The Name of the Star: Book Review

Novel: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Release Date: September 29th, 2011
Publisher: Putnam

Format: Hardcover Novel

Source: Austin Teen Book Festival

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888. 

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.
(Synopsis from Amazon)


Willa's Rambles:
   The newest Maureen Johnson is something new and fresh from a well beloved author, and that title is The Name of the Star. This book incorporates historical facts with present-day theories and mysteries and the outcome is a well-paced novel with twists and turns on every page. 
   One of my favorite things about The Name of the Star is how you don't know what the title stands for until you are almost done with the book, and once you do, the mystery slowly starts to piece itself together.  The mystery of the novel is all about who the new Jack the Ripper is - and why Rory can see him, and her friends can't. 
   Rory is one of those characters that you immediately bond with. She's in a new city, and she feels awkward and out of place, but she stills finds friends and trouble. Rory stays true to herself the entire book, but grows on her before-London self into her experienced-Londoner self. Maureen Johnson does a beautiful job of describing Rory and her surroundings.
   For someone who has never been to London, I got a fantastical glimpse into the streets of London and the day-to-day goings. As readers we get to find out the differences between America and London, and how Rory has to cope and adapt to these differences. 
   The Name of the Star is suspenseful, fast paced, and well beyond any book I've read of it's genre. A fantastic 2011 read.


Check out the book trailer for The Name of the Star below!

Blogger was being a bit  funky today, so I'm sorry about the unusual look. 

All These Things I've Done: Book Review

Novel: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Release Date: September 6th, 2011

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Format: Hardcover Novel

Source: Austin Teen Book Festival

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

(Synopsis from Goodreads)

Willa's Rambles:

   I admit, I have read no other Gabrielle Zevin novels, but since I finished All These Things I've Done, I can't wait to pick up Elsewhere, Memoir of a Teenage Amnesiac and others by this amazing author.

   When I got All These Things I've Done, I hadn't really read much about it - I hadn't done my usual research. I basically just based my decision off of the hype this book has gotten and the amazing cover! I mean, seriously. A dripping chocolate heart? Awesome! So, I purchased All These Things I've Done, and got it signed (if you want to see the personalized autograph, check out my ATBF recap) at Austin Teen Book Festival earlier this month. Unfortunately, I only got around to reading it this weekend. And now it's time for the guilty announcement: I read it in four hours. 

   Now, why did I finish it in four hours? Well, first of all, the pacing of the book is super fast. No descriptions of the grass in this novel. (Refer to the autograph for that joke. Think Willa Cather.) Every chapter some new exciting event has occurred, throwing Anya yet another curve ball. The best part of these constant curve balls is that Anya grows up. She learns more about herself, about her family, and the fate that she must face. 

   The plot line is incredible, and along the way you learn little details about Anya's world and each hardship Anya has encountered in her life in 2083. She has to hold her family's fate on her shoulders and take care of her older brother, younger sister, and grandmother, all while having a best friend and boy issues. Somehow she still finds time to find trouble, not only at school, but with the law and within her own family.

   This tale of family, friendship, romance, and growing up is fast-paced, addicting, and a fantastic read. Gabrielle Zevin does not disappoint.

Lola and the Boy Next Door: Book Review

Novel: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: September 29th, 2011

Publisher: Dutton

Format: Hardcover Novel

Source: Austin Teen Book Festival

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

(Synopsis from Goodreads)

Willa's Rambles:

   I am so hesitant to post this review, simply because I feel like Lola will be ripped from my hands and shared with the world, but she already has been! (And she isn't mine to be protective over. Even thought I am protective of my shared copy.)

   Lola is amazing. She is this amazing girl with amazing talents and amazing friends, and an amazingly cool life. But, as always, something goes wrong. First, it's Cricket. Then it's Max. Then it's Norah (her birth mother). Lola has this fire inside of her that you can still access as a reader, which is hard to do, and incredibly fantastic! 

   Cricket.... Oh Cricket. Cricket is cool. Cricket is sweet. Cricket is as amazing as Lola! He is the perfect guy to come back into Lola's life and help her deal with the issues that will present themselves to her. He is always there for Lola, every day, every second. 

   Let me say this. I could go on and on, and on, and on, about Lola. But I won't, because somewhere in there I will give away the ending. (It made me cry.) The story of Lola will be like the story of Anna: you will stay up until you finish it, laughing with Lola, crying with Lola, yelling at Max (and Cricket!), until you flip that last page and absorb the fact that you are done. There will be lots of crying, screaming, and moping the next morning. (I'm just warning you!)

   I still can't get Lola out of my head, and I read (and finished) her the day I got her, which was October 1st. I want Lola and Anna to work at the movie theatre with me, Cricket and St. Clair to go to college with me, and spend every second with these characters, because they are like people to me. They are these amazing people who I love and can't let go of. 

