Nightshade (2010)
Written by: Andrea Cremer
Genre: YA/Paranormal Romance
Pages: 452 (ARC)
Disclaimer: free from publisher via LibraryThing
Release Date: October 19, 2010

When I talked on Monday about Why Must YA Have Romance?, I was really referring to two different kinds of romances. There's the subplot kind, which is more the romantic relationship, and it isn't the focal point of the book in question, not by a long shot. But then there's the plot-focused Romance, spelled with the capital "R" in deference to the actual genre and the rules that follow, let alone any formulas. Point being, there's Romance and then there's romance. See the difference?

I mentioned I'd read four YA novels recently, and of the four, all but Andrea Cremer's Nightshade were of the romantic subplot variety. But Nightshade is Romance. YA Paranormal Romance, to be specific. I was a little iffy about requesting this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Program, but the cover was pretty, I knew it'd be a fast read, and yay for werewolves!

The premise: ganked from BN.com: Calla Tor has always known her destiny: after graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Review style: You know the painkillers are wearing off when you start taking notes on post-its and sticking said notes in the book. Lots of discussion about what this debut author has done right, what I wish she'd done better, and why I'd satisfied regardless. Minor, kind of vague spoilers, yes, so skip to "My Rating" if you want to stay safe. Everyone else, onward!

( NIGHTSHADE: spoilers )

My Rating

Buy the Paperback: Yeah, I know. This comes out in HARDCOVER in October. But it's worth waiting for the paperback or a cheaper copy. Not because it's a bad book either. It's a fun, fast read with some fascinating world-building and a romance that has you wondering. What hampers the book is the author's inability to reveal much of anything at all for a good portion of the beginning (an author who takes the rule "Show don't tell" a little too literally) and then ends the book with quite the cliffhanger. In truth, I don't mind the cliffhanger ending. I'm actually interested, on the whole, to read the next installment. But despite the VERY gorgeous cover, I'm not inclined to buy the hardcover when it comes out, because this is also one of those books that you read, enjoy, and move on from. Still, I enjoyed this debut from Cremer, and when the sequel's available (next year?) I might see if I can't snag a free copy. This book opens with a bang and keeps you turning the pages, and hosts a cast with many likable people, though at times, it's difficult to keep everyone straight. Still, a fun book, and I'm glad I was able to score a free copy via LibraryThing.

Cover Commentary: It's quite beautiful and eye-catching. I love the purple shades coloring everything, the glitter beneath the model's eye (more fairy-esque than werewolf-esque, but I'll roll with it), and the bloody flower held out to the reader. Again, the overall effect speaks more of fairies than werewolves (and reminds me a bit of Melissa Marr's covers), but it's so pretty I really don't care. If I saw this in the store, I'd be hard-pressed to NOT pick it up.

Next up: Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy

Why Must YA Have Romance?

While finishing up Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games trilogy, I ended up having several discussions about the romance in the books and whether or not it was necessary, let alone whether or not it actually worked. And it got me thinking about the necessity. In the discussions, Dreams & Speculation made the remark that the romance was just there because it's a YA novel.

It got me thinking, because this isn't the first time I've heard this accusation thrown at YA. I was going to do a survey of all the YA books I've reviewed, but when I started paging through said reviews, I realized two things:

1) Most of the books that I don't remember having romance are still a little fishy. Some have love stories but not romance, and that's a very different thing, you know? **
2) Some books I simply don't remember at all, despite having reviewed them.

Instead I decided to look at the most recent YA reads (since I've been reading a lot of YA due to surgery). That totals four books, and every single one of them features a romance as either plot or subplot.*

So I sat back to think about this: what are the commonalities here? For starters, all of the books are written by women and feature heroines. That reminds me of a snarky observation Pat's Fantasy Hotlist made in his Graceling review, that if YA is written by a female, it MUST have romance.

Which, based on my observations, seems to be true, but it's an unfair ground for dismissal because it smacks of sexism (and yes, that's a double-standard: if a woman says this, she's making an observation; if a man says this, he's sexist and it doesn't matter if he's right or not) and sometimes the romance isn't what you think, let alone the driving force of the book.

