Top 5 Wednesday- Non-YA Books!

I do read a fair share of non-YA books. I actually never really read YA until a couple of years ago, but I really got into them more when I started watching Booktube. So here are 5 recommendations for non-YA books!

1) Carved in Bone by Jefferson Bass. Really, any of this Body Farm series. This is one of my favorite series ever. So far there are 8 books out (the 9th one is expected in 2015, I think) and I have only read the first 4 because I don't want them to be over! If you like CSI type plots, this is for you.

2) Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian. I just read and reviewed this book, my review can be found here. This book was touching, and dealt with some difficult subject matter. And the title...*sigh*...I'm not going to give it away. You need to read it to find out what the title is from.

3) Brain on Fire- My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan. It doesn't get more real than this- a memoir of someone who went through a psychiatric break and fully recovered, writing this book about her experience. Wow. This book grabbed me and held on for every page- I pretty much read this in one day. 

4) Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. This book was beautifully written and dealt with some difficult subject matter. Highly recommended.

5) The "Bones" series/ Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs. I am not recommending these books because they have stellar writing or my breath was taken away by the beauty of the novel. These are just solidly written crime stories that I find majorly interesting and engrossing. 

And there we have it!! 5 non-YA recommendations! 

Review: Amity by Micol Ostow

Published August 26, 2014
Publisher: EgmontUSA

Synopsis: Here is a house of ruin and rage, of death and deliverance.
Here is where I live, not living.
Here is always mine.

When Connor's family moves to Amity, a secluded house on the peaceful banks of New England's Concord River, his nights are plagued with gore-filled dreams of demons. destruction, and revenge. Dreams he kind of likes. Dreams he could make real, with Amity's help.

Ten years later, Gwen's family moves to Amity for a fresh start. Instead, she's haunted by lurid visions, disturbing voices, and questions about her own sanity. But with her history, who would ever believe her? And what could be done if they did?

Because Amity isn't just a house. She is a living force, bent on manipulating her inhabitants to her twisted will. She will use Connor and Gwen to bring about a violent end as she's done before. As she'll do again. And again. And again.

Inspired by a true-crime story, Amity spans generations to weave an overlapping, interconnected tale of terror, insanity. danger, and death.

Review: Ok guys, I can't even sugar coat this...this was my least favorite read of the year. I really really really didn't like this book. Let me see if I can formulate into words exactly what I didn't like.

First thing- the narrators are 12 and you can tell. The language is very young, the concepts and thoughts weren't very well delved out, and there was just a sense of immaturity to the story. Of course, this book is meant for young adult, but still. I have read many a young adult novel that didn't leave me with this feeling.

Second- This story was so repetitive!!  The same phrases and concepts were repeated so so so many times. I am supposing that this was to build suspense and add to the story, however, it just didn't work for me. 

Third- The two timeline plot sounded interesting, but I didn't love it. The voice of the two narrators were very different and you could definitely tell which story you were in (and if you couldn't, the font was different so that kind of gives it away), which is a concern with this type of plot. 

Fourth- I just never really got into the characters. For the most part, they annoyed me. Both of the main characters had unstable psych histories, and both of their families just kind of ignored it! Gwen's mother never said anything to her in fear she would break, while Connor's family had enough other problems that he just seemed to get pushed under the rug. 

I could probably keep going, but I think that's enough. 1 star. While this book did nothing for me, I'm sure others will enjoy.

*This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Nest by Esther Ehrlich

Published September 9, 2014
Wendy Lamb Books

Synopsis: For fans of Jennifer Holm (Penny from Heaven, Turtle in Paradise), a heartfelt and unforgettable middle-grade novel about an irresistible girl and her family, tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship. In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes.
   Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.
   Nest is Esther Ehrlich’s stunning debut novel. Her lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish Nest, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you. 

Review: This book gave me the feels. For Chirp, her whole family, Joey. There were so many different emotions going on throughout the story they just all pulled at the heartstrings. I literally wanted to reach into this book and hug each character, protect them and make them feel better.

To have this much attachment to characters, you need beautiful writing. And that is exactly what I found in this book. From the language to the plot, this book is a well written story. The descriptions are vivid, especially of Chirp's birds, as well as different locations the characters are at throughout the story. 

This story would be a great parent-child read as it touches on many difficult topics and has the potential for great discussions.

Recommended For: Mature middle grade readers, any young adult or adult reader looking for a heartfelt story.

*Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Review: Bad Magic by Pseudonymous Bosch

Publish Date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Synopsis: Magic is BAD.
As in fake. Cheesy. Unreal. At least, that's what Clay, who has seen one magic show too many, thinks.

When words from his journal appear mysteriously on his school wall as graffiti, he never imagines that magic might be to blame. And when the same graffiti lands him at Earth Ranch, a camp for "troubled" kids on a remote volcanic island, magic is the last thing he expects to find there.

But at Earth Ranch, there is one strange surprise after another, until Clay no longer knows what to expect. Is he really talking to a llama? Did he really see a ghost? What is the scary secret hidden in the abandoned library? The only thing he knows for sure is that behind the clouds of vog (volcanic smog), nothing is as it seems. Can he solve the riddle of Earth Ranch before trouble erupts?

Elusive author Pseudonymous Bosch introduces an extraordinary new series that will have you believing in the unbelievable.
Review: This was a cute middle grade novel that had some twists, some turns, and some "what???" moments. Is Clay a magician? Is he not? Does he actually have magical powers, or is he just able to do simple tricks? And what is going on with this remote island? The island adds such a different spin onto what could have been a very basic concept. The cast of characters is light and friendly, easy to connect with. I would recommend this to any middle grade reader who likes fantasy. This would also be a good starter novel for those that don't already love the fantasy genre!

*Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Peter Pan Must Die by John Verdon

Publish Date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Crown
Series: Dave Gurney #4

Synopsis: In John Verdon’s most sensationally twisty novel yet, ingenious puzzle solver Dave Gurney brings his analytical brilliance to a shocking murder that couldn’t have been committed the way the police say it was.

The daunting task that confronts Gurney, once the NYPD’s top homicide cop: determining the guilt or innocence of a woman already convicted of shooting her charismatic politician husband -- who was felled by a rifle bullet to the brain while delivering the eulogy at his own mother’s funeral. 

Peeling back the layers, Gurney quickly finds himself waging a dangerous battle of wits with a thoroughly corrupt investigator, a disturbingly cordial mob boss, a gorgeous young temptress, and a bizarre assassin whose child-like appearance has earned him the nickname Peter Pan.

Startling twists and turns occur in rapid-fire sequence, and soon Gurney is locked inside one of the darkest cases of his career – one in which multiple murders are merely the deceptive surface under which rests a scaffolding of pure evil. Beneath the tangle of poisonous lies, Gurney discovers that the truth is more shocking than anyone had imagined.

And the identity of the villain at the mystery’s center turns out to be the biggest shock of all.

Review: I have never read a book by John Verdon, so even though this book is the 4th in a series, I didn't read the first three. And I didn't feel like this took away from the story at all or that it would have changed my opinion any. There were references to a prior case of Dave Gurney's, which probably was in an earlier book. I would be interested in picking up an earlier book just to compare story lines. 

I was torn on this book. It was overly wordy for my liking and I felt as though this took away from the mystery and the story line. Crime mysteries are most interesting for me when the story really keeps the reader on their toes, really gets into the details of the case and has a lot of twists and turns. I found the truth and the identity of the "villain" to be less than shocking as described in the synopsis. The last 25 pages were the best part of the book. 

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Review: I Am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff

Publish Date: April 25, 2013
Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Synopsis: Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school, in a new town, under a new name, makes few friends and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die -- of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and moves on to the next target. 

When his own parents died of not-so-natural causes at the age of eleven, Boy Nobody found himself under the control of The Program, a shadowy government organization that uses brainwashed kids as counter-espionage operatives. But somewhere, deep inside Boy Nobody, is somebody: the boy he once was, the boy who wants normal things (like a real home, his parents back), a boy who wants out. And he just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's next mission.

Review:  I know this may sound strange, but this was a light, easy flowing story about a boy assassin. How can it be light and flowing when it's about people being assassinated, you might ask. There isn't much, if any, detail to any of the "assignments." He simply goes, does what he needs to do, then moves on. It was good enough that it grabbed my interest and kept me wanting to know what came next, however none of this book kept me on the edge of my seat in suspense. In fact, it was quite predictable.  I wouldn't be on the hunt to find the sequel, but I would read it without complaint.

Recommended For: Mid-aged teenagers who like crime fiction or mysteries

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Top 5 Wednesday: Fictional Schools You'd Want to Attend

This is my first week participating in Top 5 Wednesday hosted over at Goodreads! I'm looking forward to the challenge as some topics look tough!

For this week: Top 5 fictional schools you'd want to attend!!

In no particular order:

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Wayside School from Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Some weird things go on here, and there is no 19th floor!!

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Walkerville Elementary- the school Miss Frizzle's class is from!! Come on- who wouldn't want to go on those crazy adventures?! Well I guess Arnold never did...but I sure would!

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Wexford School in The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. A boarding school in London-how exotic. Aside from Jack the Ripper, that is.

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Stoneybrook High School or or Stoneybrook Day School from The Babysitter's Club series. I don't remember much about the school itself but I would have loved to have been part of the club!

Photo Source

And clearly, my list must include Hogwarts!!! As I am sure a lot of lists will. Although I would certainly like to be a student at this school more during the first half of the series, rather than the last. But magic? Owls? Potions? Yes!

Share your list below- what fictional schools would you like to attend?

Review: Killer Ambition by Marcia Clark

goodreads.com

Published: June 18, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Series: Rachel Knight #3

Synopsis: When the daughter of a billionaire Hollywood director is found murdered after what appears to be a kidnapping gone wrong, Los Angeles Special Trials prosecutor Rachel Knight and Detective Bailey Keller find themselves at the epicenter of a combustible and high-profile court case. Then a prime suspect is revealed to be one of Hollywood's most popular and powerful talent managers--and best friend to the victim's father. With the director vouching for the manager's innocence, the Hollywood media machine commences an all-out war designed to discredit both Rachel and her case. KILLER AMBITION is at once a thrilling ride through the darker side of Tinseltown and a stunning courtroom drama with the brilliant insider's perspective that Marcia Clark is uniquely qualified to give. (from goodreads.com)

Review: This is, without a doubt, my favorite of the Rachel Knight series so far and one of my top books of the year. I could not stop reading this book! Luckily we were flying while I was reading it so I had plenty of time to just sit and plow through it page by page. 

When the story first starts, everyone is so hopeful that they will be able to find the missing girl alive. But then they find her, and the hunt to find a killer begins. You are led on a complete investigation, from start to finish, from the search for a body to the jury's conviction. The court room scenes are written so well as only someone that has been there. Something Marcia Clark is clearly qualified to write, and she writes it well.

Rachel and her friends lives' are such a big part of this story. I felt really connected to all the characters, their friendship and conversations were so real and true that I felt like I was talking to a group of my friends. 

This series is standing out as one of my favorites of the year, and maybe of all time. Looking forward to the next installment!

Recommended For: Fans of crime fiction or mystery

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.