Sometimes I Fail, so You get a Recommendation!

So, obviously I fail today.  Because it's 1pm and I'm just now realizing I was in charge of the Teen Scene post today.  Sorry, guys!  I'll blame it on the sick kid I'm home with.  ;)

In spite of my obvious lack of teen topic, I thought I'd share a book I read with you guys.  It's an ARC from Simon Pulse, the novel will be released January 3, 2012.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SURVIVE THE APOCALYPSE

By Lucas Klauss

Phillip's sophomore year is off to a rough start. One of his best friends ditches him for a group of douchebags. His track coach singles him out for personalized, torturous training sessions. And his dad decides to clean out all of the emergency supplies from the basement, even though the world could end in disaster at any moment...and even though those supplies are all Phillip has left of his dead mom. Not that he wants to talk about that. 

But then Phillip meets Rebekah. Not only is she unconventionally hot and smart, but she has seriously great boobs. And she might like him back. 

As Phillip gets closer to Rebekah, he tries harder and harder to turn himself into the kind of person he thinks she wants him to be. But the question is, can he become that person? And does he really want to?

Something I haven't seen a lot of (meaning not much at all) in YA books is religion being discussed.  Which, I understand why.  That's a really hot-button topic that not many people want to touch.  Which is why I'm doubly impressed by Mr. Klauss.

First of all, the writing in this book is awesome.  I laughed out loud, I cringed, I got teary-eyed  -- everything I expect when I'm in the hands of a good book. 

Now, this story has a lot of religious discussion in it.  A. Lot.  BUT here's catch, Klauss handles every aspect of Phillip's exploration into the realms of religion with the utmost respect.  He argues both sides of the coin and holds true to the principle that overall, people are just trying to do what's right no matter what path they choose.

I highly recommend you pick this book up once it hits shelves for a funny, deep story of a teenager's struggle with life, religion, friends, and finding his place in the world.

Book Recs: Sometimes It Happens and Love Story

If you're looking for books that are funny, light, and romantic, you'll probably love these. They're coming out very soon!

Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Ryan dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction--and one night, into a passionate kiss.
The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Ryan, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...

There have been a lot of best friend/boyfriend books released recently, and I think of all of them, this one is probably my favourite. I love the way it starts--when "things" have already happened and there's tension in the air. The author has a type of writing that sucks you in. I loved the progression in Hannah and Noah's relationship, from strangers to friends to more. This one comes out on July 12, 2011.

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

She's writing about him. he's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines..
For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?
Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

Jennifer Echols has become one of my favorite contemporary authors. And she does romance oh-so-well! If you haven't read any of her books, this is a great place to start. This book is actually being classified as adult. But that's only because Erin has just started college, and I don't think it is any different than other YA books out there. Get your copy on July 19, 2011.

What I Am Reading: Book Shopping, The Vespertine, and The Goddess Test

What makes you want to read a book? Do covers, blurbs, and recommendations, play a big part? A small part? Do blurbs from well-known authors impact your choice? If the whole world is raving about a book, does that make you want to read it more?

I thought it would be interesting to find out what first entices a reader, so I asked the Paper Hangover crew to share their preferences.

An interesting title will make me pick up a book, a pretty cover will propel to go on, but it's mostly the summary that ultimately decides whether I read/buy a book. I don't read the first few pages before purchasing/borrowing a book, so it's all summary. - Emy

 For my sister, it's the cover and the cover ONLY. For me, Jacket Blurb, recommendation and first chapter. If I like the first chapter I will buy the book. For my daughter, the same as me but throw in a good cover. She doesn't buy ugly books. She said that, not me! - Adrienne

I definitely like a dark, mysterious cover, but I usually always know what books I want when I enter a store based on recommendations. Or sometimes I'll look for favorite authors. - Pam

 For me it's always a combination of things. I'm not an 'absolute' kind of guy. It's almost like dating. Initially, you're attracted by the superficial stuff (interesting cover design, preferred genre) but then you open up a conversation (reading summary and/or first few paragraphs/pages) to help you decide how interested you are.Sometimes you can make an immediate judgment: I am or am not interested in pursuing this further. Other times you're not sure until you spend more quality time together (actually reading the whole damn book or just some of it). I have my turn ons and turn offs like everyone else. But I've also been surprised, both pleasantly and negatively. So, I try not to rely on absolutes. There are none. - Michael

Depends on the mood I'm in. I keep a list on Goodreads of books I've heard good buzz about, or had a friend recommend.  A lot of times, I'll pick a book off that list and that's the only determining factor.  