But let's look at that trend: if women authors are writing heroines who are falling in love (whether it's the main plot or the subplot), what does that say about society today? Not just publishing, though I'd say that plays a hand in it (any awkward romance you've read may be partially because the author felt obligated to include it to even be published), but just general society: are young teen girls going to bother with a book that doesn't, on some level, show that there's someone special out there for everyone?*** I'm not saying this is a conscious decision either, but rather a social goal: after all this time, after everything feminism has taught us, a woman's most important decision seems to be who she'll fall in love with (and by extension, who she'll marry).

I'm not bashing romance here as being anti-feminist. Or bashing romance period. I grew up watching soap operas, for goodness sake! I love me a good romance! But I am examining society as reflected in the fiction that's popular with teens. Even Malinda Lo's Ash is a love story, even though it features two girls instead of a girl and a guy, reinforcing my opinion that a girl's big adventure in life is to fall in love at least once with someone.

Of course, falling in love is part of the human condition, guy or girl. Paolo Bacigalupi's Ship Breaker features a hero instead of a heroine and doesn't have a love story, but you can bet that Nailer has the hots for the girl he rescued. And I'm betting that even though Scott Westerfeld's current Leviathan series doesn't start out with a romance or love story between Deryn and Alek, it's gonna happen before everything's wrapped up.

But these two books I cite for not having a romance are also two books that I believe are aimed towards boys, who are still, after all these years, expected to have adventures before falling in love. Again, this isn't to bash those two authors, because their female characters are kick-ass and Deryn definitely is having more fun in her adventures than Alek is, but when you look at who writes the book and then who the book's marketed to, it's no wonder there's a bias against women writing YA because a romance of some sort seems inevitable.

That's not to say the stories aren't worth reading. Zetta Elliot's A Wish After Midnight has more to say than simply its subplot of Genna's romance Judah: it's about racism in two different times and what it means to create your own identity when your identity is shaped by an oppressive society. And the best romances (subplot, not main plot) are those that play into whatever the author is saying in the book anyway, like with A Wish After Midnight. Judah is just another force trying to shape Genna's identity, and she's having to struggle with what she wants in the face of social pressures and personal pressures. That's powerful.

And then there's romances that force us to question the traditional view of love: Malinda Lo's Ash, where our heroine doesn't fall in love with Prince Charming, but rather his female hunter. Then there's Kristen Cashore's Graceling, where we have a heroine who acknowledges desire and the need for companionship without falling into the social trap of true love, marriage, and family. It's not to say she won't change her mind one day, but she's more a picture of what it means to be a modern woman, rather than, say Bella of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, who seems to exist to reinforce the traditional notions of falling in love and having a family.

Different strokes for different folks, that's for sure, but the danger is dismissing any kind of romance is that you don't know what, if anything it may teach you. Or whether or not it's part of a kick-ass story that wouldn't exist in the same way if not for the romance, like Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (the first book, not the final two).

And then there's the bottom line: just because there's a romance doesn't mean it's done well. That doesn't mean you won't like a romance that's done badly and dislike a romance that's done well, but there you go.

In hindsight, I still haven't answered my own question, which really wasn't a question so much as it was a need to examine a trend and try to figure out why things are the way they are. So maybe I have stumbled upon answers, but I bet there's more to it. Romances sell better, for example (in adult fiction, Romance is the best selling genre in the US, especially when the economy went to hell). And I'll go back to one of my original statements: I think the publishers have something to do with it. They know romances sell better, so they're probably looking for YA stories that have them, because they want to sell as many books as possible.

Or maybe I just tend to be attracted to YA stories that inevitably have romances in them.

But those are my theories as to why it seems like so much YA has a featured romance. What are yours?

* = And when I say romance, I'm not just talking about the books that are Romance with a capital R and said Romance is the whole point of the plot. I'm talking about romantic relationships whether or not they're in the forefront or background of the book. Just because the book has romance doesn't mean it's a Romance. Clear as mud? :)

** = What would I call a love story instead of a romance? Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. No romance, but a love story nonetheless.

*** = I think the answer is yes. After all, Scott Leviathan's Leviathan was pretty darn popular, and it doesn't have a romance. That said, I'm basing my assumption on adult readers too, that's a slightly different audience with different needs.

---

Book Club Selections



September: So Long Been Dreaming edited by Nalo Hopkinson
October: Feed by Mira Grant
November: Theme: Fantasies (not urban) published in 2010. VOTE NOW; Deadline 9/9

Book Sale: In order to buy new books, I have to sell old ones. Help me out? :) Details are here.

