From A to Z Books: Confessions of A Murder Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Dear Z,

James Patterson has been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember. His adult mysteries have graced the bookshelves of my living room and I have watched my mom and dad devour them as I fell asleep on the couch. And when I was old enough I read The Maximum Ride series, I obsessed actually. I was in fifth grade and it was summer and I read through as many as I could, and then followed them as they came out after that. It was the first series that I read as the books came out. So when I heard James Patterson was co-authoring a new YA series I knew I had to pick it up.

Confessions of A Murder Suspect is about a group of kids, siblings, Tandoori, Mathew, Harrison, and Hugo Angel and their parents Malcolm and Maud have just been murdered, and the biggest suspects are the Angel children themselves. The main protagonist is Tandoori (Tandy) Angel and she has made it her mission to solve the murder and catch the killer, but here’s the freaky part it may even be her. There’s more than just murder shrouding the Angel children in shadow. Gradually we learn the Angel children aren’t normal, in fact they are all out freaks of nature. Tandy struggles with memory lost, and a robot like lack of emotion, Mathew and Hugo have super strength, both have “hulk outs” as Tandy lovingly calls them, and then Harry is Tandy’s twin and the artistic protege.

Following Tandy through the skeletons in her families closet is riveting, Tandy is an interesting voice and her narrative flows smoothly. Sprinkled throughout the storyline are her confessions, for as reader we are serving as a sort of confidant to Tandy; someone whom she doesn’t have to worry about lying to her face, or killing her family. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and drama in this book and by the end I almost didn’t want to know who killed their parents, too scared for the Angel children. At every turn Patterson and Paetro threw me through a loop, never did I guess just what would happen next. I flew through this book (as much as we can with papers and spring fever) and I recommend it to anyone who loves the other YA books co-authored by Patterson, including Alex Rider, Maximum Ride, Daniel X, and Witch and Wizard. Also go check out the other mystery series by this specific duo, Women’s Murder club and Private series. I can’t wait to pick up the next in this series, already out. Okay I’m done plugging, but Patterson is a favorite so i guess I’m allowed!

Until The Next Read,

A

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From Z to A: The Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi

Dear Aly,

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to mourn the loss of my sanity. My family thinks I’m having a psychotic breakdown or something. I was reading Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi on the couch, and simultaneously laughing, crying, and screaming. I kid you not, this series broke me.

In Unravel Me, Juliette, Adam, and Kenji have escaped to Omega Point. Juliette is learning how to control and harness her powers, and the citizens of Omega Point are armed and ready for a military strike from the Reestablishment, headed by Warner. Things should be going great for them. But they’re not. Juliette and Adam are having problems and the threat of war looms on the horizon. Annnnnnd on top of all that, Warner’s father, the supreme commander of the Reestablishment has just showed up to set things right and teach Warner a few lessons.

In Ignite Me, things are crazy. Juliette and the remaining citizens of Omega Point plan to take control of Warner’s sector 45 (with his help!!!) and challenged the supreme commander himself, in an all out battle that will result in either total victory or death.

In Unite Me, we get the stories of Warner (Destroy Me) and Adam (Fracture Me). Each of these novellas give us major insight into what motivates each of the characters… and we may not exactly like what we find. Warner is obsessed with getting Juliette back, but with his father on base, there is little he can do, and much he is punished for. Adam loves his brother more than life itself, but it might cost him more than he thinks to protect him.

I’m naming the stupidity that Adam develops “Four syndrome”; basically, he’s got everything, but he’s also letting his own selfish fear hinder the relationship (see: Divergent!)

