Find books you love and get the most out of your reading.
I’ve loved all Robin Benway’s books since way, way back in the olden days of YA (okay, 2008) when I read Audrey, Wait! But I have to admit that I wasn’t super-excited about reading Far From The Tree based on the description. It sounded a little soap-opera-ish for my taste. And I was right – it was, but in a good way! Check out my Review of Far From the Tree
I’m not a big fan of time travel books, but I did really like Ryan Graudin’s Wolf by Wolf. While I loved the premise of this, I thought it abandoned the coolest part of the story to focus on something I found less interesting. Check out my full review of Invictus below!
[Read more…]
Fall means changing weather (cooler soon where I am, I hope!) new books AND new shows to watch. So welcome to:
I’ve made my streaming list and programmed the DVR! Here are eight new shows I’m planning to check out. (I’m also looking forward to Season Two of Stranger Things, but that is for another post.)
Here’s my list (which may get revised) and my take on the first two shows I tried: The Deuce (HBO) and American Vandals (Netflix)
American Vandals (Netflix) Watch the trailer here.
I really wasn’t sure about this one. I’ve never been a big mockumentary watcher. (I’ve never seen Best in Show or This is Spinal Tap.) But it’s set in a high school and I review YA, so I thought: hey, why not?
Watched episode one and my reaction is “meh.” It does a good job of satirizing true crime shows but for me the joke wore off after about 10 minutes. (I did warn you about my short attention span!) To me, this just seemed like boring guy humor — the entire mystery revolves around giant male genitals spray painted on teachers’ cars. Yawn. (Then I read spoilers and … no thanks.)
Verdict: I’d rather watch a real documentary
The Deuce (HBO) Watch the trailer here.
George Pelecanos. David Simon. Maggie Gyllenhaal. James Franco. What’s not to like here? This is a show set in gritty 1970s New York, and I love shows set in New York.
Watched the first episode and was really impressed by the amazing production values. But I soon realized that this was way too depressing for me, focusing heavily on prostitution and pornography. Watching this reminded me of forcing my way through Taxi Driver because of Robert de Niro and Jodie Foster.
Verdict: Try it if you loved Taxi Driver, and I’m sure it will win awards, but not for me.
Will Dynasty fulfill my love for shallow Bravo-style TV? Can Edie Falco in Law and Order: True Crime or Kyra Sedgwick in Ten Days in the Valley give me strong female characters and gripping suspense? Am I brave enough for Mindhunter? Is Liar the addictive new British show I’ve been looking for?
Tell me in comments what you’re planning to watch this fall!
Moxie is a story about a girl who’s fed up with sexism at her school and decides to try to secretly rally her classmates to fight back. Viv is shy but, inspired by feminism, learns to stand up for herself and inspire others to do the same. Check out my Review of Moxie!
I’m not a big fantasy reader, but one of the fantasy writers I love is Kristin Cashore. Her Graceling Realm companion books are YA classics filled with amazing worldbuilding and memorable characters. I was intrigued when I heard that she was writing something that wasn’t fantasy. I’m not sure what genre to call this — it’s genre-bending, for sure. Check out my Review of Jane Unlimited
The short: I’ve been a fan of Gabrielle Zevin since I read Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. Then I interviewed Gabrielle Zevin in 2013! I loved her Anya Balanchine series. And of course I read and enjoyed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.
Zevin’s writing always feels smart and witty and she’s not afraid to take stylistic risks. While Young Jane Young isn’t YA, it’s a story told by several generations of women — centered around a very public scandal involving one of them — that I think will appeal to readers who love stories about real (flawed, strong, funny) female characters.