Follow me on Facebook, and find me on Paperback Swap!

FAVOR!! When I review a book you've read and reviewed yourself, would you kindly provide a link to your review in the comments of mine? I love seeing what others think, and sometimes I see those reviews when they're originally posted, but don't read them as I don't want to spoil myself on something I know I'll read in the future. The problem, then, is I often forget to go back and read the reviews I missed! So please, if you've reviewed something I'm reviewing, shoot a link my way. :)

Giveaways & Challenges

@ Libri Touches, enter to win a copy of either Twilight of Avalon or Dark Moon of Avalon both by Anna Elliot. Click here for details. Deadline: 9/16.

@ Dreams & Speculation, enter to win a hardcover copy of The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson. We read this book for our January challenge, and it's fabulous! Click here for details. Deadline 9/18.

@ Dreams & Speculation, enter to win a hardcover copy of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. The copy may even be signed! Click here for details. Deadline 9/18.

Got a giveaway or reading challenge you'd like to promote? Please comment.

Upcoming Reviews: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, The Native Star by M.K. Hobson, Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy

Currently Reading: Blameless by Gail Carriger

2010 Reading Total: 77 out of 100 (even if I hit 100, I doubt I'll up the goal to 125, because that's starting to get crazy).

2010 Comics Total: 281 out of 365. #282 will be tonight!

Mockingjay (2010)
Written by: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA/Science Fiction
Pages: 390 (Hardcover)
Series: Book Three of Three

You know, I want to say I pre-ordered this before ever even reading The Hunger Games because Amazon had it so cheap. How sad is that?

Having this book arrive the day I came home from the hospital is what gave me the kick in the pants to go ahead and finish this trilogy. While at the hospital, I was checking email on my phone and noticed that three of my book blogger buddies already had reviews up, and I wanted to go ahead and get caught up with the book so I could discuss the story with them. There's no pressure like peer pressure, let me tell you!

The premise: ganked from BN.com: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

Review style: once again, this was read early in the painkiller stage, and to be honest, I kind of wish I hadn't read Catching Fire and Mockingjay back-to-back. I'll talk about why, talk about why Collins simply can't convince me that she's given me a real love triangle, as well as how romance works in general for this series. I'll talk about how this book differs from its predecessors and why that's a good thing, and touch on the epilogue that has so many readers up in arms. Also, there's either an intentional nod to Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse in this book or I'll eat my hat. Spoilers? Yes, so skip to "My Rating" if you want to remain pure for your own reading. Everyone else, onward! Oh, but one warning--in the course of talking about love triangles, I'm going to spoil the hell out of Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn.

( MOCKINGJAY: spoilers )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: This book is utterly and entirely different from The Hunger Games and Catching Fire that it's not even funny. It's a helluva lot darker too on many levels and really ramps up the fact that this is science fiction dystopia. Bad things happen to good people, and there's a war that Collins doesn't flinch away from. There are heart-breaking moments in this book, and Katniss really takes a beating psychologically. It's a good read, but I have to say I wish I'd had some time to process Catching Fire before jumping right into this one. First because of the pain meds I was on while reading both, but second so that I could've solidified my thoughts on the second book before having them warped by the third. Still, it's a very satisfying conclusion, and while this trilogy isn't an OMG-I-LOVE-IT type thing, I'm still glad I got on board, even with the hardcovers!

Cover Commentary: Of all the covers, I like this one the least, especially at first glance. The design style kind of shatters the consistency set forth by the first two books, but I realize now that's the point. With each book, the bird has gotten bigger, transformed from a piece of jewelry (aka symbol) to a real thing, and has now shattered the circle which used to keep it in its place. The covers alone tell a wonderfully symbolic story, so while it's not my favorite cover of the three visually-speaking, I sure as hell appreciate what the designers did with each cover to make sure the symbolism told the same story as the book. Thank goodness there's not a fourth book though: I'd be terrified the poor mockingjay would be slumped over in a round puddle of blood, dead as a doornail.

Yes, I'm morbid.