AND I WAS SO WRONG ABOUT WARNER. Boy was I wrong. We don’t hate Warner. I take back every bad thing I’ve said about him. He’s just too precious. The scenes between him and Juliette are breathtaking. And beautiful

Again, Tahereh Mafi’s innovative writing shines. She’s unbelievably and undeniably talented, and she uses her full ability to rope the reader in and hit you with so many interesting and thought-provoking images and metaphors. Her physical descriptions (HELLO Warner) are wonder-inducing, and her scenes are brilliant

And Aly… Chapter 62 of Unravel Me and chapter 55 and 56 and 58 of Ignite Me. They wrecked me. They swallowed me whole and digested me and have no intent on returning me to the real world. I’m so in awe of these chapters. I spent the whole time reading them with a fist pressed to my mouth to keep from squealing. I can’t even

Go read the Shatter Me series. Do it, no questions, just go buy it now.

Happy reading (and ugly crying from me),

Zoe

 

And sorry, but here it is again, me with the genius behind the series, Tahereh Mafi!!

at Tahereh Mafi’s signing! Isn’t she gorgeous??!

From A to Z: Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Dear Z,

Are you a Good witch or a Bad witch? In this re-imagining of the world of Oz the right answer isn’t so clear. In Danielle Paige’s Dorothy Must Die we see an Oz worse for wear since Dorothy and her tornado touched down. In fact Dorothy is the main problem, and Dorothy, you guessed it, needs to die. Paige takes these characters well known and loved and turns everything on its head. Nothing is how anyone remembers in Oz, especially not how Amy remembers it anyway. Amy is another Kansas born gal and she too rode a tornado to Oz. But once she landed there was no happy munchkins, or glittering Good Witch in a bubble. In fact it all just seems very bleak. Amy soon learns that a lot more has happened since Dorothy came back to Oz.

From the first few chapters I was already in love with where this book was going. Amy has bubblegum pink hair and a deadbeat mom. Her main enemy at school is a teen mom, and all she wants is to get away, stop being hated. However ending up in a dying Oz with her pet rat Star wasn’t exactly what she had pictured. And if that isn’t baddass enough Paige offers us tons more. Amy must train to fight Dorothy and the twisted versions of The Lion,The Scarecrow, and The Tin Man. Oh and get this, Glinda is bad, Wicked is the resistance, and monkeys are cutting off their wings! Yeah this isn’t the same old Oz and it sure as hell isn’t Kansas.

As the reader we stay with Amy the whole way through, learning as she learns about the horrors of Dorothy’s Oz. It was a book that kept me guessing, and with everyone telling Amy not to trust anyone, I couldn’t help but share her feeling of bewilderment. Between The Wingless Ones, The Wizard, and The Order (all different forms of resistance against Dorothy) even now I’m not sure just who Amy should pledge herself to. And I guess I will have to wait to find out as this book ends in the middle of a battle between well Dorothy & Co. versus everyone else.

Paige also offers up her own gang of fabulous original characters from Ollie and Maude the Monkeys, the people involved in the Order, including perfect weapon/boy wizard Nox, and many others. Danielle Page takes the inhabitants of Oz and expands upon them, takes the world and blows it up. There is magic and battles, cruel deaths, and yes even a dash of Love. I can’t wait to jump back into Danielle Paige’s Oz once more in her prequel novella, only available online.

Until The Next Read,

A

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From Z to A: A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller

Dear Aly,

I feel like I appreciate all the privilege we receive in the 21^st century more after having read A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller!

Victoria Darling is an artist. While at a finishing school in France, she’s secretly taking art classes at a prestigious atelier. Then one day when the model doesn’t show up, she volunteers to be the model… NUDE model. Needless to say, word quickly gets out and Victoria is shipped back home, where her disappointed parents take away her art supplies, engage her to a totally boring and upright boy man Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. Then, Victoria sets her mind on getting into art school, but as she’s drawing some suffragettes, she gets mistaken for one and is arrested! Her father finds out and takes her sketchbook full of all her work After being released quietly by the friendly Police Constable William Fletcher, she adopts him as her muse, recreating her sketchbook, but with sketches of him. Only problem is… she’s still engaged to Edmund.

