Hush Hush - Ha Ha

This completely amuses me.

On the streets of Sydney, this is how Simon and Schuster Australia are promoting Becca Fitzpatrick's upcoming release Crescendo...

Um, what do you think of their strategy? Haha. Good times.

(the boys kick in @ 23 seconds)

Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight - Nick Earls and Rebecca Sparrow

Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight is two weeks in the life of Joel Hedges and Cat Davis. 


Everyone knows that Joel and Cat hate each other. Then they end up partners in a writing assignment. By the second paragraph they’re in the thick of an all-out tandem story war.


Then Cat’s dad and Joel’s mum start dating, and they can finally agree on something – it’s got to stop. But will sparks fly between Joel and Cat for all the right reasons as they go about setting a few things straight? 


What ensues reveals a lot about how smug teenage boys are and what teenage girls really think. No, wait – it's about a sane female and an insane male. It's about revenge and mistaken identity. (synopsis from jacket cover and goodreads)


I spent one lazily delicious afternoon grinning my way through this.

And then. 

About half way through, everything kicked up a notch and I couldn't put it down. The build up to the climax was perfectly done, raising the stakes and the level of hilarity.

It was a completely fun book that felt like high school and had me grinning stupidly and occasionally snorting. One of the scenes (where Joel "takes one for the team") had me laughing so much my tummy started to hurt - how do they think up that stuff? Even thinking about the book right now, I have a ridiculous smile on my face - it genuinely cracked me up.

I also loved the spoofy Jane Austin and Matthew Reilly style writing that Joel and Cat wrote to each other, for an assignment, in the story (they emailed a paragraph per chapter, and used it to vent - killing/torturing each others characters, etc). So cleverly done. Classic!

It felt like Nick and Rebecca had a blast writing this and the chapters flowed so smoothly - one of the best collaborative efforts I've come across.

My only criticism is: at the beginning the build-up of some of the subplots dragged a little and I would have preferred to see more of Joel and Cat antagonising each other (in those initial chapters) as they had the whole sharp, eloquent insult thing down pat in the most entertaining of ways.


Praise for Joel & Cat Set The Story Straight

• "Nick and Rebecca are a match made in heaven." The Age
• "One of the funniest and most memorable reads of the year (2007) in YA fiction" Sydney Morning Herald.

I choose this book from Penguin's site - after winning a comp where the prize was $100 to spend (!) Whoo Hoo! If you're an Aussie you should definitely keep an eye out @ your library/book shops for this. Such a fun feisty funny read. Loved it, my mateys. How cool is the premise too? And I <3 Joel.

Cool interview about the book with Nick Earls and Rebecca Sparrow

And Then Everything Unraveled - Jennifer Sturman

paperback

hard cover

Delia Truesdale has no idea her life's about to change forever. She's too busy enjoying the California summer. Her internet tycoon mother, T.K. Truesdale, is out of town, and that means Delia can spend all her time at the beach, surfing. That is, until everything unravels.  

Her mother suddenly goes missing, and everyone thinks she's dead - except Delia, who knows T.K.'s way too organized to simply disappear. But Delia's still sent to New York to live with her two aunts - a downtown bohemian and an uptown ice queen.   

And in case that's not bad enough, she also has to deal with a snooty new school and trying not to fall for the wrong guy. Oh, and finding her mother.  

As she delves deeper into the tangle of conspiracies and lies surrounding T.K.'s disappearance, Delia begins to suspect that the wrong guy may be the right guy...and that some secrets - especially the dangerous ones - were never meant to be unraveled (synopsis: goodreads)

I'm crushing on this book hard.

Mainly because of the voice which is exactly my kind of thing. Clever and funny and quirky, I was grinning my way through this and nodding along at Delia's wry observations. Also, its written in a slight stream of consciousness style, which is just so wonderfully done.

I'm envious of the way Sturman captures the essence of a character and just breathes life into them in a few sentences and mate, you know these people. And you'll love them and laugh at them and will amuse yourself to no end.

I love Delia. Who wouldn't? Even if there was no mystery here, I'd just read pages of her voice. Anyway, the mystery helped drive the plot, but it wasn't overly in-your-face Nancy drew style, more just Delia trying to figure out what happened to her mum and there's some lovely foreshadowing of who could be the bad dude which I couldn't figure out - despite being 30 and highly intelligent ;) - and I liked that mysteriousness about it all.

Delia's Aunt, Charley. I want to be her. Anyway, I want my adult characters to shine this hard and work their way into my heart in just a few paragraphs like Charley did.

And, helloooooo Quinn. Here's a YA dude that can make you swoon with no cringe-y details of hotness (but trust me, he is hot). He is awesome and I wish there had been more of him so thank God there is a sequel. Because I am so there. (Ahh, when it comes in paperback that is, a painful wait, but hard covers aren't in my budget...and they hurt my hand more).

