Category Archives: Lists

Reading Recap and Plans for 2016

Blogger's Favorites, Lists, Middle Grade 8-12, News and Fun, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , ,

The last two weeks of 2015 flew past me without a moment for blogging, and I’m only now beginning to catch up on the massive list of things I want to do around here. There are books to read, author interviews to post, exciting blog tours coming up, and of course, more books than I could possibly hope to read!

Coming Soon: Books I’ve Read to Review

To start, here are the books I have read but haven’t posted reviews for yet:

read_to_reviewI’m super excited about posting my review of Eleanor & Park. Rainbow Rowell is an author I’ve been meaning to read for a while. I had started Fangirl last summer, but just didn’t get into it. In E&P, she had me at the first line. Wowza. And I felt like I held my breath until the last line. If you haven’t looked at the fan art for the story, it’s definitely worth checking out, too. There are some really clever/cute images.

I also LOVED Paradox of Vertical Flight. I read it after being selected for a blog tour to promote Ostrovsi’s sophomore novel Away We Go. After the amazing ride that was his debut, I can’t wait to read his next. (Also… he’ll be here on TSS in the form of an author interview! *insert hyperventilating and hoarse star-struck sputtering*)

So all those lovely titles will be reviewed here in the next couple of weeks as well as a couple of shorter pieces. I recently read both a short story (“Reprieve” by Tessa Elwood, author of Inherit the Stars) and a novella (Never Never part 1 by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher) that I thought deserved a post. So those will be appearing as well.

But, Wait. There’s More! (Books I Meant to Read Last Year)

Curious about what’s coming after that? In taking stock of my 2015 To Read List, I noticed some books I wasn’t able to fit in. I haven’t accepted many new reviews for Jan-March. My plan is to work back through that list and catch up on those first. Here’s the list:

Every Blogger Has a Mammoth TBR List. This is (part of) Mine…

I’ve also got quite a towering stack of books sitting on shelves and next to my bed that I need to read. Nightingale’s Nest, Shouldn’t You Be In School, Across a Star-Swept Sea, All the Bright Places, Belzhar, and Feuds are among those. Also worth noting (translation: can’t believe I didn’t list these on my TBR list) are Brown Girl Dreaming, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Isle of the Lost, and Embers in the Ashes. Here’s the full stack:

And those are only the actual physical copies of books that I have. Doesn’t include the lists of ebooks filling up my tablet. More reading for me! So it’s already shaping up to be a busy season for reading in my house. My daughter is most excited about the Descendants book and the finale to the Lemony Snicket series All the Wrong Questions.

I also accumulated several really cool nonfiction books that I’m eager to crack open. I’ll save those for another post, though.

How about you?

So how about you? What are you reading now? What did you plan to read last year that you haven’t managed to sit down with yet?

My Favorite Books from 2015 (January to October)

Blogger's Favorites, Lists, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

My Favorite Books from 2015 (So Far…)

So these are not guaranteed to be clean teen reads. This list is made up of the stories and characters which most captured me, deprived me of sleep or free thought until I’d finished the very last page or beyond. Read my reviews (click the book title) for more information on content of each novel. Enjoy!

1. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman – I loved that Shusterman took us on this journey through mental illness and it felt so authentic. At the same time the metaphorical structure made it easy to follow the story and added to its complexity.

2. When You Leave by Monica Ropal – This was one of those books that I read in one sitting and thought about for weeks afterward. I loved the characters and the way Ropal explores the unanswered questions left behind when we lose someone.

3. Because You’ll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas – I was a little bit torn between this book and Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon, but the tie breaker for me was the fact that I loved both the boys in Because You’ll Never Meet Me so incredibly much and couldn’t stop rooting for them. I didn’t realize until just now that both books feature boys named Ollie/Olly, but also deal with a person who is unable to be around others for medical reasons. Both were great books, but BYNMM takes top prize for me.

4. The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey – I loved the fantastic story world in this book. It definitely reminded me a bit of Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but it wasn’t quite so dark, I thought. I loved the romance.

5. Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella – This book made me laugh so hard I had tears streaming down my face. The relationships between characters is absolutely great, and the way Audrey’s illness affects each family member is really well-explored. I think it takes a truly amazing writer to take a hard topic like mental illness and yet relate events to us in such a way that we can still laugh. Kinsella definitely has the knack for it.

6. The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow – Right from the very beginning, I was completely hooked on this story. Such high stakes! And I loved that they AI character(s) didn’t follow all the stereotypes about how AI would behave, etc.

7. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo – Are you tired of hearing about how much I like this book yet? I feel like it’s all I’m talking about right now. Totally immersive story world. Characters that I just can’t stop thinking about. And an impossible heist to keep me on the edge of my seat.

8. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – This book is like World War Z meets 2001: A Space Oddyssey. Some nights I could not go to sleep for thinking about this book. The dialogue and the unique presentation are definitely among the book’s strengths. I would definitely pick up a follow-up story to this one.

9. These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly – If you’ve been around TSS much lately, you know I LOVE me some books by Jennifer Donnelly. This book really scratched an itch for me. It’s a historical set in the 1890s and touches on some feminist themes about that time. It’s also a murder-mystery and has a really intense (but not explicit) romance. Loved it!

What’s your favorite?

Have you read any of the above books? What are your favorites so far this year?

Upcoming Reviews: October 2015 Part 2

Lists, News and Fun, ,

October 2015 Upcoming Reviews: Part 2

I’m not a huge fan of scary stories, but with Halloween coming soon, I figured it would be festive to include some spookier tales. This is about as wild as I get. Here’s a bit about each book and why I’m looking forward to reading it. Enjoy!

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

About the book: Kady and Ezra, who were until recently girlfriend and boyfriend, must now overcome  awkward post-relationship weirdness and escape invasion, war, and plague.

Why I’m reading it: I read a sample of this story and liked the way it’s told in interview snippets and documents. I really liked those parts of These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

The Dredge by Jaimie M. Engle

About the book: Sean Marrok’s gift might allow him to stand up to the Regime, but he’ll have to escape them first.

Why I’m reading it: I enjoyed Jaimie Engle’s middle grade story Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light a couple of years ago. This story sounds super different, and I’m eager to see Engle’s writing style applied to dark sci-fi in this novella which won honorable mention in the L Ron Hubbard 2013 Writers of the Future contest.

As White as Snow by Salla Simukka

About the book: A Prague getaway turns into a desperate attempt to save her sister for renowned sleuth Lumikki Andersson. She’s not actually sure this mystery girl is really her sister, but something about the girl’s desperation drives Lumikki to help her, even if it means risking her own life.

Why I’m reading it: This is one of the books I received from Children’s Literature, for whom I also write reviews. As a fan of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I’m interested to read this book, which boasts to be a sure win with fans of Stieg Larsson.

The All Powerful by J K Brown

About the book: Dark powers fuel Jason’s incredible military success and make him a target for a a ruthless Shadow mercenary. Jason teams up with powerful Elementals, but will they be ready for battle in time?

Why I’m reading it: I seem to have an interest in stories about space militia. I wouldn’t have guessed that about myself, but I’m definitely keen to find out whether Jason learns to harness his power in a good way and whether his allies are strong enough to stand against the darkness.

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

About the book: After her father’s death in a shooting accident, Jo and a local reporter uncover an ugly truth surrounding her father’s death and what really happened.

Why I’m reading it: I’ve been talking about this book for the longest time, and I’m finally reviewing it! Yay! It looks dark and suspenseful, and it’s got some mystery to it as the heroine explores the truth behind her father’s death. It’s a little different than my usual picks, but all the more reason to bring it on.

What’s on your reading list?

What spooky stories are on your reading list this month? What do you recommend that hasn’t made my list yet? Have you read any of these titles already, and if so, what did you think?

Upcoming Reviews: October 2015 Part 1

Lists, Young Adult/Teen 12-18,

October Reviews at The Story Sanctuary: Part 1

This month The Story Sanctuary has a pretty diverse line-up, featuring reviews from indie authors, Christian publishers as well as some books from Netgalley’s list of YA publishing houses. Good stuff which I can’t wait to share coming this October 2015. Here’s a bit about why I chose each of these titles for review:

Never Said by Carol Lynch Williams

About the book: Sarah’s sister Anna has always been the perfect one, and then suddenly she’s not. Sarah’s own crises draw her and Anna together once again, and the walls between them crumble once again as they finally share the things they never said to one another.

Why I’m reading it: As a girl with two sisters, I have a soft spot for this type of story. The description reminds me a little bit of Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, which is one of my favorites.

Shades of Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

About the book: Best friends Vee and Kenna are finally safe and free in the kingdom of Doon, and they’re ready to make the most of it by celebrating with all their friends. All too soon a strange dark force boots the girls back into the awful reality of their former lives. To put an end to Doon’s latest threat will require all their strength and spunk.

