I love how Robin Reardon takes the common ordinary coming out story that we all love and adds other major themes that transform the ordinary into the I love how Robin Reardon takes the common ordinary coming out story that we all love and adds other major themes that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
This time the "other issues" include parental divorce following the loss of a sibling, converting to Islam, sailing, psychics, photography, and falling for someone who's not only intersex but of a very different financial strata.
These themes all blend together to give a unique and engaging read that is never quite what you expect and never run of the mill. The characters are some of the most likeable she's written about to date and while the ending is a hopeful and satisfying one, I'll miss my new friends. If Robin ever runs out of new areas of interest I'd love for her to revisit some of the characters from her earlier books. In this one, like her earlier works, I'd like to know more about how these people's stories continue....more
I'd heard of this book for years but never many details, but after reading The Giver I was curious and picked up a copy at a thrift store when I saw iI'd heard of this book for years but never many details, but after reading The Giver I was curious and picked up a copy at a thrift store when I saw it. It's a very fast read and certainly aimed at younger audiences but it's certainly worth the reading time and perhaps a suitable substitute for The Diary of a Young Girl for younger readers. ...more
I've seen a number of documentaries on the history of Israel so very little in this book was entirely new to me but it was great for building empathy I've seen a number of documentaries on the history of Israel so very little in this book was entirely new to me but it was great for building empathy for folks on both sides of the conflict. I highly recommend it. ...more
A.J. Brandiosa and his best friend Tully have finally made it! They're on the Moose Jaw Saskathewan AAA hockey team The Cyclones. All that working outA.J. Brandiosa and his best friend Tully have finally made it! They're on the Moose Jaw Saskathewan AAA hockey team The Cyclones. All that working out has finally gotten rid of A.J.'s pesky baby fat and he's starting to like the way that he looks and the way that he can accomplish things on the ice that have always eluded him. Tully has always been the popular showboat both on and off the rink. But when A.J. gets a bit too physical in an early game and gets labelled as a "Bad Boy" and the team's enforcer it's A.J.'s name that gets in the paper and A.J kinda likes the attention. But then A.J. discovers that his best friend is gay. Worried about his own reputation and even more worried by his feelings about Tully that he now sees in a different light, A.J. must re-evaluate everything in his life and how's he gonna do that when it was always Tully that he could confide in?
Born and raised in rural Michigan, when I first heard about this book I was intrigued. What's not to like about an award winning coming out story that features masculine rural guys and hockey players no less? Then I read some of the negative reviews...
One 2012 review called this 1989 Governor General Award winner incredibly dated. After reading the book myself I believe that that's a bit unfair. Growing up in a remote rural area is a bit like growing up in the past and I'm pretty certain that much of the way that Moose Jaw is painted in this book is just as true today as when the book was first published.
Another reviewer objected to Tully's telling A.J. that A.J. wasn't gay and because Tully was a gay guy, A.J. took his word for it. Fact is, I believe that A.J. really wasn't gay, though he might have been willing to try it for Tully. A.J. was attracted to women throughout the book. Yes, he had some erotic thoughts about Tully as well but they mostly unsettling for him. And the guy's had a dynamic where Tully did tell A.J. how to think about things. This was really just an extension of their instigator-follower type of relationship.
On the whole this was really a well thought out story of two guys redefining their relationship in the aftermath of one of them coming out. For me it read as realistic and insightful and still as relevant as when it was published over 20 years ago. I'd recommend it. ...more
Sam Parma is a sixteen year old who's been given a chance to caddy for the President of the United States in a Pro-Am tournament due to his uncle's coSam Parma is a sixteen year old who's been given a chance to caddy for the President of the United States in a Pro-Am tournament due to his uncle's connections as a professional golfer. Even younger brother Matthew and sister Renee are involved. But Sam is the narrator of this tale and while it's a tale of golf, it's also a coming of age tale and a tale of mistakes and recovery.
