Sweet Summertime Reads 2017 Wrap-Up + ONE LAST GIVEAWAY!

I can't believe that I am already typing up my very last Sweet Summertime Reads post for this year. My, how this time has flown by. Even though summer isn't quite over (according to the calendar anyway), my summer ends in just two weeks. I'll be back in the classroom, getting ready for a new school year to begin.

But before we have a send-off to summer, I wanted to re-cap this year's fabulous Sweet Summertime Reads posts. I also wanted to take a moment to thank those who participated this year; whether that be authors, fellow bloggers, or instagram challenge friends, you've each made this round so enjoyable for me. So THANK YOU. It's been another successful, fun, great year!

• In June we kicked off this round of Sweet Summertime Reads with a twitter chat (my first ever!) with YA authors Miranda Kenneally & Trish Doller. I had a lot of fun discussing their 2017 releases with you all and hope to host more fun twitter chats in the summers to come.

[You're Invited: Twitter Chat with Trish Doller & Miranda Kenneally]

• Next Trish Doller stopped by the blog & shared some of her writing inspirations for her new book IN A PERFECT WORLD. If you haven't picked up this YA contemporary masterpiece about discovering & conquering new cultures, then I definitely hope this post urges you to do so.

[Sweet Summertime Reads with Trish Doller]

• What's summer without some of my favorite Adult romance reading? I had to highlight my favorite writing duo Christina Lauren and what better way than celebrating their new release DATING YOU/HATING YOU. 

[Sweet Summertime Reads with Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren]

• For my next post, I was thrilled to have YA contemporary writer Sara Biren on the blog as she answered some of my questions about her debut novel THE LAST THING YOU SAID. Y'all, this is one of my favorite reads of 2017 and I cannot stop talking/thinking about it. I sincerely hope it's already on your radar, if not already in your reading pile.

[Sweet Summertime Reads with Sara Biren]

• The month of June wrapped up with an amazing look at the oh so talented Andi, creator behind Cards by Andrea S. I love the crafty cards she comes up with, especially these one of a kind summer themed cards. Even though this giveaway has ended, you should definitely check out her etsy shop and browse all her other amazing cards.

[Sweet Summertime Reads with Cards by Andrea S.]

• July kicked off with a special treat from YA author Miranda Kenneally as we celebrated the release of her final installment in her Hundred Oaks series: COMING UP FOR AIR. I have really enjoyed this series and feel that this last one is the perfect conclusion to such a fabulous group of books. 

[Sweet Summertime Reads with Miranda Kenneally]

• Next, we had another fun post from fellow Blogger and friend, Estelle. She shared with us how she was beating the heat in the city, along with a fun way to support her local indie you could enter to win a book of choice. Even though this giveaway has ended, there are still plenty of ways to discover your own ways to beat the heat this summer & support your local indies, too.

[Sweet Summertime Reads with Estelle & Beating the Heat in the City]

• I tend to read a lot of contemporary (okay so, maybe that's ALL I read), but I know not everyone does -- especially during the summer. So I loved having Sarah, blogger + friend, sharing some of her favorite Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Adventure books. I felt this post spoke to those who enjoy a wide variety in their summer reading piles and enjoyed adding some new additions to my own!

[Sweet Summertime Reads with Sarah's Summer Reading List]

• The last post for this summer, came from debut author Katy Upperman. Her first novel publishes TOMORROW & I could not be more excited to celebrate her & her writing as part of Sweet Summertime Reads. I hope you'll check out KISSING MAX HOLDEN as it hits bookshelves tomorrow (August 1st). In the meantime to get to know this author & what she's working on next.

[Sweet Summertime Reads with Katy Upperman]

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Thank you again, to all my readers here at GReads! for making this summer feature of mine such a huge success! It has become my favorite thing to blog about, and after its sixth year, I can definitely say I'll be back again next year for round seven!! But before we put a wrap on Sweet Summertime Reads 2017, I have one last giveaway for you... & this one is open to US + International readers (just make sure Book Depository ships to you).