This is a beautiful standalone novel. I actually didn’t expect it to include the suffragettes, but was pleasantly surprised when I began reading. Sometimes I feel like books that include certain group rights can become a little bit preachy. I did not feel like A Mad, Wicked Folly was preachy at all! It’s a gorgeous narrative about a girl who realizes that she can make her own decisions in life, be happy, make her own way, and fall in love. Will is smart, caring, stupid at times (but really, who isn’t?), and all around lovely. What I really loved was how real the characters were. Edmund had moments where he really shined and I thought he could be a decent guy, but then he snaps back to what men were expected to be during the Edwardian era. The book teaches determination and tenacity, acceptance, and forgiveness.

I came away from A Mad, Wicked Folly very empowered, grateful for the life I have, and invigorated about historical novels. Sherry Biggs Waller writes with precision, accuracy, and she made me fall in love with Victoria from the very first pages!

Happy reading,

Zoe

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books!!!

Dear Aly,

This past weekend was heaven for book nerds!!! The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is like “Coachella for normal people” (an actual quote by an actual person who passed by me!) I wish I could have packed you away in my suitcase and taken you with me, it was so amazing!

First off, this festival is HUGE!!! It takes over basically the entire main campus of USC! There are little white tents everywhere, lined up in neat little rows. Publishing house representatives abound, with stacks of their best sellers. There was food trucks (yum!), entertainment, and even games for the kids!

Of course the main draw is the more well-known authors. The likes of John Green, Giada DiLaurentiis, T. C. Boyle, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Rob Delaney, Veronica Roth, and Rainbow Rowell topped the lists. A lot of these bigger events required tickets to get in, since they were in larger, indoor halls. I heard the line for the John Green signing was like 2500 people long! That’s a lot of Nerdfighters!

The events I went straight to were all near the YA stage (no surprise there!). Right when I arrived, Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles series) and Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass series) were both holding signings. Finally, my opportunity to buy The Assassin’s Blade and have it signed!!!!

The epic Sarah J. Maas had all her fans sign HER copy of Throne of Glass as well, how cute!

Marissa Meyer! What a cutie

Other amazing YA authors present were: Leigh Bardugo, Laurie Halse Anderson, E. Lockhart, Amy Tintera, Lauren Myracle, Cecil Castellucci, Lauren Oliver, Stephanie Perkins, Laini Taylor, Ann Brasheres, Eoin Colfer, Melissa De La Cruz, and so many more!!!

For me, the main main main thing I could not miss was the Tahereh Mafi signing. You all know how deep my love for Tahereh runs, I was soooooo stoked to meet her and have her sign my shiny brand new copy of Ignite Me! She was so sweet and beautiful and poised and ahhhh I could go on forever! My only regret was that I should have sought out Ransom Riggs as well, since he was having a signing at around the same time. But the starry-eyed effect Tahereh created in me lasted far too long for me to function enough to find Ransom. Meh.

at Tahereh Mafi’s signing! Isn’t she gorgeous??!

If you’re book-nerdy like us, you HAVE to check out the Festival of Books!! I know there’s a ton of similar festivals around the country, so if there’s one near you, go! It’s free, you get to be around like-minded people, books, and just have a good time! It’s a really cool environment, and judging by the amount of people who showed up and hung around all day, I’m confident that books are here to stay!

Read read read! Whether it’s on an eReader, a hard copy, on your computer or phone, just READ! It’s so good for you, it’s exciting, and you get to explore worlds you never knew existed!!

Happy Reading,

Zoe

All my signed books!

YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy panel: Leigh Bardugo, Marissa Meyer, Cecil Castellucci, Sarah J. Maas!

Photo credits to Karina DePiano

From A to Z: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Dear Z,

As you know dear readers Zoe and I are (FINALLY!!!) on our spring break and because of this we actually have time to binge read! For example today I started and finished my second John Green novel, you guessed it, An Abundance of Katherines. Now this book came out in 2006 so some of you out there (Zoe included) have already read it. And if for any reason you haven’t and this sounds like your thing go ahead and pick it up at your nearest book store or even Target.