Next up: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Catching Fire (2009)
Written by: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA/Science Fiction
Pages: 391 (Hardcover)
Series: Book Two of Three

Funny story about this book: I bought it before I ever read The Hunger Games. Why did I do such a silly thing? Because Borders had an AWESOME discount on this book (like 50% or something insane) when it first came out, and the cover is so pretty that I couldn't resist. So it was my secret, shameful purchase, because I had no idea if I'd like The Hunger Games or if I'd think it's nothing but hype. Thankfully, I liked it. But then came the next important decision: read Catching Fire right away, or wait until digitalclone could read it with me (as we read The Hunger Games together)? I decided to wait until she could read it with me, which pushed the book to September.

But then I cheated. Y'all know I had surgery last week, and being on painkillers (and in pain beforehand) really messed up my ability to concentrate. That meant my reading of So Long Been Dreaming had to be put aside, and for whatever reason, I couldn't focus on the next book in my TBR pile either. But the day I came home from the hospital, my pre-order of Mockingjay was waiting, and I thought: you know, Collins isn't a taxing author. What I see is what I get. So let's just go ahead and finish this trilogy!.

Turns out, reading spec fic YA is a GREAT, but odd, thing to read while on painkillers. :)

The premise: ganked from BN.com: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Review style: please keep in mind, this was the FIRST book I read after I got home from the hospital and was on pain medication. So that made the experience of reading odd, and therefore, my reactions mind be a little odd as well. I didn't take notes; I just read the thing and then moved on. So expect some comparisons to The Hunger Games and how this book moves the overall story arc along. I'll also discuss the so-called love triangle, so yes, expect spoilers, because how I feel about this book is greatly influenced by the book's ending. If spoilers bother you, just skip to the "My Rating" section of the review.

( CATCHING FIRE: spoilers )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: It's not quite as engrossing as The Hunger Games, and to be honest, Collins has her strengths, but creating love triangles is not one of them. That said, there's a lot of great, touching moments in the book and lots of action. We meet new characters who are easy to get attached to, and we learn a lot about the surrounding Districts and the winning tributes to previous Games. Certainly, the book is a bridge, but it's a fast read nonetheless with a cliffhanger that will once more have you dying for the next installment. And fortunately, for the next installment, I already had it at hand!

Cover Commentary: Of the three covers, this is my absolute favorite. I love the reds used, and I like how the mockingjay itself is starting to overwhelm the pin and look more like a real bird while also still looking like a pin. It also loses that Russian vibe I got from the first cover. Very pleasing to the eye.

Next up: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (of course!)

A Wish After Midnight (2008)
Written by: Zetta Elliott
Genre: YA/Time Travel/Historical Fiction
Pages: 274 (Trade Paperback)

I first heard about this book at Justine Larbalestier's website. It's one of many YA spec fic novels featuring and/or written by people of color that deserves far more than the attention it's getting. I plunked it on the list and let it languish there for a little (so many books to read, so little time), and finally picked it up when it 1) got an updated, shiny cover and 2) got a fantastic review from Ana and Thea at The Book Smugglers. And after reading Catherynne M. Valente's Palimpsest, I needed something that would be a breeze to get through but still be quality writing. When my eyes landed on my recently acquired A Wish After Midnight, I knew I'd found the perfect follow up.

The premise: ganked from Amazon.com: Genna is a fifteen-year-old girl who wants out of her tough Brooklyn neighborhood. But she gets more than she bargained for when a wish gone awry transports her back in time. Facing the perilous realities of Civil War–era Brooklyn, Genna must use all her wits to survive. In the tradition of Octavia Butler’s Kindred and Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, A Wish After Midnight is the affecting and inspiring tale of a fearless young woman’s fight to hold on to her individuality and her humanity in two different worlds.

Review style: I want to get one thing out of the way: there will be spoilers. There's things I really want to discuss that require my spoiling the book, as I want opinions on why my concerns are or are not important. But aside from those world-building concerns, the review will focus on what this book does best: examine race relations in two different time periods (to the best of my ability, of course) as well as whether or not this book is Kindred, Jr., or its own bird, or both. So yes, SPOILERS, and to avoid those, just skip to the "My Rating" section at the bottom of the review. Everyone else, onward!