And, I also love that this book has a fresh and innocent feel about it. No swearing or drugs, etc. Very sweet and I wish I could go back in time and give it to my teen self who craved books exactly like this. And craved boys exactly like Quinn :)

I read this book in one day. Good times.

I give it 4 stars of brilliance. 

This cover was made for me. I love the funky illustrated stuff and the girl on the paperback makes me think of Delia (who is half Indian). The colours are awesome.

• And a shout out to the ever-so-cool Mary of Sparkling Reviews who is holding her first international comp and giving away books from this  selection (2 separate posts, 12 books in total) Here to enter  She's a new blogger looking for some <3

xx Nomes

Hi5 - Favourite MG/YA Books to Movies

A meme hosted by Cara @Chasing Words, Anne @Potter, Percy and I and me...

The topic for this weeks Hi5 was chosen by Anne and I love it - but it was HARD. I brainstormed a short list of faves (ah, slashed it down to 32 choices...)

So here's my top 5 picks for MG/YA books made into movies:

#5 The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
(2007 adaption)


I showed this in class and almost every student cried.
Even the eleven year old boys (which the girls thought was totally sweet)
It's a powerful adaption that brings the book to life.
The scenes of Terabithia are stunning and the acting is convincing in a way that will make you remember the magic of make believe and also make your heart ache.

#4 Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
(Disney 1960 adaption)


Has it all: shipwreck, pirates, wild animals, a girl disguised as a boy and brothers in love with the same girl and the coolest tree house you always wanted to live in, plus how funny is Francis? I like the movie better than the book (it's a very boyish-type book, I think).

It also has Fritz... (dude in the middle)

#3 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
(1988 US film adaption: The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking)

The books rock hard and the movie rocks even harder.
One of my fave literary characters ever.
I wanted to be her.
Well, who didn't? :)




#2 Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
(film released in 2000)

Melina wrote the screen play (so, you know, it's beautiful and funny) and Pia Miranda (as Josie) is spirited and generally awesome and Anthony Lapaglia is a fave actor of mine. It's full of energy and emotion and you can't help but root for Josie and her complicated life. Plus, its shot around Sydney in places I have haunted and it feels so Australian that me & my mates just connected with it. It's ten years old now, so it feels a touch dated, but I've chucked up the trailer if you're interested :) Has anyone seen it?


#1 Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
(1985 Television movie and sequel)
No contest for my number one pick.

"Carrots!"

Gilbert and Anne FTW

I don't even know what to say. First off, Anne is just awesome, literary and day-dreamy and wild and stubborn with such a huge heart. And Gil <3 One of my top literary couples ever soo perfectly cast. Anne is just brilliant and Prince Edward Island is stunning. Perfect rainy day comfort viewing and no matter how many times I watch it, I still swoon :) I want Diana Barry as my BFF and still get teary when you-know-who dies... Plus, it's funny, clever, touching, charming, full of soul and have you heard Gil say: "I'm sorry"? LOL!

Some of my Runner-ups:

• I Capture the Castle - I blogged about the book verse the movie earlier Also Henry Cavill is in the movie...
• Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers - the 1960 adaption starring Jodie Foster - just a whole heap of fun (and the screen play was written by the author)
• Nim's Island - so so good (and the book's written by an Australian author)
• Girl, Interrupted - loved this hard when it came out, also love the book (which is a memoir) 
• Whip It  - it's pretty cool, but I haven't read the book...
• Bend It Like Beckham - actually just thought of this and could probably rearrange things, but cant be bothered. Love the book, love the movie
• The Narnia movies. Love Prince Caspian, but not a fan of how Peter got treated in the movie. He is not like that in the book! Disturbed me a little b/c Pete's a good guy :)
• and yeah, I liked Romeo and Juliet with DiCaprio and Danes when it came out - 1997. Is that uncool? Who cares :)

Also, fairytale retellings: I love Ever After with Drew Barrymore and Amanda Bynes in Sydney White, but they're not really based on a book so I didn't include them in my options.

And I bet there's heaps I haven't thought of, so these are just my picks for now.

Okay, I'm stopping before I get carried away...

Have you got favourite book to movie adaptions? You can do your own post any time this weekend, link it up using Mister Linky and we'll come and check it out.

Also, so many of my mates haven't watched Anne of Green Gables (!) Tell me you have and that you love the movies hard.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Covers

US Hardback

This is creepy-ish and atmospheric. The hair is a bit dramatic, but the foggy tones mute the drama and leave everything feeling slightly wistful. The cool colours appeal to me.

US Paperback

I love this from a distance but up close the placement of that knob on the branch near her nostril just distracts me. Disturbs me, even, haha. Does anyone get what I mean? Anyway, I like her eye shadow and the font and the overall wash of warm colour - which is interesting as the hard cover is all about the cool colours...