Upon starting this book this morning I was unsure on just how I liked it. To me the starting point was kind of odd. Our main character is Colin, a child prodigy who has been dumped 19 times by girls all named Katherine. We join him after his High School graduation and 19th Katherine. His best friend decides a road trip is in order and some how these two end up in a rural town in the middle of nowhere in Tennessee. And that is when the story actually gets interesting. Before that you feel sort of like you are waiting for the plot.

This book does however from that point on entrance you. You meet Lindsey and her mother and their pink mansion. The boys get easy time jobs and stay in this rural town becoming friends with the people in town as they work. In the end each character grows up just that little bit. The deadbeat best friend who just wants to watch Judge Judy, the girl who changed her whole self to be popular, and the boy stuck in his own head. This book definitely hits home to any of us who have graduated high school and then asked ourselves who the heck am I and just what am I supposed to do with myself now? I know I asked myself that question and sometimes I still do. But John Green uses this nerdy know-it-all to explore a kid asking himself the big questions for the first time.

If slice of life with a sweet rural background are your thing, seriously go pick An Abundance of Katherines up. If you have read other John Green novels and fallen in love with his quirky yet raw style you should also give this book a shot. And if you are in high school I definitely recommend it, consider it the type of assigned reading you wish you had.

Until the Next Read,

A

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From A to Z: Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge

Dear Z,

You know our dear supervisor named Norman Partridge, but to give some background for anyone else, Partridge hired me to work at my college’s library. He is now one of my supervisors along with a bunch of other really cool people. Partridge has written several books besides Dark Harvest and I will definitely be picking them up. Partridge’s style is very fluid, his words paint a picture. His words are elegant. And I loved his book.

Dark Harvest is a total Twilight Zone type of experience. There’s a small town and every year on Halloween night boys are let loose to kill a nightmare, The October Boy. When you begin this book you won’t quite know what is happening, but pieces of the puzzle are revealed the further along you read, as the stakes of the night go up and up. Partridge told me I wouldn’t be able to put his book down once I’d started and he was correct. I needed to know Pete McCormick’s story, just who the October Boy is, and what is going on in this middle-of-nowhere town. And when Partridge tells you, you cannot believe it. The book is well paced, keeping the reader turning the pages, and trying to figure out the puzzle. The reader is addressed several times in the book making you feel like a ghost walking the streets, watching the story unfold. The ending is satisfying, especially if you like a happier ending like myself.

If you like any of the many paranormal shows that have gained popularity as of late this book will draw you in. If you ever watched old episodes of Twilight Zone you will feel the nostalgia, and you will discover a style of writing that soothes you, and rocks you, and takes you on one hell of a ride. If anything this book will make you reevaluate any legends you have heard, and learn that maybe the most evil thing you can come across isn’t the thing that goes bump in the night.

Until The Next Read,

A

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From A to Z: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Z,

Scott Westerfield is a God, a God among authors. I was wary picking up Uglies, having not really had a high opinion of it the one other time I tried to read it in middle school. But I was surprised and I’m glad because this series swept me up and took me for a ride. Uglies is about a world where everyone is ugly, at least that’s what society tells them. And then they get a surgery to be pretty and everything is parties and fun times in New Pretty Town. Tally is almost 16, so close to being a Pretty. But her road isn’t very smooth. This world is full of hover-boards and futuristic gadgets as well as great characters. Tally does something in this book, sacrifices something I don’t know if I could, which has made em immensely eager to read the second book, Pretties.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I really enjoyed it being a dystopia without breaking my heart at the same time. I got to genuinely enjoy the ride without too many feels. And after being ravaged by the world and characters and stories the likes of The Hunger Games and Divergent, being able to power read through a dystopia that wasn’t gonna break my heart but still keep me enthralled was truly nice.

The Uglies Series is like the big sister to The Hunger Games and Divergent etc. The series came out in the early 2000s and is still a great example of the YA Dystopian Lit. that is so popular now. I would say that if you weren’t into dystopia before (like moi) and you now are (also like moi) you definitely need to pick it up. Not to mention the cover redesign is absolutely gorgeous!

Until the Next Read,

A

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