( A WISH AFTER MIDNIGHT: spoilers )

My Rating

Must Have: Despite my brain hopping around demanding certain answers, I understand that my desire for knowledge shouldn't handicap this book in any way, because really, it all depends on the reader, and I can't make a blanket formula that'll fit every reader as to whether or not you'll want the same answers I did. We're all different, after all. But I loved Genna as a narrator. Her POV kept me riveted, especially in present day Brooklyn, and I want so much for there to be a sequel it's not even funny. There's so much this book has to offer, so much this book has to show you, that it'd be a shame to let this one slip by. It's a fantastic book too for a debut novel (I think it's a debut, anyway, and if not, it's still fantastic), and readers will also enjoy the nods/similarities to Octavia E. Butler's Kindred (similar premise but VERY different story) and shades of Justine Larbalestier's Liar, as we have similar narrators (except that Genna is not a liar) in both voice, POV, and stature. This is just a delightful read, and I'm so glad I finally got my hands on this. And Amazon has it RIDICULOUSLY cheap right now, so when I say it won't hurt your wallet, believe me. There's a reason I made this book my bonus read for the September Book Clubbers, and you should want to read this to find out why. Really, you should. I can't wait for more from this author.

Edit: The author discusses my review here and explains that yes, there WILL be a sequel. Woot!

Cover Commentary: I'll be honest, I SO MUCH MORE PREFER the cover of the latest release. It's visually more interesting for me to look at, and it features more than simply one of the main characters of the book. It's a gorgeous cover, and while this may sound shallow, one of the reasons I put off this book initially was because I just wasn't all that into the original cover, which is seen behind the cut. I've since had a chance to see it in much greater detail (click on the image itself or view it by itself and you should see it in much higher resolution), and I appreciate the art a lot more. I still don't care for it as a book cover, but it's far more interesting when seen up close and I have a great appreciation for it now than I did before.

Next up: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

It seems that announcing challenges two months in advance is working out for some people, especially for those of you battling library waiting lists, so unless I get an outraged cry to STOP announcing these so early, let's move on to November's vote, shall we?



The theme: Fantasies (not urban) released in 2010 (which may or may not include hardcovers)

I know, it's an odd theme. But we're starting to approach the end of the year which means there's a whole YEAR'S worth of new releases to salivate over. For most of my selections, the books have been out long enough for you to look for reviews and reactions, and then there's always the joy of sample chapters. I wanted to select fantasies that weren't urban because we've already toyed with something of an urban fantasy theme this year (Robin McKinley's Sunshine, Tanya Huff's Summon the Keeper), and stuff that's straight up fantasy really hasn't gotten a shot. Okay, upon reflection that's not entirely accurate (Ekaterina Sedia's The Alchemy of Stone, Catherynne M. Valente's Palimpsest), but still! There's too many fantasies that've been released this year that I've had my eye on, and this is as good excuse as any to read one! Also, the books selected feature either same sex pairings and/or characters of color, which isn't your typical white bread, heterosexual fantasy, is it?

This month, instead of links for you to do your own research, I'm providing summaries for you. These summaries are ganked from Barnes & Noble. If you want to do further research, such as looking at the ratings or reading samples, just click the title of the book. But to get there, you've got to click behind the cut.

( November Selections )

Remember, pick the book that interests you the most. Even if this isn't your genre of choice, the idea is to challenge yourself. Read something new. You never know, you might like it. :)

And while this might be obvious, consider the following before making your selection:

1) Does the premise interest you?
2) Do the first couple of pages (if available) interest you?
3) Do any of the reviews on Amazon (or elsewhere) make you reconsider?

Don't vote solely on the prettiest cover (tempting as it might be), and that's especially true if you don't plan on reading the book, because your vote dictates what others (like me!) are going to read for the challenge. And don't let the three questions above scare you out of a book, and don't let them convince you that you won't like any of them. The trick IS to challenge yourself, but I hope you're giving each book a fair review before voting. :) I want you to know what you're getting into if your selection wins!

Know what you want to read? Then it's time to vote!

Poll #1614031 November Challenge
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 46

Which of the following would you most like to read for the month of November?

Please note, I will not vote unless it is to break a tie.

You've got until midnight, Thursday September 9th to make your decision. Vote for the book that YOU want to read the most, and if you're torn, tough. You gotta pick one. :) If you've already read ALL of the books, pick the one you'd most like to re-read. If you're not participating, then maybe next month will bring something more to your liking. :)

I'll announce the official winner on September 10th, so don't pick up your copy (whether you buy or borrow) until I make it official. Unless, of course, all of these books are so appealing to you that you must have them all. In that case, have fun and start reading! :)

You all seemed to enjoy having the monthly round-up on its own back in June, so let's continue this until 1) you get tired of it and/or 2) I get tired of it. Sound fair? :)

Here are the reviews posted during August. Please note, this is not a comprehensive list of books I read in August, but rather the books I had the time to review before month's end.