THE SECRET HISTORY OF US by Jessi Kirby

I read this book not too long ago & immediately knew it would be a favorite of mine from YA author Jessi Kirby. She is such a talented author that I feel deserves more recognition. With each story she has written, she knows how to pull on my heart strings and completely engulf me in the story. Her latest does not disappoint. Since it publishes tomorrow (August 1st), I wanted to share one last Sweet Summertime Reads giveaway with my readers, and what better way than a book from one of MY favorite writers. I've been featuring Jessi's books in my Sweet Summertime Reads since the very beginning, so of course it's only fitting to close out this year with her latest.

About the book: Gorgeously written and emotionally charged, The Secret History of Us explores the difficult journey of a teenage girl who must piece her life together after losing her memory in a near-fatal accident.

When Olivia awakes in a hospital bed following a car accident that almost took her life, she can’t remember the details about how she got there. She figures the fog is just a symptom of being in a week-long coma, but as time goes on, she realizes she’s lost more than just the last several days of her life—she’s lost her memory of the last four years. Gone is any recollection of starting or graduating high school; the prom; or her steady boyfriend Matt. Trying to figure out who she is feels impossible when everyone keeps telling her who she was.

As Liv tries to block out what her family and friends say about who she used to be, the one person she hasn’t heard enough from is Walker, the guy who saved her the night her car was knocked off that bridge into the bay below. Walker is the hardened boy who’s been keeping his distance—and the only person Olivia inexplicably feels herself with. With her feelings growing for Walker, tensions rising with Matt, and secrets she can’t help but feel are being kept from her, Olivia must find her place in a life she doesn’t remember living. [goodreads]

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An Open Letter to Jessi Kirby's YA Self

I'm very excited to be featuring a few YA authors on the blog, writing their own Open Letters, through out this month. Not aware of this fab feature? Be sure to check out my introduction post HERE. You can also read my Open Letter To My YA Self post HERE.

Please welcome YA author (and one of my personal faves) Jessi Kirby to the blog! Her novels inspire me as a writer, full of stories that make me feel as a reader, and propels me forward to make an impact with my own words some day. I adore the piece of advice that she gives her teenage self and how influential it will become later in her own life.

Dear Jessi,

If you could please climb down from the roof, or look up from that notebook you’re writing in, I promise this will be worth it. This will be something you’ll want to pay attention to. In fact, it’ll be something that you will probably read over a million times then cut out and paste into that journal with the sunshine on the front. You know the one. It’ll be one of the only journals you keep, and believe it or not, twenty years from now you’ll be showing it to rooms full of teenagers who want to be writers.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s back up.

Do you know that Shelley quote you copied onto the front page? The one you found inside the jacket of your favorite Cure album?

“We look before and after, and pine for what is not; Our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught;
Our sweetest songs are those that sing of saddest thought.”

You chose that quote to begin that journal because a boy you loved broke your heart, and for a long time it was all you could write about. And so you wrote, and wrote, and wrote. Lots of sweet songs, lots of sad thoughts. You wrote about it until the feeling passed, and you moved on, and the words went from sad to hopeful. It’s what you’ve always done, and I’m pretty sure it’s what you will continue to do. And each time, those words of Shelley’s will ring true because life is made up of the heartbreaking and the beautiful and everything in between.

At sixteen, you’ve got an inkling that this is true. Twenty years later, you’ll know it at your very core.

In your life you will encounter people and situations and moments that’ll send you to your knees wondering how and why; and you’ll be given people and situations and moments more beautiful and dear than you thought was possible.

These things will move and inspire you. They’ll tug at your imagination and breathe life and action into that dream of yours that you keep tucked away and safe.

And one day that dream will come true.

You have always been a writer, but one day you’ll write for more than just yourself. You’ll write with the hope that you can somehow capture the heartbreaking and the beautiful and everything in between in a way that does it justice. And you’ll write with the hope that maybe, just maybe, those words will one day do for another person what Shelley’s words did for you.

That’s where the journal and the teenagers come in. Not only will you write for teens, but you’ll have the chance to talk with them about what you’ve learned and what you know about dreams and broken hearts, and about writing and life. And that will be more amazing than you can imagine right now.