The story is told in a pretty convoluted, angsty teen style that could have been a bit more reader friendly but the essential charm is there and the denouement is worth the trip. But that's the thing about golf... Yes, you go around and around and you still end up back pretty much where you start. But if you do it right, you learn a little something, have a little fun, and discover again that it's worth the journey.
*** Note: I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest and impartial review ***...more
In this sweet paranormal romance, Zack Parker and his best friend Noah Harper have spent every summer together at the lake from the time they were fivIn this sweet paranormal romance, Zack Parker and his best friend Noah Harper have spent every summer together at the lake from the time they were five. But then Zack spoiled it all last summer when he broke down and kissed Noah. Though Noah seemed fine about it at the time, the next day Noah told him that they could no longer be friends and disappeared from Zach's life.
Now, it's a year later and try as he might Zack's feelings for Noah haven't abated one bit. Now he's back at the lake with his family for their last summer together before college. And much to his surprise Noah's there as well but somehow he's changed...
I've not read much M/M vampire fiction and certainly nothing that might be considered a Twilight clone until I heard of this book. I was intrigued with the parallels and by the fact that Twilight written by a woman from Arizona set it in Washington State while this woman who lives in Washington state set her story in New York.
Overall the book is a fast-paced fun read but is not entirely in keeping with the mood of its title. This tale concentrates on that honeymoon period in a relationship when the the two lovers finally get together. The scenes of discovery and forging of new bonds are sweet and a pleasure to experience. The sex scenes are clearly skewed toward the romantic. And while there are difficulties to overcome, they seem almost too easy given the abilities and the love of the main characters. If you're seeking the angst of a typical Gothic tale, seek elsewhere.
The audio-book version is read by Michael Stellman who ably portrays Zack Parker as the slightly emo, slightly whiny narrator of this tale.
*** Note: I received a copy of this audiobook for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review ***...more
The second installment in the Twilight series read by Ilyana Kadushin is as good as the first. Her voice is perfect for Bella's POV and the few times The second installment in the Twilight series read by Ilyana Kadushin is as good as the first. Her voice is perfect for Bella's POV and the few times she "does voices" her Mike Newton and Jacob are spot on.
By all means this is a fun way to re-read the books but be forewarned, the awkwardness of Ms. Meyers prose is accentuated when heard out loud. ...more
On my second read-through the ending of this book STILL bothered me. Talk about abrupt!
This writer can tell a good story but she CAN be annoying as wOn my second read-through the ending of this book STILL bothered me. Talk about abrupt!
This writer can tell a good story but she CAN be annoying as well. I sometimes loved her prose for example in describing the book store..."the smell of unread words hung in the air"
Also, I enjoyed how Sam's POV has a much higher awareness of smells. It was evocative of the time he spent as a wolf.
Yet, on the other hand, the author's use of flashbacks without any chapter headings to indicate that, felt like she was being intentionally obscure without being clever.
The story told here and the characters that we meet deserved a better rating and would have gotten one if the author had done a better job of storytelling....more
This is the third installment in the Russel Middlebrook series about a young guy going through the angst of coming out as gay.
In this installment we This is the third installment in the Russel Middlebrook series about a young guy going through the angst of coming out as gay.
In this installment we have Russel being torn between maintaining a long distance relationship with a guy that's perfect for him or a local jock that's already broken his heart once but claims to have reformed.
Unlike the earlier two books this one is told from two different perspectives. We have the story as seen from Russel's POV and as seen from Min, his bisexual best girl friend's POV. Rather than interlaced chapters these two stories are formatted as a flip book where either POV can be read first and then the book flipped and the other side read.
Several readers have commented negatively on this formatting but I enjoyed it. Initially the "he said/she said" perspective wasn't as enthralling as in Flipped where the alternate POVs are chapter by chapter. But, I read part of Russel's perspective and then switched to Min's POV when I felt it was appropriate and having that freedom was nice. There are a couple of reveals in Min's POV that worked particularly well and made for a much more satisfying story, but I'm not sure that they would have worked as well if I'd simply read Russel's POV from start to finish and then went back and read Min's.
Either way, I suggest that you read it for yourself and decide.