1) Kay Kenyon: Maximum Ice: Give It Away
2) Lauren Kate: Fallen: Buy the Paperback
3) Maggie Stiefvater: Linger: Must Have
4) Margaret Ronald: Wild Hunt: Worth the Cash
5) Cherie Priest: Clementine: Find a Cheaper Copy
6) Brandon Sanderson: Mistborn: Did Not Finish
7) Gail Carriger: Changeless: Must Have
8) Catherynne M. Valente: Palimpsest: Keeper Shelf

Once again, I only got around to eight reviews, and in truth, I only finished about eight books, but three of those reviews are from books I read in July, and four of the books I read in August will have reviews posted in September. Don't blame me, blame the surgery, though in truth, I would've probably only put one more review up and read less if I hadn't gone under the knife.

It ended up being a great month for sequels. Maggie Stiefvater, Gail Carriger, and Margerat Ronald's second offerings REALLY impressed me, and that's saying something for the Stiefvater and the Ronald, as I was a little lukewarm the first go-around. Carriger I had a blast with the first time, but I REALLY had a blast the second.

Favorites? Definitely Gail Carriger's Changeless, Maggie Stiefvater's Linger, and Catherynne M. Valente's Palimpsest.

Most surprisingly enjoyable: Oddly, Lauren Kate's Fallen. It's not great, but despite the book's flaws, I ended up having a lot of fun with it and pre-ordered the sequel, Torment.

Biggest disappointment: That would have to go to Kay Kenyon's Maximum Ice. I've enjoyed the first two books of her The Entire and the Rose cycle so much that I had great expectations for this non-series related title, and I ended up not being impressed. Oh well.

Books added to the FOR SALE pile:

Maximum Ice (Mass Market) $3.50 plus shipping
Mistborn (Mass Market) $3.50 plus shipping

All prices are negotiable, especially when buying multiple books. :) The full sale list is here and if you're interested in any of the titles, please comment here or email me.

And you know I'll be adding A LOT MORE TITLES to the for sale list soon. And soon means as soon as I'm allowed to lift more than 10 pounds and can starting pulling books out of the closet. :) Y'all, I'm not even allowed to lift my cat right now. Of course, that's because he weighs 17 pounds, but still!

So, all that aside, what were YOUR favorite reads from August? Sequels shined this month for me, but I did a bad job and didn't read much science fiction at all. Bad me!

Which books did you love most? Which books, if any, were huge disappointments? Got a review list? Lay it all on me! :)

So Long Been Dreaming (2004)
Edited by: Nalo Hopkinson

There's no synopsis for this month's selection, because finding a good one is impossible. But know that all of the authors are actually authors of color, which I think makes for a fascinating element for an anthology. Behind the cut is the table of contents.

( So Long Been Dreaming: Table of Contents )

Last month, some of you really seemed to enjoy having an alternate/extra credit. Some of you have asked me for an alternate this month, given that this anthology is difficult to come by if you aren't going to buy it new.

This was a tough choice for me, because the theme is, well, Themed Short Story Anthologies. And if I were to pick an alternate short story anthology, it most likely would NOT be one that'd be easy to find without buying it new, which puts those needing an alternate in the same boat.

But So Long Been Dreaming is a book whose actual theme is partially focused on writers of color. So I thought, why not provide a book written by an author of color? It just so happens that I just read one that I really think fits the bill, and if you absolute HAVE to buy it new, Amazon's got it so cheap that it shouldn't make a dent in your wallet. Just click here.

So, if you want a bonus read this month, or if you simply can't get your hands on the challenge book and still want to participate with an alternate, then get your hands on Zetta Elliott's A Wish After Midnight. My review for it will be coming this week is here, but I will say that it's similar, in a good way, to Octavia E. Butler's Kindred.