So keep writing. And keep that journal safe. It’s a beginning, and one day it’ll be about more than just that boy who broke your heart.

Jessi Kirby's website | twitter | goodreads 

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Have you entered the GIVEAWAY for this feature? Click the image below!

Save the Date: Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Save the Date is a fabulous feature created by the amazing Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner.  The idea behind this feature is to get the word out early for books we've read before the pub date, but our full review won't be posted until later, closer to its publication.

About the book: When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake. [goodreads]

add to goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

to be published by HarperTeen on April 21, 2015

Jessi Kirby is an author that has easily made her way into my favorite contemporary writers of the young adult contemporary realm.  She crafts an authentic, beautiful story that will pull at your heart strings.  Her latest novel tugged so hard my heart broke into pieces, only to be put back together again, as she's known to do.  Things We Know by Heart takes a deeper look at the ugly side of grief, something I can definitely relate to.  As the world around you moves on, you're still stuck, sinking in a quicksand of loss that sometimes feels almost unbearable. 

Quinn has just lost her boyfriend, suddenly and far too young.  The world she held so close to her own heart has now been ripped out piece by piece.  In an attempt to sew those pieces back together, it becomes her mission to find the recipients of her boyfriend's donated organs.  The last one, his heart, poses a challenge as the recipient chooses to remain silent and private.  But Quinn, as determined as ever, seeks him out anyway, hoping to stay anonymous with her intentions.

This story delves much deeper than just the tragic loss of a loved one and shines bright with the beginning steps of grief, pulling one's self from beneath this quicksand and learning to walk an entirely new path.  I was swept away by the beauty of something that can be so heartbreaking, focusing on the rich, exquisite words that filled my own heart, causing me to fall in love with yet another one of Jessi Kirby's novels. 

Waiting On: Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby
To be published: April 21, 2015 by HarperTeen

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake. [goodreads]

WOW. This is my most anticipated read of 2015.  If this is your first time coming across a Jessi Kirby book, then I hope you'll take a minute to discover her previous titles Moonglass, In Honor, and Golden -- all of which are among my favorite YA contemporaries.  I have no doubt this next one will make that list as well.  There is so much emotion lying in that description, that I just know her words will have a physical impact on me once again.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Blog Tour: Golden by Jessi Kirby + Giveaway!

As part of the blog tour, hosted by Mundie Moms, author Jessi Kirby has stopped by today to discuss all things Golden.  There is so much richness in Jessi's writing, that it was difficult to choose which questions I wanted to ask her.  From the setting, to the characters, and all the inspiration that made this story what it is, I chose questions which I thought were interesting and would provoke others to pick up Golden.  It's easily been placed in my top favorite books I've read, and I encourage others to experience its beauty for themselves.


Golden by Jessi Kirby
To be published: May 14, 2013

About the Book From Simon & Schuster: Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference. 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

G: Your stories are placed in such vivid locations that as the reader it makes me feel as though I'm actually there. What made you choose the setting for Golden? Do you have any personal ties to this place?

J: I definitely have personal ties to the setting in GOLDEN! I didn’t call it by it’s real-life name in the book, but Parker’s story is set in my hometown, Mammoth Lakes, CA. It’s a small ski resort town that felt beautiful but tiny at the same time. I did a blog post on it a little while back, sort of a visual tour of the real places behind some of my favorite scenes in the book.

G: Which scene in Golden did you first envision (non-spoilery of course)?

J: Hmm…this is tricky without being spoilery! Those revelatory scenes really were the first ones in my mind. Beyond that though, a scene I pictured really early on was the night of Shane and Julianna’s accident—the storm, the icy road, and the frozen lake.

G: I love the idea about the notebooks, and how each student was asked "what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" It caused me to reflect on my own life and ask myself the same question. What would teenage Jessi have written in her notebook?

J: Shall I show you? I kept lots and lots of notebooks as a teenager, and this is one of them:

I wrote mostly poetry in my notebooks, but if I’d been asked to answer that question back then, I would have said, without a doubt, that I wanted to be a writer and live a life of passion and inspiration. And then I would’ve gone and expanded on that in overwritten, flowery prose-- which is exactly what I did in my “Personal Statement” essay for college applications. I wish I had it still. I just remember it was about the color red and talked mainly about living an inspired life.

G: Since I'm a huge music fan, I have to ask, were there any songs or artists you pulled inspiration from while writing Golden? If not, is there a song now that resonates with you when you think of this story?

J: Of course! I make pretty extensive playlists for each book I write, but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say there are two songs that I think of when I think of this story. The first one, “Arms,” by Christina Perri, is Julianna’s song in my mind. It’s beautiful, and sad, and hopeful all at the same time. And Parker’s song is “Little Cosmic Girl” by Brett Dennen. I love this one! For me, it sums up all that she learns throughout the course of the story.

G: Between Tyler [Moonglass], Rusty [In Honor], and Trevor [Golden], which boy has been your favorite character to write? I like how you always put a bit of snark in your boys, but keep them loveable too.

J: Ooh, that’s a tough one! I’d like to say Tyler or Trevor because they’re both sweet and funny. But if I’m being completely honest, Rusty was the most fun to write—for the exact opposite reason!

G: What future projects are you working on now; anything new that you've written that you can share with us? If there's a future story in the works for Tom Petty's "Learning to Fly" I might just die a little, hehe.

J: You’re so funny! I LOVE that song, and it’s still hanging around in the back of my mind, waiting for the right story to come along. I am working on the next story right now though! It’s due out Summer 2015, and is a love story through and through, but a very complicated one. Taylor Swift’s “Treacherous” is THE theme song. I will leave it at that.

Thank you so much Jessi for answering my questions & for giving readers more insight to your beautiful story.

About the Author:

Jessi Kirby is the author of Moonglass, which was an ABA New Voices selection in 2011; In Honor; and Golden. When she’s not writing, she works as a middle school librarian. She lives with her husband and two children in Crystal Cove, California. Visit her at JessiKirby.com. [Simon & Schuster]

My Reviews: Moonglass, In Honor, Golden





The Giveaway: Jessi Kirby Prize Pack! Thanks to Simon & Schuster, fill out the form below for a chance to win GOLDEN + Jessi Kirby's other books. This giveaway is open to US residents only, participants must be 13 years or older, & PO Boxes are not accepted.  Good luck!

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Golden by Jessi Kirby

Golden by Jessi Kirby
Published: May 14, 2013 by Simon & Schuster
Received: ARC for review from publisher

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference. [simon & schuster]

There comes a moment every so often when I read something and it forces me realize that I read A LOT.  So much that some things are good, others are just ok for entertainment... and then the rare finds that simply take my breath away and remind me why I love the power of literature so much.  Jessi Kirby has left me with those feelings (and so much more) with Golden.  It's a story that resonates deep within me and I have the urge to experience it over and over again.

It's a simple story, really.  A girl living by the rules her whole life; always doing what's right and expected from her.  But then a moment presents itself, allowing her to make a choice.  Do something bold and daring, that no one would expect?  Or follow the path that's been handed to her?  Right from the beginning this story caused me to reflect on my own life.  I found myself evaluating my own choices and deciding if I, too, chose the comfortable path.  When a story hits you so hard that it causes personal reflection, you realize something amazing is unfolding on the pages.

There is a story inside a story with this one.  Parker Frost finds a journal that's been written 10 years earlier by a graduating senior who devastatingly crashed in a snow storm one fateful night.  Her and her boyfriend's supposed deaths have been the town's nightmare, but also part of its history.  In their memory, a scholarship has been made for graduating seniors to pursue their dreams, that were cut way too short for them. Parker is in the running to receive this scholarship, but the journal uncovers stories and truths that have been dormant for far too long, causing Parker to reevaluate her own life and look more deeply at the choices she's about to make.

I love how Kirby took us inside the story of the journal, but still kept it relevant to Parker and her present day story.  The two worked so beautifully and left me guessing what would come next.  Golden is not just a story about Parker, and the choices she makes; but it's also about the supporting cast and how their choices reflect those around them -- for better, or worse. 