One final point... Kevin Land is portrayed as a bit of a self-centered jerk throughout most of this book but if you walk away thinking that that's all he is, I'm guessing that you missed something that the author was trying to say. ...more
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke
Elliot, a kid that WAS the victim of bullying moves toThe only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke
Elliot, a kid that WAS the victim of bullying moves to a new school for a fresh start. But the PTSD associated by his earlier problems is constantly aggravated by the even more insidious bullying in his new school. This time he's managed to avoid being the target of the bullies and is even invited to become one of the perpetrators. Does he have the courage to suffer the fate he fears awaits those who turn the bullies down?
Bullying is an important topic and it deserves thinking about but for most of its length this book is as bleak as they come.
In what feels like a cross between Lord of the Flies and The Chocolate War, I'd say that this is an important read but certainly not an enjoyable one. It's the literary equivalent of spinach. You may know that it's good for you but you still probably won't enjoy the experience of consuming it....more
This is a short "tempest in a teapot" story about 5 youth over the course of five days involved in a cheating scandal. Told from 5 POV's the story manThis is a short "tempest in a teapot" story about 5 youth over the course of five days involved in a cheating scandal. Told from 5 POV's the story manages to capture much of the angst of the social pecking order that is a public school.
One thing that I found troubling in this works is that the parent were predominantly self-absorbed and no wiser than their children.
This isn't intended to be a searing analysis of the issues behind cheating but many aspects of the issue are illuminated. Perhaps not by a spotlight, but more as if by a closely placed sparkler. ...more
Interesting as far as it goes but this isn't a full book. Obviously it's the first in a series but it still felt incomplete.
The narrative is workman-Interesting as far as it goes but this isn't a full book. Obviously it's the first in a series but it still felt incomplete.
The narrative is workman-like if not inspiring and I'll probably reda the second installment if it crosses my path, but I was not moved enough to feel any great need to seek it out....more
A somewhat weaker sequel to Perfect Chemistry, this book deals with Alex's younger brother Carlos. I really enjoyed the first book and I particularly A somewhat weaker sequel to Perfect Chemistry, this book deals with Alex's younger brother Carlos. I really enjoyed the first book and I particularly enjoyed seeing the characters from the earlier work carrying on with their lives.
Admittedly Carlos was not as immediately sympathetic to me but then I'm an oldest brother of three and I actually liked the dynamic of the second but felt that there should have been more variation.
I did like that Kiara was so cast against type for a romantic lead and she was the character that really kept me interested. I also liked her gay best friend but wished that he'd had a bigger role. But then that's just my perspective.
Still I enjoyed spending time with them all and will certainly tune in again.
I'll be curious to read the third installment. ...more
Sebastian is a teen-ager who's seen his single mom go through a string of unhappy relationships. Though he's convinced that "happily ever after true l Sebastian is a teen-ager who's seen his single mom go through a string of unhappy relationships. Though he's convinced that "happily ever after true love" is impossible, he's seen enough to know the mistakes that most girls make. He's also not above adopting the on-line persona of the hook-up doctor and helping his girl clients land the guy they're smitten with. And while he offers a money back guarantee, he's never missed yet.
But what can Sebastian do when he finds that he's developing more serious feelings for his neighbor, gal pal and best friend Aspen? Just when did she get so appealing? He's clearly getting into uncharted waters and he just knows how these things turn out...
This is a fun light-hearted romance, that is if being inside the head of a hormone-addled teen aged boy who's seen way too much heartache can be light-hearted. It should appeal to the female readers of these kinds of teen romances and has the added appeal of the male POV. Nyrae Dawn does a good job of understanding the male POV and is spot on most of the time. And in the few moments when she's not, she's close enough to not upset the story. (Of course, not all guys are the same so she may be spot on all the time and I just have a different experience set.) Either way, it's a fun read. ...more
Sophomore "A" student Steve York has switched from living in Texas with his astronaut father to barely-scraping-by senior living with his mother in CaSophomore "A" student Steve York has switched from living in Texas with his astronaut father to barely-scraping-by senior living with his mother in California.