UK/Australian

I've heard some people say they love this cover. Um...?

I own this and I am so clueless that I still can't figure out what the red thing is even in the flesh. 

I just don't get this cover.

What does it mean?

Thank God she has the coolest title because I would not pick up the book based on this cover.

German

Why call it just The Forest? I love the original title.

So, this looks slightly melodramatic (that hair!), but I say, bring it on!

I love the title text and the misty green feel about it.

And the ominous robe-y people looming in the background (the sisterhood?). 

Okay, maybe they're not ominous and I am just projecting that onto them, but I'm liking it

French

Ahh, I love French covers.

This appeals to me with that elusive expression on the models face.

And the forest feels post-apocalyptic - barren and desolate.

Plus, the red hood is nicely done, blurred, then focused.

That's it guys :)

Normally, I only show real editions

BUT

I found a fan-made Portuguese edition (the read Portuguese edition is a slightly bluer copy of the US hard cover) designed by Marina from Underworld and I just wanted to chuck it up here :) I think she did a fab job.

Also, 100% fake from Deviant Art I bring you:

Because I so can't wait for the movie.

And I'm liking this fan-made movie poster.

Anyway, back to covers. 

Which one's your fave?

I'm in the mood for drama and I'm liking the French and the German ones.

The US are fine too.

I do feel a bit ripped off with the Aussie edition

but the title makes up for it... kinda :)

Cover Comparison Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Bailey @ Abyss

My Name is Memory - Anne Brashares

Australian/UK

US

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short.  

Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.  (from goodreads)

Thanks to that slightly epic synopsis, I can now move straight on to what I thought about the book ;)

At first I wasn't sure if I would read it all - the first chapter, while definitely compelling, is pretty intense with the depth of romance and the soul mate connection thing and I wasn't sure if it was a too hard-core love story for my taste...

However, it swiftly moves along in chapters that not only alternate in POV, but also in time periods including ancient settings and exotic and varied locations around the world. While a lot of these chapters recounted the love and history between Daniel and Sophie (Lucy) they were not so focused on the love, but on the tragedy.

Reading Daniel's chapters had the feel of reading a fable and stories of old, lyrical and sometimes powerful. The writing had a lovely lilting feel to it.

What I liked:

• The settings. Brashares really did an outstanding job of taking the story around the world and each time period felt authentic.
• I loved the little stories of past lives, people long gone, often having lived a haunting tale. There were some moving anecdotes and scenes hidden in there.
• The whole way she created her reincarnation-lore was pretty awesome and intriguing and it made a cool premise. Yeah, I think she pulled it off.
• It's impressive, all she fit in, from war to ancient times to college and the early 1900's Each time period felt authentic and fresh.

What I would have liked:

• Would it have been too much to add in a little humour of light-heartedness for some levity? After a while, I was all, 'this is so damn depressing'. Tragedy after haunted moment after fated circumstance and just-missed-it timing. 
• It's not a funny book. Okay, that's stating the obvious, but I seriously did not smile or laugh once. Okay, I may have smirked in a passionate moment, haha. What can I say, occasional melodrama amuses me. I always like to have a little smile every now and then while reading, just saying.
• Towards the end, I felt Daniel's lives were all a blur of depression, he felt soul-weary and I can't think of things he enjoyed in life apart from thinking about Sophie and pining for her. He felt like he was narrating the tragedy's of his life. Was their love really that strong that everything pales in comparison? Although, he did occasionally impress me with glimpses of talent and every now and then he surprised me with something resembling a personality. Haha.
• Why do hard-core romance books sometimes make me feel cynical? I should be ashamed of myself. (why is this a bullet point? *shrugs*)

Recommended: If you love romance and haunting stories of ancient lives, this is definitely for you. Seriously, I can think of people who would love this. It's got the potential to have girls swooning over the tortured soul who loves his girl with his whole being to die for her (I am not being cynical here, really). Also, it's got a fabulous premise and is well written :)

Okay, so I liked reading it and I'm going with three stars.

Suddenly I feel like my review turned a bit harsh?

Covers: It's fairly obvious to me that the Aussie/UK is the winner. I love the font and the purple and yellow. nice.

You don't agree? What is with the US one? I don't even know what that cover is trying to make me feel or why that would entice me to pick it up... Enlighten me.


And, yeah: in case you didn't realise, this is the same author of The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants. It's being marketed as a YA/Adult Fic crossover.

100 Followers Give-away

Open internationally
Two winners
Your choice of one book

 from some of my favourite reads this year:

My Reviews For:

Sweethearts, Handcuffs, Stolen, The Sky is Everywhere,

  The Sky Always hears Me and the Hills Don't mind

Winners chosen randomly

Comp closes Aug 22 Aussie time :)

And, yay for all my new Aussie and international mates who crush on books as hard as I do. 

Love you guys xx

Enter with the form below :)