Jessi Kirby has been a favorite author of mine because of her previous novels, Moonglass and In Honor, but there is something so unique about Golden that stands out from the others.  Her growth as a writer is obvious in the words she weaves around this bittersweet mystery.  Kirby's storytelling really took form in this one and submerged me, as the reader, right into the novel itself.  The references to Robert Frost's poems throughout swept me away and worked so beautifully with the story she created.  Golden has reminded me to be bold, be daring, choose something out of the ordinary; because you never know where that path may lead you... unless you try.

Save the Date for: GOLDEN by Jessi Kirby

Save the Date is a fabulous feature created by the amazing Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner.  The idea behind this feature is to get the word out early for books we've read before the pub date, but our full review won't be posted until later, closer to its publication.

GOLDEN by Jessi Kirby is the type of story that will light a fire from deep within you and keep burning long after you've finished the last chapter.  There are so many beautiful, wonderful things for me to express about this novel, but I am going to wait until my review is posted to go into full detail.  Go ahead and pre-order a copy of this one, if you haven't already.  It's a book you'll want to devour as soon as it's available, and then revisit Kirby's eloquent imagery to savor over and over again.

About the Book From Simon & Schuster: Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Waiting On: Golden

Golden by Jessi Kirby
To be published: May 14, 2013 by Simon & Schuster

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost may be a distant relative of Robert Frost, but she has never taken the road less traveled.

Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a mystery in her lap—one that might be the key to uncovering the truth behind a town tragedy, she decides to take a chance. [goodreads]

Author Jessi Kirby is an instant read for me. So naturally when I found out about her next novel, it instantly went on my "to be read list". This story in particular sounds interesting. I like that the character is a distant relative of Robert Frost and I really like how one of his poem's is quoted on the cover. So excited for something new from Jessi Kirby!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

In My Mailbox {72}

I only picked up one new book this week.  I've got lots to tide me over for a few weeks - especially with all those preorders that just came in!  This book though, I had been meaning to read for awhile now & thought it would be a great transition from all those heavy (yet so unbelievably good) contemps I've been reading lately.  Plus I got some other bookish goodies in the mail this week, too. Check it out!

Purchased from B&N for my nook:

Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire

The lovely Melissa Buell attended the Summer Lovin' Tour in California recently & snagged these wonderful goodies for me!! THANK YOU MELISSA!!!! <3

- Signed bookplates from: Jessi Kirby & Morgan Matson

- Cute bottlecap key chain from Jessi Kirby

- Bookmarks for Melissa Buell's book, The Seventh Blessing

What's in YOUR mailbox this week?

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

In My Mailbox {70}

I got two special books in my mailbox this week.  Both of which I've read, but since their paperback releases were this week - well I just had to buy them!  I am IN LOVE with the paperback edition of Moonglass. Seriously. That sunset is gorgeous & the scene fits the book so perfectly.  When Jenny Han announced there would be bonus CONRAD material in the paperback of We'll Always Have Summer, well there was no question there.. of course I needed this book!!!

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

We'll Always Have Summer (Summer, #3) by Jenny Han

The bonus material inside We'll Always Have Summer are the letters Conrad wrote to Belly. I won't tell you when or why he wrote them (it may be spoilery), but I seriously screamed out loud when I saw this in one of the letters - CHRISTMAS BEACH COUCH!!!!!!!! If you know me, then you know it's my favorite scene in the whole series (it's in book 2).  I even got Jenny Han to sign my book with it :) Oh Conrad... *sigh*

What's in YOUR mailbox this week?

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

(I choose to not comment publicly about the plagiarism controversy that came to light this week in the book blogging community. I will state that I do not condone those actions; however, I do support weekly features that bring books to people's attention & encourages them to read.)

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

In Honor by Jessi Kirby
Published: May 8, 2012 by Simon & Schuster
Received: ARC from the publisher - thank you S&S!

Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences? {goodreads.com}

I first fell in love with Jessi Kirby's writing in her debut novel, Moonglass.  Her ability to create a story centered around a character's personal growth really hit home with me.  In both novels, grief plays a heavy role.  What I adore so much about Jessi Kirby's story-telling is that she does not focus on the death per-say, but rather the life that still needs to be lived. 

The main character Honor has just be given the news that her brother has been killed while serving the military in Iraq.  What we soon learn is that her brother is (was) the closest living relative to Honor.  The brother-sister duo have grown up relying on each other ever since their parents passed away when they were young children.  Honor has always looked up to her brother for guidance and reassurance.  She never quite understood his reasons for joining the military and leaving her behind.  In the wake of his death, Honor discovers a letter that he had written to her months before.  In this letter are tickets to a concert 3 states away and one last request of fulfilling a dream.  With her college plans about to unfold, Honor makes a split decision to road trip it to California, per her dead brother's request.  On the day her journey is to begin, she runs in to Rusty - her brother's best friend, who's been absent from their lives for quite some time.

As these two characters agree to drive out of Texas and in to the barren desert together, it's obvious this journey is much more than just complying with her brother's letter, and more about self discovery and moving on.  Immediately I was drawn in to the physical landscape of where this road took them.  Jessi Kirby does an amazing job of describing scenery in her stories, so much that I can feel the hot sun beating down on me, and the dry sand circling around in my hair.  There is a particular scene in this book that takes place at a majestic watering hole in the middle of the desert.  I was in awe of the beauty being described, but it was the emotion of that particular scene which left me breathless.  Hand over my heart, sighing a heavy sigh of, wow that is some damn good writing.

This review would not be complete without the mention of the unbearable, yet so so satisfying tension between Honor and Rusty.  It's obvious these two characters have a past as childhood friends.  Now that they've matured and have become seasoned souls, it's their experiences through laughter, wit, sarcasm, and the joint love for Honor's brother for which pull them together and facilitate this story forward.  As the final chapter ended my initial thought was: MORE! I want more!  When a book leaves you wanting more from the characters, the story, the adventure, that is always a good sign.  I adore Jessi Kirby, as she is now becoming one of my favorite YA contemporary writers.  I will pretty much read anything with her name on it :)

I realize I have written this review insanely early from it's publication date, but it's THAT good I had to share my thoughts immediately about it.  In the mean time, if you have not already, check out Jessi Kirby's debut novel, Moonglass.

Just Contemporary: Tough Stuff

November is Just Contemporary month, hosted by Basically Amazing Books and Chick Loves Lit.  If you follow my blog, then you know my true love for YA falls with the contemps.  So when I found out about this month long feature I knew I had to participate.

Each week different topics will be discussed among the blogs in regards to contemporary YA.  The beauty of this genre is it reaches many different outlets.  While one book might leave you breathless from laughing so hard, another may have you clutching it in tears.  My reasons for reading YA contemps are based on that reaction alone.

This week's topic: Tough Stuff

Some people read to escape the hard edges of reality, so they may steer clear of the grittier and more challenging topics in books.  For me though, I welcome it with open arms.  I'm more apt to pick up a book that deals with the "tough stuff" than I am to read a light & fluffy book.  When it comes to contemps, I think some of the most well written books in YA are the ones who dig deep and portray the not so pretty side of life.  The most rewarding feeling you can get from a book is when a character has walked in your shoes, and you're able to identify with them.  It's almost as though that author took bits of your story, and put them on paper.

Death is always a hard pill to swallow in any story.  It's so final.  I know a few readers stay away from books that involve such a heavy topic and I completely understand why.  Death and dying is never an easy thing to read about.  The first 22 years of my life, I was one of those people.  Why would I want to read about someone else's pain?  But then something happened, and my views on death drastically changed.  It was no longer this part of the world that I had heard of; it was now something sitting in my home, obvious in everything I looked at, spoke about, and thought of.  Due to my experience with losing my mother at a fairly young age (I was 22), I have a different approach to death in stories.  When a character explains the ugly process of what one feels like after losing someone, I get it.  I'm right there, in that moment with them.  It's an even more beautiful thing when a character goes through the motions of grieving, breaks down a few hundred times, but eventually knows how to pick themselves back up.  I get that, too.