What events caused the change and how can the trend be reversed? That's what's revealed in this first novel by the writer who went on to create the hit TV series Veronica Mars.
There are similarities and the later work shows the polish that's been acquired since this debut effort but for all that, the book is worthwhile on its own and makes for a gripping read.
Being very familiar with the TV series (One episode of which bore the title of this novel) I expected similarities and found them but the book is a good read on its own.
If stories about troubled male teen protagonists have any interest to you, this one, told from the kid's perspective is a great read narrated by a kid that certainly less annoying than that whiner Holden Caulfield. ...more
British tween Michael, is dealing with moving house and a feeling of abandonment caused when his newborn sister has major health problems that put herBritish tween Michael, is dealing with moving house and a feeling of abandonment caused when his newborn sister has major health problems that put her in hospital and his parents in a tizzy that often excludes him.
When Michael discovers a nearly desiccated angel?/alien? in his tumbledown garage and a strange home-schooled girl in a tree watching him, (or is she really just watching the birds) the cast is complete.
Certainly this story has a gothic feel that is in the best traditions of English ghost stories but the ambiguity here is perfectly leavened with touches of reality. Are we dealing here with the imaginings of a young mind? Or is this a miracle play? Whatever it is, the mood is curiously balanced with an overwhelming sense of the ambiguous. Possibility balanced with impending catastrophe. Hope balanced with fear.
Even the casual reader will soon be drawn into Michael's world of magic and dread. This should really be required reading for all those authors who purposely omit certain parts of their stories in order to heighten the interest level of the story. While I frequently find that annoying, here it's expertly done and makes for a riveting read.
While some have drawn parallels between this and Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book the higher level of reality in this story made it feel somehow less "safe" for me as a reader. (We all know how the nastiest things only happen in real life) This tale felt riskier and somehow more unsettling.
This book is the tale of a parochial school with an oblivious staff, a misguided and sadistic head with his own agenda and a secret society of studentThis book is the tale of a parochial school with an oblivious staff, a misguided and sadistic head with his own agenda and a secret society of students whose "pranks" are conceived and assigned by an evil, guileful, manipulative kid with a napoleon complex.
I've never been a fan of dystopian fiction. Cruelty and a mob mentality have never been very appealing to me, but with the recent focus on school bullying and having really liked the story behind Cormier's The Bumblebee Flies Anyway I decided it was time to finally dig this out of my TBR queue and read it.
Though I feared another Lord of the Flies, this book doesn't dwell on the savagery quite as much. It's a fast compelling read and the characters are realistic, believable, and to some degree even sympathetic and yet this was not an enjoyable book to read. In some ways it's a Bildungsroman but only in that the hero is disillusioned of his childhood concept that the world is essentially a fair place. In this book we have yet another (though perhaps minor) fall of man but what bothered me about it is that there was very little positive gained. Even when Pandora opened that box containing all the world's troubles a small creature called hope was also released. This story felt pretty hopeless. ...more
Steven's got a secret as he admits in the first sentence of this book. But by the second sentence we know that his secret is that he enjoys square danSteven's got a secret as he admits in the first sentence of this book. But by the second sentence we know that his secret is that he enjoys square dancing. He's also got ANOTHER secret that he's not so forthcoming with. In fact he can't really admit it to himself yet, he's gay.
As one would expect from a book released under the Scholastic imprint, there's nothing too disturbing or too depressing in this book. Aimed squarely at teen readers, it's a basically happy, basically fun-filled, tale of the early stages one young man's coming out. Certainly there are plenty of heavier, more depressing books out there dealing with this topic but this book gives it a light-hearted aspect that is more in keeping with today's sensibilities.
The book is well written, the characters are likable, and the events are entertaining, particularly Steve's accidental foray into inter-species dating. At 219 pages, this is a fast, fun and positive read that entertains and lightens the mood surrounding an event that is too often fraught with unpleasantness. I recommend it. ...more
Loading...
