Book Review: Tempest

Tempest
By Julie Cross
St. Martin's Griffin
Publication date: January 17, 2012
ISBN: 978-0312568894

Let me be honest - time travel is hard for me to understand. It's really easy for a book to glaze over the fundamentals, and let the reader flounder around trying to grab onto the ins and outs. It's really hard for an author to offer a new take that's not just unique, but also understandable. Julie Cross not only got me to understand time travel, but see it in a new light and actually (gasp) enjoy it! Not since The Time Traveler's Wife (book, not movie) had I enjoyed the plot devise so much.

Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer (amazing name, right?) is a rich kid with a great girlfriend. His life is normal - except for the fact that he can time travel. Although it's not normal time travel - he can go to the past, but his actions have no affect on the future. That is, until mysterious men barge into his girlfriend's dorm and shoot her. Watching his girlfriend gasp for breath, Jackson unwillingly time travels two years into the past - 2007 - but this time, he's actually there and he can't return to his present. While in 2007, Jackson must figure out who those people were, what is actually going on around him in his life, and how to get back and save his girlfriend.

Let me tell you - the book is intensely awesome. I was hooked from the first page, getting into the character traits and stories. And then BOOM I'm in 2007, learning all about the character's lives before I met them. It was great, meeting people with Jackson and putting together little pieces along the way. Because of course Jackson isn't the only time traveler. And of course his life isn't as it seems.

As as mentioned, the time traveling aspect is described quite nicely. Cross almost literally says "scrap what you think about time travel - let's start over," which worked well. She has her own take, and it's nicely drawn out. As is the epic (and I mean epic) plot that's slowly revealed, where Jackson realizes that he kind of has to help save the world.

Oh and Jackson? I loved Jackson. I loved how richy rich he was at first, and how he matured through the process. How caring he is because, really, all he wants to do is save his girlfriend's life. He could easily give up and try to live a new life, but oh no. Jackson is determined. Holly, the girl, is a great secondary character, but I really loved Adam, the geeky friend who helps Jackson figure out his time traveling capabilities. And Jackson's father is extremely interesting; I hope the sequels explore his life even more.

Which brings me to my biggest complaint with the book - I have to wait for the sequels! It's a trilogy, of course; I hating having to wait to know what happens next. The book ends at a really great place -  the main conflict is over - but the bigger, epic battle is still to come. I'm afraid I may forget things during my time away from Jackson.

There is a very short prequel that was released, which I'll write about later. But for now, give Tempest a chance. There's a reason a movie adaptation is already in production. (Who will play Jackson?) It's engaging, addictive, and really, really intense.

Check out the first four chapters here.

Happy 2012!

Happy 2012! 

Also, Happy Blogversary to HDS! Half-Deserted Streets started exactly four years ago. It's changed over time, but has always been quite close to my heart. Thank you all for reading it over the years.

Book Review: How To Save A Life

How to Save a Life
By Sara Zarr
Little, Brown and Company 
Release date: October 18, 2011
ISBN: 978-0316036061

When I first heard about How To Save A Life, I immediately thought of the Fray song with the same name (and then, of course, Grey's Anatomy).


You guys - remember how good the show was back during seasons 1 and 2? Have you seen it lately? Me neither. So because of this connection, I thought "eh, I'll pass." And then I saw the title pop up on all of the "Best of Lists."

Well then.

So I got it and read it and I'm really happy I did! I'm not sure if it'll make my Best Of list, but I did really enjoy it.

Jill MacSweeney just lost her dad in a car accident. She's isolated herself from her friends, boyfriend and mom, and has become a more somber, more caustic version of her former self. So of course she loses it when her mom decides to adopt a baby. Mandy Kalinowski has never really known family. Her mom is viscous, and her dad nonexistent. So when she falls pregnant, she decides to give the baby up to a caring mother. That's how the two girls meet, when Mandy gets off a train and runs right into Jill's life.

Told from both Jill and Mandy's perspectives, it's a book about family, in all of its different definitions. It's about loss, acceptance, and moving forward. It's about friendship and relationships, and ultimately it's about caring.