And now, it's time to sign up. Now whether or not you have the book in hand, if you PLAN on participating, go ahead and comment and say so. I'm not going to track you down if you DON'T participate, but I plan on doing a special giveaway at the one-year anniversary of the book club, so the more you comment/participate/vote/etc., the better chances you have of winning something special. :)

And by the way, that anniversary? IS THIS MONTH!!! More details and celebrations coming soon!

So please, if you think you MIGHT be able to participate, comment and say so. :)

Remember, I won't post my review until the end of the month, so don't feel rushed. Again, please comment if you THINK you can participate, and may the reading fun begin! :)

For participation details, just click here.

NOTE: If you're reading the alternate selection, please say so in your comments so I know what to look for in your case. :) Also, if you plan on reading BOTH books, let me know that too, as it helps me keep track. :)

Once more, I stayed away from websites where I might do the most damage, which resulted in a pretty manageable month. Four of the books were freebies, so that also helped. And then a couple of books were pre-orders too!

One thing I'm going to do is not add my husband's acquisitions to the book bag. For starters, I rarely read the books he picks up, and also, since they aren't going into my TBR pile, why feature them here?

For those books I've already reviewed, there will be a link to said review by the title.



1) Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn (gift; signed) REVIEW
2) Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (Amazon) REVIEW
3) The Crown Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan (borrowed)
4) Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (ARC from publisher via LT) ***
5) Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs (Amazon) REVIEW
6) Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost (Amazon)
7) A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott (Amazon) ***
8) Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy (Amazon)
9) Feed by Mira Grant (Amazon) OCTOBER CHALLENGE!
10) Skin Tight by Ava Gray (Amazon)
11) Prospero in Hell by L. Jagi Lamplighter (Amazon)
12) Native Star by M.K. Hobson (guest review for Dreams & Speculation)
13) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Amazon) ***
14) Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James (ARC from book blogger)


*** = already read, review forthcoming

So that's the hall of shame for August, which isn't TOO bad. I could've done better, but I'm not going to beat myself up too badly over this month!

If you've got any questions about why certain books grabbed my attention, feel free to ask. :) But otherwise, I want to hear about all the great finds YOU got your hands on this month!

Palimpsest (2009)
Written by: Catherynne M. Valente
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 367 (Trade Paperback)

Ever since I read The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden, Catherynne M. Valente has been a must-author for me. I might not read her books right away, but I do snatch them up as soon as possible so I can enjoy them at my leisure. And it's funny: I don't have every title in her bibliography. She's written novels, poetry, and of course, many many short stories. I don't have everything, nor do I want everything (except for novels and short story collections, I want those), so is it odd that I still consider her a must author in my personal library?

However odd, I have a good reason for putting Palimpsest off as long as I have. Author Ekaterina Sedia published an anthology back in 2008 called Paper Cities: An Anthology of Urban Fantasy, which is actually fantasy stories collected together that take place in a city, thus bringing back a more literal definition of the subgenre urban fantasy: a fantasy that takes place in an urban setting. This means we don't have stories of the Buffy-Lit variety, but rather types of stories that initially carried the genre name.

Long story short: the last story of this anthology is called "Palimpsest," and you guessed it, the author of that story is Catherynne M. Valente. I'd always wanted to read the story before the novel, even though I know the story simply served as an inspiration for the novel and therefore not necessary to the novel, but my brain was convinced I had to read it first, and I never did, so I never got around to the book. Until now.

And in case you're wondering, I still haven't read that short story. :)

The premise: ganked from BN.com (I think): Between life and death, dreaming and waking, at the train stop beyond the end of the world is the city of Palimpsest. To get there is a miracle, a mystery, a gift, and a curse--a voyage permitted only to those who've always believed there's another world than the one that meets the eye. Those fated to make the passage are marked forever by a map of that wondrous city tattooed on their flesh after a single orgasmic night. To this kingdom of ghost trains, lion-priests, living kanji, and cream-filled canals come four travelers: Oleg, a New York locksmith; the beekeeper November; Ludovico, a binder of rare books; and a young Japanese woman named Sei. They've each lost something important--a wife, a lover, a direction in life--and what they will find in Palimpsest is more than they could ever imagine.

Review style: Oh, where to begin? I want to talk about structure and patterns, poetry and its place in prose, and of course, where would be we without discussing sensual content? We'll talk about where this book ranks (if it does at all) when it comes to sex in comparisons to romance, erotica, and other types of fiction. Also, since this is the final weekend before the Hugo winner is announced, I want to talk about where this book ranked among the other nominees I've read. You may be surprised by my findings. :) Spoilers, NO, so no need to skip to "My Rating" unless you just want to.