   So go get your own Lola. You will love her as much as I do. 

Oh, and while you are at it, check out Meredith of Mint Tea and a Good Book and I's tumblr for the Stephanie Perkins books! (You'll get the low-down there.) http://perkyfindings.tumblr.com/.

Austin Teen Book Festival: Oh. My. God.

The Super Long Rundown of...

AUSTIN TEEN BOOK FESTIVAL!

   For those of you who couldn't make it to the festival today, never fear! I am here to save the day, along with the Teen Press Corp who took video, photos, and interviews for you to see! You can view the blog here, the Youtube channel here, the Flickr here for photos, and the Twitter feed here to learn everything you can.

Austin Teen Book Festival started off small - not many authors, not many attendees. But now? IT'S PACKED! Signing lines are long, you can't move around, but thankfully, everyone just wants to meet authors.
It's an entirely volunteer run event, and you could see tons of volunteers all over the festival.

I had the huge honor of being in the Press division and got a press pass! (see below) This gave me the opportunity to be in the VIP Author Hospitality area where I could talk, mingle, and take photos with authors. Meredith (Mint Tea and a Good Book) and I got to talk with Stephine Perkins, author of Anna and the French Kiss and recently out Lola and the Boy Next Door. 
All of the authors were so sweet and willing to take a photo with you in an elevator, ready to sign books at any moment, and to talk to you about anything!

<----- My Press Pass that I could flash and feel famous! I don't think I ever got over the "I'm so important" feeling.

While we were in the Author Hospitality room mingling, we were surprised by the Hill Country Player's performance of the Thriller dance! All of the authors wiped out their cells were and tweeting and photo taking machines!
Maureen Johnson saw the zombies before they entered the hospitality room (by accident) and was awestruck. "Where's my camera?!" She whispered to Meredith and I while we politely escorted her away from the zombies. Her face was hilarious.

The keynote speaker was Scott Westerfeld, author of the Uglies series, Levithan series, Peeps, and Mignighters, all YA. The keynote talked about illustrated novels, and how the modern book world doesn't have illustrations like they used to.
We do have fan art though, and Westerfeld showed the crowd a few of his favorites.
"Maybe illustrated novels aren't gone - they're just from you," he ended with, referring to the fact that the novels are illustrated by readers instead of illustrators and authors.

One of the panels, Pen Fatale, made up of Alyson Noël, Mary Pearson, Jessica Brody, and Gabrielle Zevin (right to left in the photo) was hilarious and charasmatic.
Jessica Brody, author of My Life Undecided and The Karma Club is an outgoing and fantastic person - one of my favorite to meet and talk with at the festival.
Mary Pearson, author of The Jenna Fox Chronicles, and most recently The Fox Inheritance, was eager to talk about anything with you, including her ideas for the future!
Alyson Noël, author of The Immortals Series and the Riley Bloom Series, most recently Dreamland, was so sweet! She was happy to laugh and giggle with you about your book crushes.
Gabrielle Zevin, author of All These Things I've Done, Memoir of a Teenage Amnesiac, and Elsewhere noticed my nail polish and we had a conversation about that! She was a great person to talk to and eager to listen to everything you had to say.

Stephanie Perkins, author of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, unfortunately lost her phone at the event! (If you were on twitter you probably heard this.) But, on the bright side, Meredith and I got to help her look for it! Stephanie is such a sweet person with a fantastic sense of style (her boots her incredible!) and loves talking with you about anything. She was happy to answer our questions about St. Clair, the companion novel, Lola and the Boy Next Door and everyhting in between. Keep an eye out for her next, Isla and the Happily Ever After!

The signing lines.... Oh boy. These lines were to the farthest walls, curved, and sitting. An hour before authors were supposed to sign, avid fans were camped out with their books, flipping pages and enjoying their recently bought novels. Scott Westerfeld and Maureen Johnson's especially. It was amazing how much these authored were loved by their fans!
People were so willing to wait forever to get their books signed and have that split second with an author while he/she is signing your book. It's your second to connect, and many authors live for it.

The day ended though... Much to my dismay, but I left with four books, all signed by the authors! Meredith and I got the last copy of Lola and the Boy Next Door, so we had to share. (But we don't mind! I get it first though! YEAH!)

My signed copy of Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Can't wait!

 Meredith and I's signed copy of Lola and the Boy Next Door!
CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS ONE!

 Signed copy of Vanish by Sophie Jordan!
I read Firelight, and want more of Will! Hopefully he's in this one.

Signed copy of The Name of the Star! (I did some minor stalking for this one!)



I'm so happy and honored to participate in the festival. To ATBF volunteers, attendees, and authors: THANK YOU! You made today so special!









Don't forget! Tonight the giveaway end! Finish up with your submitting!