As mentioned, I quite enjoyed How to Save a Life and definitely know why it's been so favorably spoken about. With a rich story, it was beautifully written, and extremely grabbing. Both characters had defined, distinct voices which rang true. Zarr did a phenomenal job creating them. But most impressively were their changes. Subtle, ever so subtle, the girls became so much more in the end as they learned to let people in. I found myself hating Jill at one moment, and loving her the next, unsure when or how that switch happened. It was fantastic.

The book is hard at times; Mandy has been through some truly terrible situations. And while they're awful, they show how strong a character she is, despite not seeming like one at first. And of course there's a love story, which is careful and sweet and perfect.

I highly recommend Zarr's book; it's full of hope, family and love.

Also, the title really does work. 

Bonus link:
Book Soundtrack!

Book Review: The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1
By hitRECord & Joseph Gordon-Levitt
It Books
Publication date: December 6, 2011
ISBN: 978-0062121660
 
"The universe is not made of atoms; it's made of [tiny] stories." -Muriel Rukeyser [& wirrow]

Actor/artist/producer Joseph Gordon-Levitt created the website hitRECord as a place where artists of every kind can come together and collaborate. A creative commons like environment, it's considered an "open-collaborative production company." Essentially, all users work together to create art, whether it's by adding images, photos, texts, footage, music, etc. One person can submit a drawing. Another dabbles with it. Another adds text. Another colors it in. Etc. All work is everyone's.

Since its inception, there have been live shows, films, CDs, shirts, documentaries and more. The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1 is the first collaborative tiny book. The book's goal is to showcase that a big idea can come from a tiny story.

From first looking at it, the book is adorable. It is tiny, about the size of my hand, but the stories are not. They may be short in words, but not in ideas. Each tiny tale is accompanied by a drawing representing it. Each little story is a collaborative effort, as noted in the back where each contributor is listed

I really enjoyed the book. The stories range from sweet to sad, beautiful to funny. With each being so short, it's easy to finish the book in less than an hour. But, despite it being such a short read, it's really one that sticks with you. Reminiscent of the Six-Word Memoir books, it's more touching, more charming. Perhaps it's because there's no limit on words, but still. It's amazing how a full story can be told in just a handful of words and one image. It's terrific how people can work together to produce a final concept.

The Tiny Stories project is still going on, and still encouraging people to participate. So if you're interested in lending an idea, an image, a word to a story, go for it. Perhaps you'll be featured in volume 2, a sequel I'm definitely looking forward to experiencing.



Learn more about hitRECord here.

Interview: Jessica Martinez

Recently I reviewed Jessica Martinez's debut novel, Virtuosity. She kindly agreed to answer a few questions for HDS regarding her new novel and her writing career. Read on!

How did you come up with the story for Virtuosity?
I started with one scene—a girl lying on a balcony, dangling her million-dollar violin off the edge—and envisioned all the different things that could lead her this point of desperation. With every attempted draft (there were many and they were all different!) I came back to that same scene and knew it had to all come from there.

There are three major story lines - Carmen's budding relationship with Jeremy; Carmen dealing with anti-anxiety medicine; and Carmen's relationship with her mother. What made you want to focus on each?
The central theme of breaking free from control is developed through both the relationship with her mother and her addiction to the medication. I like that they are both things that a normal teen may be dealing with—drugs and moms—so even though Carmen’s world is so unique, her problems aren’t. As for Jeremy, the novel is not a romance in the sense that it’s the central storyline. He’s a catalyst for her move towards independence. I like that about him and wanted to show that he doesn’t solve her problems, but he helps her realize she must solve them on her own.

What do you want your readers to get out of Virtuosity?
I want them to feel Carmen’s transformation from being controlled to making her own decisions. I also want them to respect her integrity. She consistently chooses the high road, and I love that about her.

I saw that you were a former violinist. What was your favorite song to play on the violin?
I’ve got too many to list, but one of my favorite concertos to play is the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. It’s the concerto Carmen is learning for the Guarneri competition in the book. It’s passionate and beautiful and DIFFICULT.

Do you have plans for another novel?
I do! My next novel (title still being decided) comes out next fall. It’s about sisters and secrets and lies and love—how’s that for vague?! Oh, and my good news: I just signed a deal with Simon Pulse for two more books in fall 2013 and 2014. They will both be stand-alone contemporary realistic fiction.

Thanks Jessica!

