the centre of something dark and disturbing.

Review: Her and Me and You is a fast-paced novel with very stylized writing; great for reluctant readers. There is not a lot of plot or character development which unfortunately makes the story feel a little lacklustre at times. The ending especially left me feeling disappointed. However, there was one element of the novel that kept me reading: the compelling characterization of the twins. They are puzzling and enchantingly dark which was completely captivating. Not a fantastic novel, but very interesting. I would recommend Strasnick’s Nothing Like You which is a much better book.

Also by Lauren Strasnick: Nothing Like You

If you liked Her and Me and You, you might also enjoy: The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg, The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard, Leftovers by Laurie Wiess, Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Author website: http://www.laurenstrasnick.com/

Rating: W2.5/4 C3/4 P2/4 O3/4 PP2.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS

Grace

Grace
By Elizabeth Scott
2010
200 pages

Summary: Grace has been brought up to be a suicide bomber, taught that her death will make a difference in the world, that it’s for her people. Right up until she’s about to pull the wire she believes this. But then something changes and Grace decides she wants to live. Now if she is going to make it to freedom, she must leave behind everything, travel with a dangerous stranger and avoid people on both sides who want her dead.

Review: Grace is a completely unique and fascinating read. The writing is sparse and purposeful giving readers glimpses of the story and the world at a time. It can be a tad confusing, but the writing is so fluid it doesn’t seem to impact the overall story. While there is not a lot with respect to plot development, there are elements of suspense and conflict. The main focus is on Grace as she tries to come to terms with her beliefs and her role in her country’s problems. Scott leaves out any identifying characteristics that would make this story about a specific country or people. Instead, by creating a type of dystopia, she is able to tackle difficult and sensitive themes without offending or judging. A gritty and honest tale that should not be missed.

Also by Elizabeth Scott: Living Dead Girl, The Unwritten Rule, Between Here and Forever, Perfect You

Author website: http://www.elizabethwrites.com/

Rating: W3.5/4 C3/4 P3/4 O4/4 PP2.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS