What You Left Me

What You Left Me by Bridget Morrissey, 287 pages

“If I Stay meets While You Were Sleeping in this beautiful and heartbreaking novel told in dual perspectives about friendship, family, and all the other threads that bind us together. Martin and Petra meet for the first time at graduation, and though they've shared the halls of their high school for four years without crossing paths, there's an instant connection the moment they're seated next to each other at the commencement ceremony. Then a car accident puts Martin into a coma; and Petra is somehow left picking up the pieces, using friends, family, and shared dreams to keep their surprise connection going. Together they must unlock the truth of his situation, and with time running out, their bond becomes Martin's best shot at waking back up to the life he's left behind.”  This book is one that will make you think.  I liked it, but it was also very sad so it was a difficult book to read.  Teens that like magical realism and don’t mind a sad story will like it.

The Girl Who Could Not Dream

The Girl Who Could Not Dream by Sarah Beth Durst, 379 pages

"Sophie's parents run a secret shop where dreams are bought and sold. When Sophie dreams, her dreams become real, so she is forbidden to have any. Sinister events are set in motion when she is accidentally seen by one of her parents' customers, and it's up to Sophie to save her family." I really liked this story.  This will have a lot of appeal for older elementary kids who like fantasy.  because of the length it's going to be easier to give to kids who like to read but it also has larger type and a little more white space so kids who have a minimum page requirement might also be interested.

Lair of Dreams

Lairof Dreams by Libba Bray, 613 pages

"The longing of dreams draws the dead, and this city holds many dreams.  After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O'Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. With her uncanny ability to read people's secrets, she's become a media darling, and earned the title "America's Sweetheart Seer." Everyone's in love with the city's newest It Girl...everyone except the other Diviners. Piano-playing Henry Dubois and Chinatown resident Ling Chan are two Diviners struggling to keep their powers a secret--for they can walk in dreams. And while Evie is living the high life, victims of a mysterious sleeping sickness are turning up across New York City. As Henry searches for a lost love and Ling strives to succeed in a world that shuns her, a malevolent force infects their dreams. And at the edges of it all lurks a man in a stovepipe hat who has plans that extend farther than anyone can guess....As the sickness spreads, can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld to save the city?" I really enjoyed this book.  Teens who like scary fantasy and aren't put off by the length will definitely want to read this series.

Simmer and Smoke: A Southern Tale of Grit and Spice

Simmer and Smoke: A Southern Tale of Grit and Spice by Peggy Lampman  380 pages

I hail from the South---Arkansas to be exact, and Southern Arkansas at that—and I’m always to drawn to stories that take place in that part of the U.S. And to make the pot even sweeter, it’s a story that evolves around food.

Lampman’s debut novel is the story of two women: Shelby Preston and Mallory Lakes. The story evolves over the course of one year,from December 20, 2010, to December 30, 2011.

Shelby is a young mother, living with her mother, with dreams of becoming a chef. Not only does she love to cook, but she knows that she can never make a good life in Coryville. Determined to make a better life for herself and her six-year-old daughter, Shelby takes the four-hour bus ride to Atlanta to apply for a job as a cook for in the downtown deli of Grasso’s, a supermarket chain.

Mallory Lake writes for the Life Style Section of one of Atlanta’s papers, The Sun. Like many newspapers in 2010, The Sun is facing declining advertising and readership. Rumor has it that the paper is about to close its print doors and go strictly digital. Not only does Mallory have to worry about losing her job, but she’s still trying to figure out why her lover unceremoniously dumped her without a hint of warning.

I enjoyed Simmer and Smoke. It’s a story of strong women who aren’t strong because it’s the cool thing to do. They are strong because they have no choice. It’s also a story of family---the one we’re stuck with and the one we choose to make. It’s a story of food. I wish the recipes hadn’t been regulated to the back of the book. The story would have been more effective if they had been listed in the text.  The plot was interesting and entertaining. For half the book, it was a page turner. For the other half, it bogged down.

