You Recommend Wednesday

Hey there lovely readers! How's things? I know I've been a little MIA lately and I'm sorry. School tends to get in the way of everything. :) I'm working on getting caught up. If you sent me an email that I haven't responded to, I'm sorry about that also. I'm hoping to get caught up on those in the next week or so here.

Ok, now to the point, it's You Recommend Wednesday, which means it's your turn to tell me what to read. So let's have it. What are you reading that I need to check out?

Eyecatcher: When Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer

When Stars Go Blue

by Caridad Ferrer

St. Martin's Griffin

http://www.caridadferrer.com/

ISBN: 9780312650049

Release Date: November 23, 2010

from the author's site:

A dancer driven to succeed.

A musical prodigy attempting to escape his past.

The summer they share.

And the moment it all goes wrong.

Dance is Soledad Reyes’s life. About to graduate from Miami’s Biscayne High School for the Performing Arts, she plans on spending her last summer at home teaching in a dance studio, saving money, and eventually auditioning for dance companies. That is, until fate intervenes in the form of fellow student Jonathan Crandall who has what sounds like an outrageous proposition: Forget teaching. Why not spend the summer performing in the intense environment of the competitive drum and bugle corps? The corps is going to be performing Carmen, and the opportunity to portray the character of the sultry gypsy proves too tempting for Soledad to pass up, as well as the opportunity to spend more time with Jonathan, who intrigues her in a way no boy ever has before.

But in an uncanny echo of the story they perform every evening, an unexpected competitor for Soledad’s affections appears: Taz, a member of an all-star Spanish soccer team. One explosive encounter later Soledad finds not only her relationship with Jonathan threatened, but her entire future as a professional dancer.

why it caught my eye:

As usual, this was a title I found while shelving books at work. I honestly can't remember at this point if it was the title or the cover that caught my atention first. I was a dancer when I was younger and dreamed of dancing professionally, so yeah, that's another plus. :) When Stars Go Blue is another addition to my wishlist. I'm looking forward to checking it out. Anyone read this one? Any thoughts?

Eyecatcher: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Between Shades of Gray

by Ruta Sepetys

Philomel (Penguin)

http://www.rutasepetys.com

http://www.betweenshadesofgray.com

ISBN: 9780399254123

Release Date: March 22, 2011

from the official book site: 

In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina is preparing for art school, first dates, and all that summer has to offer. But one night, the Soviet secret police barge violently into her home, deporting her along with her mother and younger brother. They are being sent to Siberia. Lina's father has been separated from the family and sentenced to death in a prison camp. All is lost. 

Lina fights for her life, fearless, vowing that if she survives she will honor her family, and the thousands like hers, by documenting their experience in her art and writing. She risks everything to use her art as messages, hoping they will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. 

It is a long and harrowing journey, and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive? 

why it caught my eye: 

I read about Between Shades of Gray in Publisher's Weekly, while on lunch break at work. The minute I finished the article I ran out to the sales floor and pre-ordered my copy. I don't normally read books of such a serious nature, but I know this is one I need to read. Part of the reason for such interest on my part is that I'm of Lithuanian descent and it's not often that I find books about Lithuanians. Not only that, but Ruta Sepetys is writing about a part of Lithuanian (and Latvian and Estonian) history that many people know nothing about. I think it's great that this story is being told. I can't wait to get my copy and start reading it. I recommend you check it out today, or rather,  a week from today when it releases. :)

Review: The Line by Teri Hall

The Line

by Teri Hall

Dial

http://www.terihall.com

ISBN: 978083734661

Release Date: March 4, 2010

(above information is for the hardcover edition)

from the author's site: 

Rachel lives with her mother on The Property. The good thing about living there is that it’s far from the city where the oppressive government is most active. The bad thing, at least to most people, is that it’s close to the Line—an uncrossable section of the National Border Defense System, an invisible barrier that encloses the entire country.

She can see the Line from the greenhouse windows, but she is forbidden to go near it. Across the Line is Away, and though Rachel has heard many whispers about the dangers there, she’s never really believed the stories. Until the day she hears a recording that could only have come from across the Line.

It’s a voice asking for help.

Who sent the message? What is her mother hiding? And to what lengths will Rachel go in order to do what she thinks is right?

my thoughts: 

The Line is my current book club book for my Young Adult book club, but I've been curious about it for awhile now. It's a very interesting, engrossing read. Teri Hall's writing is very smooth and it's so easy to sit down with The Line and become immersed in the story. 

I was so immersed reading about Rachel, Vivian, and Ms. Moore that I was a bit jarred by the ending. I had a moment of "Wait where's the next page?" Thankfully book 2, Away will be releasing in September. Here's hoping I have the patience to wait that long. 

If you're a fan of dystopian stories or really just like books that look at our world a little differently I strongly recommend checking out The Line. It's a quick read, and I imagine once you're done, like me, you'll find yourself wishing September would get here faster. And even better The Line will be available in paperback very soon - current release listed on Amazon is April 14th.

You Recommend Wednesday

Well readers, it's that time of the week again. It's time for you to tell me what to read. So come on, out with it, what are you reading and loving right now?

Eyecatcher: The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

The Iron Witch

by Karen Mahoney

Flux

http://www.kazmahoney.com

ISBN: 9780738725826

Release Date: January 25, 2011

from the author's site: 

FREAK. That’s what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna’s own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

why it caught my eye: 

This was one that I started hearing about online before coming across it at work. I was intrigued simply because the word "witch" was in the title. I can't help it. I love all things witchy, especially stories. Granted the description talks more about Faeries than witches but that's okay too. I like faerie stories also. 

Anyone out there read this one yet? What did you think? 

You Recommend Wednesday

Hey there lovely readers! Well, like most of the Midwest I'm snowed in for the day. Which makes today the perfect day for reading and blogging. :) So what do you all have for me? What's everyone reading these days? Me, I'm in a big Steampunk mood right now so that's what I'm reading.


And for your viewing pleasure here's the view outside my basement bedroom window: