First of all, well done, Mr. Bacigalupi, in not making this YA a love triangle. And while we're at it, although there is a love interest, and while it is central to the plot, it is not central to the writing. Amazing. I also love any dystopian that is plausible- where it is an ecological boo boo and we are all left to survive. And, I love the fact that this is about family/crew/etc.
So, for those of you who know nothing about this book, it is set in New Orleans after 100s of years of devastating hurricanes that have turned the city into waterlogged ways. Nailer, who has a horrific father, tries to scrape by (literally) to survive. After a storm, he and a crew mate sees a clipper, goes to scavange it, and then finds a girl. Hm, she says she is rich and can give him a better life, but she also brings with her some political baggage...what to do, what to do with her.
We Were Here by Matt de la Pena (5/5 stars)
Ugh, hate books that make me cry. Miguel, Rondell (two l's) and Mong are three boys that meet up in a group home (Rondell and Miguel first met at a JDC). Miguel and Mong hate each other, but they decide, with Rondell tagging along to run away. During this time, Miguel does some soul searching. I don't know if I like the group home therapist, though, as I think my husband is a way better therapist at his group home, but maybe I'm just biased :-) The only beef I had with this book is that it ended too soon. I wanted to find out more about Miguel and his mom, and how their lives really end (hard to explain without spoilers). Next up, the Living.
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (3/5 stars)
Twins must have a special bond, and this book capitalized on it, but in a great way. I loved that the closeness of the twins took an extreme twist and they no longer liked each other, but actually switched the roles as outsider and inner circle. The twist, however, was predictable. I'm not the greatest at figuring things out, but I did fairly quickly in this book. However, the relationships between the twins was amazing, and I liked "Oscore". He was a cheeky chap.
Legend by Marie Lu (4/5 stars)
I think every dystopian has to have these elements: rich versus poor which are segregated by the government, and a war or an impending war/insurgency (sometimes plagues). This book is no different in that regard. But it was enjoyable. June is a prodigy, and is determined to find the ruffian who killed her brother. The ruffian, Day, of course, is a nice guy, a Jean Valjean. And then the two meet...nothing exceptional yet high on the dystopian list in my opinion. I just can't explain why.
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (4/5 stars)
An intense book- not a quick read, but worth it. A long time ago I saw a movie called serendipity. Do you remember it? A girl writes her phone number in the book Love in the Time of Cholera If the boy she is interested in finds the book, then it is meant to be. I want to rematch the movie, because there are some interesting parallels. But back to the book, I think it is a true exploration of love. There were some situations that were definitely not ok with me, but maybe it was the day and age, or maybe it was meant not to be ok. Either way, interesting, and I'm sure it will be an interesting book club!
Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (4/5 stars)
Clever, very, very clever. Definitely a series that I will invest my time with. Although people have written about the crossover between characters and books and reality, I have to say this is the most original, interesting one yet! Although, I feel as though I must read Jane Eyre now....
Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker (2/5 stars)
More of a 2.5, really. I feel like this is a YA wannabe but with more explicit sex scenes. Kacey is an angry teen who is booking it away with her 15 year old sister from the epitome of über Christian aunt and creepy uncle who tries To do things that are completely unacceptable. Her parents, best friend and boyfriend have died ina car accident (she was the only survivor) from a drunk driver. So her only way of dealing with things is to beat a bag at the gym. Her sister is awesome, well adjusted, and pretty much takes care of her older sister. Of course, they have to meet this boy that makes Kacey's stomach twist and turn (ugh, we got it the first time, really not necessary to tell us every other page) who is creepy in his own way. And we also meet storm, a bar tender at a strip joint who happens to also be a acrobat. I don't think I'll read the others. I don't think I'll recommend it either. Actually, now that I think about it, I take back the 2.5 and downgrade it to 2.
Jackaby by William Ritter (3/5 stars)
I don't think I can say anything new that everyone else is probably thinking- a paranormal BBC Sherlock Holmes in the early 1800's. Interesting, cute, and quirky. I like quirky. However, I wonder if I would have had the same impression if I hadn't already watched all the Holmes movies am suffering from a lack of Sherlock in my life. This doesn't complete me, but is a tidy snack of Sherlock.