Why I’m reading it: I’ve been meaning to read this series for quite some time. The covers of all three series books have been gorgeous, and I love the blend of modern day girls and a kingdom of fantasy.

The Lost Princess by Dani-Lyn Alexander

About the book: Ryleigh has left her home world to be with Jackson, who has just accepted rule of his father’s kingdom. Rumors of conspiracy threaten his court. Ryleigh leaves on a search for a missing relic. Jackson must find her before evil plots come to fruition.

Why I’m reading it: I can’t resist a good fantasy. This feels somewhere between Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series and possibly Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan. At least, that’s my hope.

Hopper-Hill Family by Erika Castiglioni

About the book: Piper always wanted a sibling, but she gets more than she bargained for when her cousins move in with her family.

Why I’m reading it: As a parent in a blended family, I’m always interested in books that feature characters and situations surrounding blended family issues. I’m hoping this one will be a story I can recommend to others as well as enjoy for myself.

Magic to Memphis by Julie Starr

About the book: Seventeen year-old Jessie travels to Memphis to win a music contest and finds herself caught in the sights of a killer.

Why I’m reading it: One of the elements I find most intriguing about the story is that Jessie discovers her dad made the same trek to Memphis long ago. I am a total sucker for father/son or father/daughter themes, and I’m hoping for big things from this one.

 

 

Great Lines: Quotes found in September 2015

Lists, News and Fun, , , ,

September Quotes

September was a great month! I found several new books that will definitely be waiting for friends and family beneath the Christmas tree, and some that I will carry with me in my heart beyond that. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from books I read in the past few weeks.

What about you?

Did you read any quotable stories lately? Have you read any of the books listed above or have a special quote to share? Leave a comment!

Upcoming Reviews for September 2015

Lists, Middle Grade 8-12, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , ,

September is my favorite month. It’s the peak of the season for afternoon thunderstorms in Central Florida, and reading is the perfect thing to do during a thunderstorm. It’s also the month when two important things happen – my wedding anniversary and my birthday. This September also happens to be a busy month for book reviews! Here are a few you can expect to see in the coming weeks at The Story Sanctuary.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Madeline is allergic to the outside world. Then she meets Olly, a neighbor boy, and the romantic tension ensues. I’m excited but nervous about reading this book. After being blown away by Because You’ll Never Meet Me earlier this year, I’m afraid I’ll compare the two, and I don’t know how that will go. I am definitely open to love it.

 

The Firebug of Balrog County by David Oppegaard

A small town hits hard times, and Mack only knows one way to relieve the tension building inside him: find something to burn. How can a pyromaniac be a hero? I’m curious about this, too. So far everything I’ve read about this book has been positive. I love angsty YA, and I’m a huge fan of Flux books, so I’m definitely eager to crack the cover of this novel.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

Grief is such an important issue, and it’s one that our culture doesn’t really handle so well. (But that’s another topic.) This novel focuses on a girl who lost her best friend, she believes, because of a rare jellyfish sting. She sets out on a journey to prove her theory.

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow

This looks like a dystopian novel in which the children of world leaders are raised in seclusion, trained for the day in which they may be used in a hostage exchange to keep peace between nations. It looks dark but like it has real potential to explore some human rights issues. I’m excited to check it out.

I Crawl Through It by A. S. King

I’ve been on a bit of a streak reading YA novels that deal with some heavy mental health issues. This one follows four teens as they battle their way through dealing with trauma. The copy on Goodreads and NetGalley reference possibly some multiple personality or delusions.

 

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Naturals #2)

A team of teens possess special abilities (not like X-men, more like, super-geniuses at certain things like lie-spotting or profiling) which make them indispensable to the FBI. It’ll take all their gifts to stop a serial killer before he snatches his next victim. Suspense isn’t my usual go-to, but this novel definitely appealed to me. I like that it focuses on the relationships between characters as well as this pressing mystery.

Lullaby by Amanda Hocking (Watersong #2)

I’ve actually read this before and for some reason never managed to write up a review. I’m listening to the audiobook version and will write my review from that. It’s about a girl who was tricked into becoming a Siren. Only after she’s transformed does she realize a few of the downsides: she can’t leave her Siren sisters; she must eat the heart of a boy to survive; and she must spend time in the ocean water or she’ll die. (The heart-eating sounds super gross, but it’s not described in the story.)

Battle of Beings by Nita Tarr (War Child #1)

This sounds a little bit like a cross between This Present Darkness and Eragon? The description intrigues me, so I’m giving it a go this month.