Blog Tour Review: Uses for Boys (Author Spotlight + Giveaway)

Uses for Boys

Author: Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Summary:

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical,  Uses for Boys  is a story of breaking down and growing up.

Goodreads | Amazon

Published January 15th 2013.

*

I have to say, this book was completely not what I had expected. I had envisioned a sweet contemporary read about a scarred girl who finally understands that not all boys have to be used when she falls in love. Yet, rather than that, what I got was a novel dealing with sensitive issues, namely sex, family and self-worth.

Truthfully speaking, I'm not very comfortable with books about sex. Usually, I'm turned off by Young Adult books discussing these topics (I'm fine with intense kissing, but sex?!), and good Lord, I'm all the more disgusted by any attempts of description. But, one reason why I read on was because this book dealt with these somewhat taboo themes with astounding flair and finesse; so much that I could get past my disgust and presumptions-- which could have clouded my appreciation for the novel-- and truly move onto understanding the main character, Anna.

Oh, Anna. She's lonely, insecure and broken. And this whole novel charts her journey towards finding who she really is and can be, and it couldn't have been a more beautiful metamorphosis!

In a single parent family, Anna craves for love and attention from her mother-- a woman who does not believe in love. The generations of women in their family have always been abandoned by men and this scars both mother and daughter. Anna's mother deals with it by constantly using men for her own means, always moving from one to another. Neglected, Anna learns and starts making boys her family. 

And the most unexpected thing was, I had never imagined myself being able to empathise with Anna, but I could. My mother is honestly my best friend and I love her so much that if I was Anna, I wouldn't know how to function emotionally. Perhaps, that was why I rooted for Anna all the way, wanting her to find the capacity in herself to love and the courage to be someone different from her mother and grandma.

Reading this novel was like reading poetry, it was simple yet moving. And ultimately, when Anna finally found the strength within herself to leave her mother's life in the dust, I felt triumphant for her.

And this novel deserves to be recognized, for it peeled back the prejudice and ignorance that we had when looking at those girls whom we labelled as "sluts", and made us understand what they need were not catcalls or hurtful nicknames, but compassion and love.


Source: From the publisher for review purposes
Via Netgalley.

Song of the Day: At Seventeen by Janis Ian

Author Spotlight

When Erica was a kid all she did was write. She dropped out of high school and attended the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University where she was surrounded by writers and artists.

But then, in Erica's early twenties, she got a job. She worked hard at that job for 15 years and didn't write a word.

Then this happened: Erica walked into a bookstore and bought two books by Francesca Lia Block. No particular reason, she just liked their covers. Then Erica read everything Francesca wrote. She read all the YA she could. She still does. Erica think's the world that happens between 13 and 17 is everything.

She quit her job. Studied writing. And then spent three and a half years writing Uses for Boys. Now she's working on a new novel and it's like falling down a hole. Writing her first novel taught her nothing about writing the next one.

Official site: www.ericalorraine.com

Twitter: @ericalorraine

Giveaway (Aw, yeah!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: She's So Dead to Us (He's So/She's So, #1)

She's So Dead to Us

Author: Kieran Scott

Summary:

Ally Ryan would rather be in Maryland. She would rather be anywhere, in fact, than Orchard Hill, site of her downfall. Well, not hers exactly—but when your father’s hedge fund goes south and all your friends lose their trust funds, things don’t look so sunny for you. Her mother moved her to Maryland to flee the shame, but now they’re moving back. Back to the country-club, new-car-every-year, my-family-came-over-on-the-Mayflower lifestyle that Ally has outgrown. One bright spot, however, is gorgeous, intense Jake Graydon. But it won’t be easy for the two of them to be together—not if his friends (her former friends) have anything to say about it. Is Ally ready to get thrown back into the drama of the life she left behind?

Published May 25th 2010.

*

Written from the perspectives of both Jake and Ally, this novel takes us down the familiar path of high-school drama, yet still manages to shine bright like a diamond from the growing pile of Young Adult contemporary works.

SHE'S SO DEAD TO US is not conceptually unique, but neither is it your typical run-of-the-mill teenage romance. Two teenagers crushing on each other from opposite ends of the social hierarchy is in essence, almost a Cinderella-esque story. However, add into the mixture an estranged father gone missing, a protagonist who went from riches to rags, fickle friends who each harbour their own dirty little secrets and a boy who puts the play word in "playboy"... And you get something that is intense, emotional and awfully enjoyable. 

You see, sometimes, there is no need for every contemporary tale to adhere to the rules of being wholly realistic. In this novel, there is a huge divide between the Cresties-- rich kids who have exclusive five-course Sunday dinners, Long Beach Island shore houses and cars for their seventeenth birthday-- and the Norms (the name is self-explanatory). Indeed, this divide might seem over-dramatised at certain parts of the novel and the group of friends that revolve around Jake and Ally might appear melodramatic at times. Yet, these are simply just the backdrop of the central story-- the love-hate relationship between Jake and Ally. 

Their love story is wonderful, thanks to Kieran Scott's entertaining writing style. The story flows easily with no difficulty at all and you will be entirely engrossed from the very first page to the last. When Ally first meets Jake outside her old mansion, their encounter is described from both of their point of views, and my heart started pounding so fast as though I was the one feeling the sparks on the spot. Their relationship spans over a long period of time and each of the events that contribute to their romance is unforgettable. There is a major conflict in this novel because of how Jake is torn between his Crestie friends and Ally who is the pariah amongst the Cresties. To see how Jake starts from trying to deny his attraction towards her, to regretting playing hurtful pranks on her and finally, defending her in front of all the Cresties and dating her openly, your heart will wrench in the process, but you will never want to stop reading.

