The Bone Charmer by Breeana Shields

The Bone Charmer by Breeana Shields
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
Number of Pages: 400 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: Library

Summary {via GoodReads}: In Saskia’s world, bones are the source of all power. They tell the future, reveal the past, and expose secrets in the present. Each village has a designated seer who performs readings for the townsfolk, and in Midwood, the Bone Charmer is Saskia’s mother.

On the day of her kenning—a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds—Saskia’s worst fears come true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, like her mother, and even worse, a match-making reading that pairs her with Bram—a boy who has suspicious tattoos that hint of violence.

Saskia knows her mother saw multiple paths for her, yet chose one she knew Saskia wouldn’t want. Their argument leads to a fracture in one of the bones. Broken bones are always bad luck, but this particular set of bones have been infused with extra magic, and so the break has devastating consequences—Saskia’s future has split as well. Now she will live her two potential paths simultaneously. Only one future can survive. And Saskia’s life is in danger in both.

She thinks: Split story line? Sign me up!

Saskia is a force to be reckoned with in both plots after the unfortunate mishap with the bones at her kenning. I loved how fierce she was, but, let's be real, she had some seriously dumb moments, too. Which is fine by me because nobody is perfect. I just wanted to reach in a slap her a couple of times. That's all.

I'm also completely on #TeamBram ONE MILLION PERCENT. Mysterious tattoos? Dark, brooding male? Yes, please. Where can I get my own? [Don't worry, honey. I still love you, too!] And, then, when you learn the origin of his tattoos...oh my stars! I'm swooning at just the thought. God B.l.e.s.s.

Ahem.

And, just when you think your heart can't possibly take it anymore...the story lines merge. And, then, the end comes. And, then, you cry. Because it's bittersweet. And, it hurts. And, you need more. But you have to wait until May 2020, and, honestly, that's too far away.

Breeana Shields, you are a master at manipulating my feelings with your words. Thank you.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: January 1, 2011
Number of Pages: 344
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Source: borrowed from library

Summary {via GoodReads}:
Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her younger brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously--and at great risk--documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart.

She thinks: This book will touch you way down deep in your soul. I constantly found myself holding my breath in anticipation for the next horrific event. It doesn't feel real, and yet it happened. We focus so much on Hitler's reign of terror that we push the atrocities from Stalin to the back. It is incredible to me that less than 100 years ago thousands of people were trying to survive any way they could in the Arctic Circle. My heart broke over and over again each time I discovered a new detail. I, for one, now know that I am not as strong as Lina and her family. I know I couldn't have survived; I won't even entertain the possibility. I would be lost and helpless.

Lina's will to survive and strength are not something she starts out with, and that's one of the things I love about this book. She develops it through hardship. She is true to herself throughout the book and acts like a fifteen year old would based on her circumstances and the situations she encounters. She doesn't hide who she is, even though it gets her into trouble with guards and other adults.

I was scared to pick up this book and read it. The subject matter is heavy to say the least, but I am so glad I did. Now, I'm prepared. Every year, my city takes about a month and a half to conduct a city-wide book club to broaden our horizons. This year, the selection is Between Shades of Gray. I have a feeling this is going to be one of the more popular picks!

If you haven't read this book yet, stop what you're doing and read it now. I listened to the book during a recent road trip. You won't be disappointed, but pick a long trip because you won't want to stop listening!

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St. Martina's Press

Publication Date: July 8, 2014

Number of Pages: 310

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Realistic Fiction

Source: borrowed from local library

Summary via GoodReads:

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it's been in trouble for a long time. She still lives her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply - but that almost seems beside the point now.

Maybe that was always beside the point.

Two days before they're suppose to visit Neal's family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can't go. She's a TV writer, and something's come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her - Neal is always a little upset with Georgie - but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she's finally done it. If she's ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It's not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she's been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts...

Is that what she's supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

She thinks: I love Rainbow Rowell. When she writes, it is real and honest and true. Her characters have actual problems with no easy solutions. They are conflicted and heartbroken and raw. I feel like Rainbow Rowell's tag line should be, "I only speak the truth." Maybe John Leguizamo could follow her around saying that line from Moulin Rouge.

{via quickmeme.com}

As for Landline, I couldn't have asked for more. Every woman at one point or another in a relationship has felt the way Georgie feels. Is what I'm doing enough? Do I take him for granted? Am I ruining this? And to have a book written that makes you feel okay about your insecurities is phenomenal. Solidarity sister.