Book Review: Blue Christmas

Blue Christmas
By Mary Kay Andrews
Harper Collins
Publication date: October 24, 2006
ISBN: 978-0061146015

It's Christmas time, so I've been in the mood for good ol' fashioned Christmas-y books. I saw an ad on the Harper Collins website for Blue Christmas, originally out in 2006, and thought to give it a try. I haven't read anything else by Mary Kay Andrews, but I know the name. And name recognition is half the battle, right?

Antique shop owner Weezie Foley loves the holidays, so much so that she's determined to win Savannah's historic district's annual decorating contest. Competition arises, however, from the competing store across the street - a trendy antiques store that's pulling out all the stops, including fake snow and a choir. But as Weezie puts the final touches on her display, things start going wrong. Pieces of her display go missing. Food is stolen from her house. Her dog runs away and then is mysteriously found inside her truck. But with all that, good spirited Weezie still wants to make the most of the holidays and perhaps get her moody Christmas-hating boyfriend, Daniel, to stop being sour and possibly propose.

The book features characters from Andrews' other books, Savannah Breeze and Savannah Blues. I haven't read them, and thankfully that doesn't get in the way of enjoying the book. I am interested in following up with Savannah Breeze, though, because it follows Bebe's story, Weezie's best friend. And Bebe ended up being my favorite character. I like strong female characters who don't mind spilling coffee to get their way.

The book is full-on cheesy, but in a fun way. It's a book moms and grandmothers will adore because it's full of charm and adorableness. Did I like it? Sure, it was an easy, cute read that did, in fact, get me into the Christmas spirit. The story is simple and completely predictable, but that's nice around the holidays, right?

Two things that got to me, though: first, Andrews has four gay characters. That's awesome - I'm all for more gay characters in literature. I applaud her for doing that. However, every time one is mentioned, it's repeated that they're gay. It's as if it's required - if we say Manny, we must say the gay competition across the street! We get it, we don't need to be reminded. Also, at one point, a young child is playing a Game Boy. Now, I'm pretty sure the book takes place in the 2000s. Most children have no clue what a Game Boy is, nor would they ever want to play one.

Minor complaints aside, it's a fun book that you'll finish in about a day. While called Blue Christmas, the book is anything but that. It's full of life, and brings the historic streets of Savannah to life.

Book Review: Virtuosity

Virtuosity
By Jessica Martinez
Simon Pulse
Publication date: October 18, 2011
ISBN: 978-1442420526
 
Carmen, an extremely gifted violin player, is about to compete in one of the biggest competitions of her life. The winner has their life set as a classical violin musician. It's what all of her years of practice and performance have led up to. But two weeks before, she meets her major competition, Jeremy King, and against all plans, falls for him. Despite her mom's warnings that he's just trying to distract her, Carmen sees Jeremy secretly and starts living a life of her own, ignoring the one carefully created for her. But as the competition approaches, Carmen must decide of Jeremy is for real, if her family has her best interests in mind, and if she wants to continue her life as she's used to it.

Virtuosity is a beautiful debut by Jessica Martinez. It's an addictive read, that keeps the reader guessing and debating what really is best for Carmen. Three story revolves around three main plots: Carmen's relationship with her manager mother; Carmen's budding romance with her competition, Jeremy; and Carmen's reliance on anti-anxiety medicine. Each story weaves together and meets face to face at the end, with a startling revelation.


I found Carmen to be a likeable main character, with this naivety that's honest and not forced. For a girl used to homeschooling, of course she's swept away with Jeremy's advances. Who wouldn't be? He's handsome, challenging, and fun. Martinez does a great job at making him mysterious - should you root for them to be together, or is he really just using her? Despite his well-written character, however, I never quite loved him. I couldn't cheer on their relationship, because I did think something was up.

The mother-daughter aspect was very interesting, going off the whole stage mom idea. I liked how it was written, and really felt for both parties involved. I especially liked the sub-story about Carmen's reliance on drugs. I actually wanted more of that, to see more of her reaction to going off the medication. Did she have more side effects than just nerves?

Overall, it was a very well-done novel, with a beautiful ending. Martinez made the musical aspect accessible and fascinating. I'm excited to see what she has in store next.

Also, I love the cover. 

It's Alive!