The story touches me because it is a story about teenagers. As a teenager myself, the relationship between Jake and Ally in a school setting is much easier to relate to than those paranormal romances. Never before have I seen any relationship develop so deliciously, to the extent that even a conversation between them will made my heartbeat accelerate!
  

And the climax came at the ending, which was one which eschewed any real resolution and left us groaning on the last page. Strangely enough, I had the weirdest urge to just reread the whole book again and savour every moment between Ally and Jake before I get my hands on the next instalment. 

This is how good this novel is. It's sweet. It's scathing. It's a cut above the rest. 


Source: Purchased

xoxo,
Sel

Top Ten Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2013

I'm sure there are going to be new books that pop up in the course of this year that will make me fall head over heels in love. But, so far, I have these ten that I'm looking out for :) 

The first seven are first novels in the series-- some debuts and some by seasoned authors-- while the last three are sequels that I know I will love!

So, read on!

*

From New York Times bestselling author Patrick Carman, a teen fantasy-adventure of epic proportions. In 2051, some teens have a “pulse,” the power to move objects with their minds. Compulsively readable, with thrilling action scenes and a tender love story.

The year is 2051, and the world is still recognizable. With the help of her mysterious classmate Dylan Gilmore, Faith Daniels discovers that she can move objects with her mind. This telekinetic ability is called a “pulse,” and Dylan has the talent, too.

In riveting action scenes, Faith demonstrates her ability to use her pulse against a group of telekinesis masters so powerful they will flatten their enemies by uprooting street lights, moving boulders, and changing the course of a hurtling hammer so that it becomes a deadly weapon. But even with great talent, the mind—and the heart—can be difficult to control. If Faith wants to join forces with Dylan and save the world, she’ll have to harness the power of both.

Patrick Carman’s Pulse trilogy is a stunning, action-filled triumph about the power of the mind—and the power of love.

I've always loved to read about telekinetic abilities (e.g. Hunting Lila, The Benedict Brothers) more than the other super-natural abilities. It gives me the feeling that the character is pretty much invincible physically and the adventures that come along can just be as outrageous as they can get! This one looks even more promising with romance :D 

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs? 

I'm just head over heels in love with the title, the cover, the font and the storyline all over again. I swear, Jennifer E. Smith has a knack for writing contemporary tales that we've always wishfully dreamed about. This sounds so good, so fingers-crossed that this would be much better than Disney Channel's Starstruck :)

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

I'm just naturally drawn to novels with an Asian setting, especially if they happen to contain some folklore or ancient Gods or whatnot. This is just refreshingly original, something that I've never heard of and even the cover is gorgeous! 

Seventeen-year-old Meg Fellowes is a wry, resourceful thief forced to join an elite group of female spies in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There she must solve a murder, save the Crown, and resist the one thing that will become her greatest freedom–and her deadliest peril. 

For Meg and her fellow spies are not alone in their pursuit of the murderer who stalks Windsor Castle.

A young, mysterious Spanish courtier, Count Rafe de Martine, appears at every turn in the dark and scandal-filled corridors of the Queen’s summer palace. And though secrets and danger are Meg’s stock-in-trade, she’s never bargained on falling in love…

I'm just in love with the Tudors, and the new YA twists just keeps getting better! Espionage and royalty and romance? Count me in :) 

I'm also hosting a blog tour for this novel, so if you are a historical fiction junkie like me, look out for the sign-up announcement!

A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!

Truth be told, I've never read If I stay. I'm terribly afraid of tragedies because I know that the brilliantly done ones will rip my heart out and my tears will fall by buckets. But, this one seems as though there is a possibility of a good ending. Plus, it's got my favourite Shakespeare play-- Twelfth Night. Without doubt, this is going to be magically poetic & painfully romantic, can't wait!

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

The moment I read this synopsis, I knew that this is a book that can't be missed. It's morbidly fascinating, making me smile giddily at River's sweet gestures, but also giving me goosebumps when I entertain a thought about the dark intentions swirling in the background. The concept itself is already  enough to captivate me, the Devil in the form of a boy next door. This is going to both terrify and enthral me!

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to finishing school.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

First in a four book YA series set 25 years before the Parasol Protectorate but in the same universe.

Well, as you should have probably realized by now, I simply cannot resist espionage novels, especially if they are set in a Victorian era or earlier (i.e. Tudor Court). This is just my cup of tea and the fine arts of death, deceit etc. will definitely blow my mind away!

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

It's the sequel to Grave Mercy. Enough said. 

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

I loved SOMETHING STRANGE & DEADLY to bits and beyond. And I want want want to see Daniel and Eleanor back together again, in the City of Lights... And Love.

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting--or stealing--whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir--this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

I've been faithfully following this series even before I started this blog :) It's amazing how Ally Carter comes up with so many amazing cons and deceptions, it never fails to surprise and delight me! Hopefully, Kat and Hale will finally forget about everything and just... Get together already, guys!

Are you excited for any of these books?

Hope you spotted a new release that has you hurrying to Goodreads to add on your TBR shelf ;)

I wish you lots of happy reading and blogging in the next 365 days! Whatever you do, don't forget to enjoy life with those around you (be it books or people) :) 2013 is going to be a magical year, so off we go!

xoxo,

Sel