{via tookieclothespins.tumblr.com}

This book will give you hope. It will make you believe in love. It will make you want to fight for what you believe in. You will not regret reading this book...ever. I would love to own physical copies of all of Rainbow Rowell's books. Guess I know what I'm putting on my Christmas list this year! {Will someone remind me that I said this in a couple of months??}

See what others are saying about Landline by Rainbow Rowell:

• Stacey @ Pretty Books
• Kelly @ Effortlessly Reading
• Jamie @ The Broke and the Bookish
• Kevin @ TomeBound
• Joanne @ Once Upon a Bookcase

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
Number of Pages: 328
Genre: Young Adult
Source: borrowed from local library

Summary {via GoodReads}:
Two Misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor...Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Parks...He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds - smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

She thinks: When I first read about Eleanor and Park, I was wholeheartedly against it. Now, before you bring out the pitchforks, hear me out. I imagined these two sitting at the back of a public bus, sharing a walkman, and listening to different mix tapes. I liked that part. It was sweet and romantic. Thinking that it revolved around music, it reminded me of High Fidelity, which I did not care for when I read it. Hence, my resignation in reading this book.

Why did I then decide I wanted to read the book? Well, I was invited to participate in a GoodReads Q&A with Rainbow Rowell. I was perusing the questions she was being asked when I stumbled on one about the ending of Eleanor and Park. Of course, I won't say what the ending is or what the question was, but I will say that it was enough to get me to put the book on hold and read it.

This is me now after having finished reading it...and every time I think about the book at all!

{via knowyourmeme.com}

The thing about this book - it has to be experienced. It needs to be felt and processed and shared with the world. It is a John Hughes movie in a book. More Pretty in Pink and Breakfast Club than Sixteen Candles and Some Kind of Wonderful. It is a book that I will tell everyone to read; it is just that good.

The thing about Rainbow Rowell's books - she knows how to write an ending! I've read all three of her books, and her newest one, Landline, should be arriving at the library for me any day now. Her endings are absolutely perfect whether it's the ending you want or not. You can't begrudge her the ending because it's real and true and you don't feel cheated in the slightest.

If you haven't read any of her books, DO.IT.NOW!! You will not be sorry. I promise. So.many.feelings.

See what others are saying about Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell:

• Stacey @ The Pretty Books
• Jane @ Dear Author
• Excellent Reads
• Lisa @ Read Breathe Relax
• Gillian @ Writer of Wrongs

Tease by Amanda Maciel

Tease by Amanda Maciel
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: April 29, 2014
Number of Pages: 336
Genre: Young Adult
Source: borrowed from local library

Summary {via GoodReads}:
Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault. At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media.

In the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment - and ultimately consider her own role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

She thinks: Everyone needs to read this book. I don't care if you think that you're too old to read young adult books, you need to read this one. Why? Because we've all been in this situation. We've either been bullied or have been a bully to someone. I would not be surprised if this book became assigned reading for teens in the future.

This novel is fresh and poignant, tragic yet perfect. It addresses real issues happening in the world today. It is not a piece of fluff. In this book, there is no happening ending - only the right kind of ending in the wake of such a tragedy.

I found my heart breaking for Sara - the main character. Even though she is an unconventional narrator for this type of novel, she's perfectly flawed. She is so lost and so impressionable. I couldn't help but feel if she hadn't been friends with Brielle that she could have easily been Emma, and that's what really breaks my heart. It doesn't matter if you're liked by millions or just one person. People are mean, and, for the most part, they don't think before they speak or do something.

If you take anything away from reading this book, I hope it's that you understand everyone has their own personal demons, whether you know about them or not. Emma does, even though we don't know what they are, but that doesn't justify inflicting any kind of harm. {If possible, I would love to read the story from Emma's POV.}

I feel like I should step down off my soapbox now. I don't mean to be preachy, but as a former teacher, I know the pitfalls of bullying. It's an issue that needs to be addressed and quickly. Okay, that's it now. I promise.

{I rated this book a diamond. I may not lend you my non-existent copy of this book, but I will certainly shout it from the rooftops that you must read this book!}

See what others are saying about Tease by Amanda Maciel:

• Magan @ Rather Be Reading
• Melanie @ YA Midnight Reads
• Jess @ Gone with the Words
• Siobhan @ Conversations of a Reading Addict
• Ttnene @ Never Ending Stories

The One by Kiera Cass

The One {book three} by Kiera Cass
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Number of Pages: 323
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Dystopia
Source: borrowed from local library

Summary {via GoodReads}:
The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown - or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose - and how much she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

She thinks: After I closed the book {a little reluctantly, I might add, because I don't want the story to be over}, I probably looked like this...

{via crzforum.com}

But, in a good way! There are just so many things to process while reading this book that my mind is still reeling. So many things happen, and my heart has so many feelings flowing through it right now that I just don't know what to say about this final "chapter."

It will leave you feeling satisfied that you've stuck with the series to the end. It will make you want to go out and fight for what you believe in. It will probably make you cry too. You will want to read this book cover to cover. And, if you have to put it down for a few hours, please, dear heavens, do it at the end of a chapter. You won't want that kind of uncertainty in your life!!

See what others are saying about The One by Kiera Cass:

• Caitlin @ The YA Bookworm
• Ann @ The Indigo Quill
• Gillian @ Writer of Wrongs
• Jess @ The Cozy Reader
• Sunny @ A Sunny Spot Blog