A few YA contemps I've read dealing with death that stick out in my mind are: Moonglass by Jessi Kirby, The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle, Saving June by Hannah Harrington, Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, If I Stay by Gayle Forman, and The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.

Each of these stories approach death from a different angle, yet I found something common with them all: the capacity to accept, deal, and move forward.  Its a hard lesson to learn in life.  A lesson I wish I never knew.  But that's the irony of life, we never know what cards we'll be dealt.  You just have to play them, good or bad.  If you're on the fence about reading a YA contemp that deals with death, I encourage you to read any of these that I mentioned.  Sometimes the "tough stuff" are the most rewarding stuff ;-)

Waiting On: In Honor

In Honor by Jessi Kirby
To be published: May 8, 2012

Honor receives her brother's last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn't. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences? {taken from goodreads.com}

This book is definitely high up on my list of must-read YA contemps for 2012!  Jessi Kirby blew me away with her sensational novel Moonglass, so much that I'll probably read anything this woman writes.  This story in particular holds my interest for this simple line: "Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn't." I have a soft spot for road trip books that hold a purpose greater than the characters first thought.  Be sure to mark your calendars for this book's release date just before summer.  I bet it will be a HOT one not to miss.


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I receive a small commission from books purchased through the Amazon links provided.

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Published: May 3, 2011 by Simon & Schuster

Received: bought from Barnes & Noble

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.
While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever. {taken from goodreads.com}

The first Tuesday in May packed a pretty big punch of new YA releases.  Moonglass happened to be one of them.  I saw the book being mentioned through out the blogosphere & twitter, but never took the time to really read what is was about.  Then while perusing the new releases on that day, I came across it.  Life at the beach? Family drama? A hot boy? What is this you speak of??  Oh I must want to read this book!  And that is exactly what I did.  Thank you Barnes & Noble for supplying this member with your speedy 2 day delivery (free of charge!).

The story starts out following Anna as she has to leave the comfort of her So-Cal home, embarking on a new adventure in the small beachy town of Crystal Cove.  Immediately I was swept up in the scenery.  The descriptions of the beach side cottages, nestled among the boardwalks & shops, with miles of golden sand stretched out to an endless ocean appealed to me.  I love the beach, after all.  I would be there every day if I could.  So why not visit it through a book?

Anna's father has uprooted her to the same small town that he once inhabited with Anna's mother.  Unfortunately, Anna is not so welcoming of the new digs because it is a constant reminder of one less person that is not around anymore.  Her mother.  This story touches on the concept of what it's like to lose a parent.  The unspoken words between Anna and her father are heartbreaking.  What's left of their little family is hanging on by the fringes; in fear of sharing what really happened and letting it all unravel bit by bit.

Anna relies on the beach, as her true solace from the grief she refuses to deal with.  But even here she is reminded of her mother in the pieces of sea glass that she finds on the sandy shores.  It's the sea glass that remains a constant symbol in Anna's life.  Representing her mother, but also showing that she can deal with the truth of what happened and learn to let go.  As the story unfolds, Anna meets Tyler the cute lifeguard for which her father is reluctant on her getting to know.  Their chemistry was spot on & immediately you knew that Tyler would lend a helping hand in Anna's discovery of finding peace with the death of her mother.

Jessi Kirby's writing made this book difficult to put down.  Her attention to detail kept me intrigued and I enjoyed the fact that she did not let on to the story's plot until later on in the text.  I find it more enjoyable when I don't always know, or expect, what may be coming next.  She also has the ability of creating characters with depth and purpose.  I really enjoyed the relationship between Anna and her father.  The awkwardness of a father not knowing how to handle a grieving teenager came across very real to me.  Though I always like a story with more romance, I was still satisfied with the relationship between Anna and Tyler.  The focus of this story was not on them, and I was glad to see the author remember that.

I recommend this book if you like stories set in beach side towns.  I also recommend this book to those who can appreciate a well written novel when it comes to the loss of a parent.