I give Simmer and Smoke: A Southern Tale of Grit and Spice 3 out of 5 stars.

The Secret To Lying

The Secret To Lying by Todd Mitchell, 328 pages

No one ever noticed James until the day he changed schools and went to the American School for Mathematics and Science, a residential school for gifted teens.  James decides to make up stories about his life at home and cultivate an image of a tough guy, always looking for a fight, but reformed now.  Most people believe him since no one knew him from before.  However, James starts getting messages from someone online who clearly knows that James’s stories aren’t true.  James feels comfortable telling this person a lot about who he really is but he doesn’t even know who the person is he’s talking to.  And as close as he feels, he still isn’t ready to open up about who he really is and what is really wrong.  I really liked this story.  It felt completely real to me and since it was set in my high school, it also really took me back to that time.  I wonder if I like it so much because it’s really that good or because it was so easy for me to relate, but I think it’s both, which means that I plan to start pushing this book on a lot of the teens that come to the Library.

Nickerbacher The Funniest Dragon

Nickerbacher The Funniest Dragon by Terry John Barto, Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle  34 pages

We all know what dragons to for a living. They protect princesses. And Nickerbacher does that…mostly because his Papa says he must. But Nickerbacher has dreams other than breathing fire and guarding princesses. He longs to be a stand-up comedian.

When Prince Happenstance comes to court Princess Gwendolyn, both Nickerbacher and the Prince learn a few things about chasing your dreams.

 

Excellent children's book.

Eustace

Eustace, by Steven Harris, 280 pages 

In this graphic novel, Eustace is a sickly eight year old, who basically stays in bed all of the time.  Such is a boring life, so Eustace distracts himself with talking to imaginary people (the reader), which is not crazy because they are not imaginary friends (an important distinction).  Eustace shares memories, whether of appalling family members or soup or taking a bath, that gradually become bizarre and outlandish and quite scandalous.  This is not a book for children, or adults who may be offended by nudity or language. It felt like reading a young person's fever dream. 

Sandman vol 6, 7 and 8

Sandman Volumes 6, 7 and 8 by Neil Gaiman, 40 pages, 256 pages, 169 pages.

A quick note. The omnibus I previously blogged about contained most of Volume 6 and therefore I am only counting the uncovered parts in this tally.

Now that the explanation is out of the way these volumes continue from where the omnibus leaves off.

In Sandman Volume 7: Brief Lives Delirium convinces her brother Dream to help her find their long missing brother Destruction. Of course, as it is with any story involving Delirium, the road to finding Destruction is a hazardous one.  This volume really fleshes out Deliriums character and shows that she is more than the airhead she seems. I should also mention that Delirium is still my favorite character.

In Sandman Volume 8: Worlds End we are treated to a collection of stories told by travelers trapped in an inn named "Worlds' End, a free house". These stories are all one shots and really have nothing to do with the actual Sandman story line but are entertaining none the less.

As I had said with the omnibus this is a fantastic series that I really enjoy and look forward to reading more of.

Only Ever Always

Only Ever Always by Penni Russon, 157 pages

This was a very odd book.  There are two stories, one about Claire, whose uncle, Charlie, has just been in a very bad accident.  Her family, including his pregnant wife, are waiting to hear if he will survive.  The other story is about Clara, whose brother, Andrew, is deathly ill and is likely to die without antibiotics.  Claire’s world is pretty much the world we live in, but Clara lives in a broken world, ruled by Bosses and Raiders, who own everyone and control everything.  The two girls’ worlds collide, and while both of them are aware of the other, it isn’t clear if they both are real or if one is dreaming.  It’s an interesting premise but I felt like Clara’s world needed more building.  I had a hard time following everything that was happening and never got a clear picture of her world.  Maybe that was purposeful, but I didn’t care for it.  Teens that like fantasy may like this story, but I probably won’t be recommending it.