It's always been my dream to write a book, ever since I was young and watched Little Women. I thought I could be like Jo March and write about my family. Unfortunately, my family wasn't that interesting, so I wrote about imaginary people and places. My stories were never very good.

Come college, I dreamed of writing a novel - one people would love and pass on to their friends. I started many and finished none. This dream continued until, well, today. I have so many started drafts and nothing finished.

That is, until now. Thanks to NaNoWriMo...I've finally finished my book! It's done! I love it! Sure, it's a rough first draft, but it was written in only 27 days. There are sure to be many mistakes. The point is, I've finally finished something, and I've never been prouder.

What now you ask? I don't know! I'm going to get a few friends to help me edit it. Writers are terrible at editing their own work, so I need outside help. After that, we'll see. But I'm not planning that far ahead. I'm just happy for today.

And who knows - maybe one day a book blog will be reviewing my book?

Book Review: Every You, Every Me

Every You, Every Me
By David Levithan
Knopf
Publication date: September 13, 2011
ISBN: 978-0375860980

"Concept novels" are huge right now. Mark Danielewski comes to mind first, then Jonathan Safran Foer. Both experimented in different ways, adding color to text, crossing out words, scrambling words together, turning text upside down. Then there are the photographic books, telling a full story through snippets of newspaper scans, drawings, photographs, or actual items. The idea has had its time in adult fiction, so it's only natural that it spread into young adult novels. In David Levithan's newest book, he uses text to tell the story, and photos to illustrate what the main character is seeing. It's an interesting concept, one that definitely brings the reader into a story where photographs are extremely important. He also employs crossed out text to show what the main character is thinking, despite not wanting to think it.

Evan's best friend Ariel is gone. He blames himself, even though he thought what he did was right. Since her departure, he's been suffering from insomnia, as well as overwhelming angst and depression. And then he finds a photograph in the woods. The photo is of the place that he's standing. The next day, he finds a photo in the same place. This time, the photo is of him. As the novel progresses, Evan is taunted by more and more photographs, some showing Ariel, some of him, and some of moments he didn't know others knew about. As the psychological novel progresses, he becomes paranoid, unraveled and obsessed with his stalker. His thoughts become muddled between the present and his past with Ariel, to the point that, despite her being gone, he wonders if it's Ariel playing a big trick on him.

Initially, I was intrigued with how the book was put together. Levithan based the initial idea around a photo photographer Jonathan Farmer took. He then started writing. Farmer would send him a photo, unaware of what Levithan wrote. Levithan then continued his story, using that photograph as what the "stalker" left for Evan. The fact that neither were communicating, and that art was influencing, well, art, was fascinating. I thought this process really made the book unique.

And unique it was. Told in first person (often addressing Ariel in the "you" tense), you go through every thought, every emotion Evan is going through. His voice is solid, perfectly written, and beautifully embracing the slow progression of paranoia. The crossed out text adds to the craziness, blurring the lines of what's happening in real life, and what's in his head. He's angsty, crazed, and trying to understand life without Ariel.

While a major character, Ariel (who's more manic than manic pixie dreamgirl) is mostly shown through flashbacks, snippets of thoughts Evan experiences while trying to put the puzzle pieces together. This was smart, as it further explores the major theme of the book: there's never a single version of a person. That is, every character saw a different version of Ariel. (Thus the title, based off the Placebo song of the same title.) As Evan starts to realize this, he wonders if he really knew his best friend at all.

The "concept" aspect worked extremely well in this novel, and I'm excited to see it employed. My main complaint, however, is that despite understanding his pain, I never really loved Evan. He had a strong voice, but I couldn't quite get into him. I wanted something to make me like him, rather than feel sorry for him. Same with Ariel, for that matter. She was interesting, but I didn't love her. (She reminded me very much of the love interest in Levithan's other novel, The Lover's Dictionary.)

It's an intense book, that's for sure, lacking in cheeriness and happiness. But for a young adult psychological thriller, it's very well done. I read it through in one morning, and definitely enjoyed it. Levithan's style shines through, and I can see him continuing to experiment long after this.

NaNoWriMo

Hi everyone! If you're wondering why there hasn't been a review this week, it's because I've been writing! I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, and have spent a good majority of my time outside of work trying to conquer the 50,000 words. I've still been reading, though, so expect a new review very shortly. In the meantime, here's my progress!