( PALIMPSEST: no spoilers )

My Rating

Keeper Shelf: But this is a misleading rating: I still stress that if you've never read Valente's work before, don't start with Palimpsest. Start instead with The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden, which is still beautiful (and actually, better than Palimpsest), but a little more accessible to readers who are not familiar with Valente's style. Which is lush and gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but it can be overwhelming for readers not familiar with her work (and for readers familiar with her work too, but at least if you've read her work before, you're acclimated then), so in short: start with The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden. Once you've done that and read the second volume, In the Cities of Coin and Spice, you'll really be able to appreciate how those two books influenced the style and structure of Palimpsest, which really pushes the envelope stylistically. Despite the premise, this book is not about sex, nor is it an excuse to write soft-core porn. Instead, it's a story about addiction, about people who are willing to sacrifice anything and everything to get what they want, and it just so happens that sex is the vehicle in which to do so. There is a point to this story, though it takes half the book to realize it will come together (or fall apart) based on one particular plot point, but the ride up until that point is surreal and beautiful, with the kinds of details that are wonderfully imaginative and tantalizing (the Brauria). This is no stereotypical fantasy in any shape, form, or fashion, and readers who want something different would do well to give Valente's work a shot. I still say you should start with a different book than Palimpsest, but once you're ready, Palimpsest is a beautiful book and well-worth the read. It's my pick to win the Hugos.

Cover Commentary: I don't know why, but it took me a long time to figure out WHAT I was looking at on the cover. I like it and it's eye-catching, but for a long time I worried that the shadow in the center of the back was an orifice on the part of a body I shouldn't be seeing on a book cover! Silly of me, I know, especially since I now look at it and see it's OBVIOUSLY a bare back. Oh well. I do like the cover, with the compass rose imprinted there, though I found myself wishing that the model on the cover had an actual black Palimpsest tattoo. Those images fascinated me, and I wish we'd see one of them on the cover.

Further Reading: I've already pimped The Orphan's Tales to death, but what do you expect when I love those books so much? Here's a list of all of her books (including her forthcoming works) if you click here, but don't forget to explore the website a little more: she also writes poetry! All of my reviews for her work may be found here.

As far as the theme, 2010 Hugo Nominees, all you need to do for THAT reading list is click here, which gives you the list of all Hugo winners and nominees since the award was founded. :) Keep in mind that all of these books are different, and just because you liked the Valente doesn't mean you'll like anyone else nominated, okay?

Speaking of nominees, here's a poll! And while it SHOULD be obvious, let me make it clear: don't vote in this particular poll if you haven't read Palimpsest, okay?

Poll #1612674 2010 Hugo Nominees
This poll is closed.
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 29

Do you think Palimpsest deserves to win the Hugo?

It's easy to say a nomination deserves to win, but what about in comparison to the OTHER nominations? Mark your pick for the 2010 Hugo, even if you haven't read all of the nominees.

More Reviews: check out the reviews book club participants have posted! If you reviewed this book but are not featured here, please comment below with a link to your review and I'll add it below.

Dirty Sexy Books: Review Here
Dreams and Speculation: Review Here
juushika: Review Here
mondyboy: Review Here
shel99: Review Here
starlady38: Review Here
starmetal_oak: Review Here
talekyn: Review Here
talkstowolves: Review Here
temporaryworlds: Review Here

Book Club Poll: this is the only way I can really track participation, so if you follow this journal, answer, okay? :) If, however, you participated but do not have an LJ account, please simply leave a comment saying so. :)

Please note: there's a new option if you've read the book prior to the challenge, so if you'd read the book prior to the challenge, but read it AGAIN for the challenge, please select the right option. :)

Poll #1612675 August Participation
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 30

Did you participate in August's book challenge by reading Catherynne M. Valente's Palimpsest?

If you started but couldn't finish it, please comment and talk about the reasons why. What turned you off from the book? How far did you go before throwing in the towel?

And as you already know, the September Book Club selection is So Long Been Dreaming, edited by Nalo Hopkinson. Some of you may have started it already, but if need additional details on the title, just click here. Be sure to sign up on September 1st!