Other times I'm a little more adventurous.  I like to go into the bookstore with a different kind of list.  Say, I'm looking for a book by a debut author, published within the last 3 years, that I've never heard of before.  (I change my qualifications each time)  From there, I decide based on the jacket copy and cover.  It's a lot of fun to do!  Everyone should try it out.  I've found some of my favorite authors that way. - Holly

Interesting responses! For me, it can be a number of things: a cover might intrigue me enough to read the summary. Or if I already know what the book is about, then the first page will affect whether or not I buy it. Front-cover blurbs by authors (well-known or otherwise) mean almost nothing to me. In fact, I rarely notice them. It all comes down to the actual book.

Case in point, I read two fabulous books this week:

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell. I saw the gorgeous cover and was instantly intrigued. Then I read the summary (and first page) and could not stop reading! The romance was fantastic. The characters, the settings, and the plot were all brilliantly executed. There were unexpected twists and turns that had me gasping, but the best thing about this book was the author's beautiful writing and her ability to weave paranormal elements into the story seamlessly. If you read YA historical fiction, you want to go grab your copy now!

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.
When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

I also read an ARC of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter. I'll admit--I didn't love the cover--but the book's name was enough to get me to read the premise. The fact that NYT bestselling author Cassandra Clare blurbed it completely escaped my notice until about five seconds ago.

Every girl who has taken the test has died. Now it's Kate's turn. 
It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall. 
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests. 
Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess. 
If she fails...

When I read the summary, I was in. And pleasantly surprised. The Goddess Test is one of those books you can't help but read in one sitting. I really enjoyed Kate's voice and could feel her desperation as she fought to keep her mother alive and her heart in check. All this while trying to stay alive herself. The author offers a different take on Greek mythology than what is out there, and if you enjoy a twist on the Hades/Persephone myth, grab your copy April 26, 2011 (Harlequin Teen).

So, how do you pick out your books? I especially love Michael's analogy: picking out books is a lot like dating, and everyone approaches it differently!

PS: Congrats on winning the Bumped/Half-Brother contest, Sophia! Send us your mailing address (paperhangover at gmail dot com).

What I am Reading: Bumped and Half-Brother and Contests

If you loved the Jessica Darling series as much as I did, then you, like me, have been (really) looking forward to Megan McCafferty’s next book, BUMPED. Here is the summary:

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

While the premise sounded interesting, what was most intriguing was the fact that the novel was also being referred to as funny. Wait. Dystopians can be funny? I'd never have believed it either! It’s certainly a different sort of dystopian novel than anything out there.

Despite many laugh-out-loud moments, BUMPED does not skim over the more serious issues in the book, such as religion and teen sexuality. The world the author creates is outrageous yet entirely believable, futuristic and yet relate-able, often hitting a little too close to home. And, of course, there's the romance that will have you hoping, hoping, hoping.

Go pick up your copy of BUMPED 4/26/11!

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And if you need a break from dystopians, this is one book you won't regret reading:

Ben Tomlin was an only child for thirteen years. Then his parents brought home a baby chimp.

It isn't long before Ben is Zan's favourite, and Ben starts to see Zan as more than just an experiment. His father disagrees. Soon Ben is forced to make a critical choice between what he is told to believe and what he knows to be true -- between obeying his father or protecting his brother from an unimaginable fate.

A baby chimp for a brother. Interesting, I thought. But as I read, I wasn't just an observer. I was Ben. Set in 1973, readers will experience a wide range of emotions--you'll laugh with Ben one minute and then gasp with horror in the next.

This one came out last year. Fair warning: grab a box of tissues as well. I think given the premise, that's to be expected even before you open the book.

So. What are you reading right now?

Want to read one of these books? Leave a comment and become a follower, and I'll send one randomly selected winner a copy of the book of your choice. (I'll send BUMPED on the release date.) I'll pick a winner on March 27, 2011.