Waiting on Wednesday...books I can't wait to read hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
Oh this one is one that I am DYING to read... maybe some good contacts can hook me up with this delicious one!!
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.
It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.
Why am I so excited about this one?
First off... the cover simply draws me in.... makes me want to know more about the girl on the cover and everyone knows that we are (by nature) all visual creatures to an extent!!
Secondly.... it has been getting some great buzz in the blogosphere!
Thirdly... the plot and setting are tremendously intriguing... living not too far from Savannah, I love that I will be able to put myself in Luce's shoes fairly easily!!
Last but not least... fallen angels and forbidden love... what's not to love there?!
Author Jonathan Friesen, a fellow teacher, used his experience with Tourette’s Syndrome to write this amazing novel.
Jerk, California is a novel about high school senior Sam Carrier. Sam has been an outcast his whole life with no help from his cruel stepfather and passive mother.Sam suffers from Tourettes Syndrome yet never mutters the word to others, allowing them to continue to go misguided about his sudden outburst and oddities that have plagued him for many years. His only release from this prison is the constant movement of his legs and body while running.His father died when he was young and his stepfather is the only male influence he has.He fills Sam’s head with lies and creates an environment that traps Sam in more ways than his disease ever could.When Sam meets Naomi things begin to change.It is when he gets to know George the Coot, however, when his life really begins to change.George has always been a mystery to everyone in town but when he shows up in Sam’s life and continuously calls Sam by the name his father gave him (Jack), Sam begins to realize that there is a lot about his father that he has no clue about.
After his graduation, Sam begins to find out everything he never knew about his life through George.He finds a new friend, a mentor, a new place to live and a new identity through George.As he learns more and more about his life through George and George’s odd ways of getting his points across, Sam realizes that he has to separate the lies that he has been told since he was a child from the truth that is buried deep inside him.He and Naomi set out on a trip that George has sent them on with a mysterious map that takes them across the nation and is the route that Sam uses to find out who he is.They follow the trail of windmills, small towns, and unforgettable characters that eventually lead them to the town of Jerk, California where Sam finds his long, lost family member whom he didn’t know existed.
I can’t begin to describe the sense of gratitude I have when it comes to this book. That may be a strange reaction to some, but this book brought to light so many things for me.The book being written by a person who suffers from TS about someone who suffers with the disease makes it very real. Freisen has lived it and you can tell that in his writing of Sam/Jack.The dialogue that occurs is unlike other novels in that there is a great amount of inner dialogue and it can be confusing at times.Sam has certain ticks that come along with the TS and the dialogue deals with what he is thinking, telling himself, and saying to others but is easily understood within the first chapter.The characters are all so very well written.They were relatable, real, honest and had me believing in them throughout the novel.The plot was also beautifully written and had twists, turns, and unexpected things that kept my interest throughout the novel.I literally couldn’t put it down!! Sam/Jack is a remarkable character that shows what it is like to live in an inner barricade that so many people have no clue about and how to overcome those walls surrounding him.
I truly believe that this book should be required reading for high school students because it does open up a door for discussion and realization.At the back of the book is a reading guide and one of the questions asked to Freisen was:
“Are there any common misconceptions about Tourette’s syndrome that you wish to correct?”
His answer…
“Yes. Many people’s concept of Tourette’s syndrome includes people blurting out curse words.Stressing that dramatic aspect makes good TV ratings and humorous movie clips.For a tiny fraction of those with TS, this does occur.But the majority do not swear involuntarily.The other thing I’d like to mention is that I’ve never met a person with TS who is not profoundly creative or gifted in some way. We’re good people to have around!”
I love his answer.We do have the misconception that people with TS randomly curse and we need to overcome that stereotype! I am so glad this book caught my attention on the shelves of Books A Million!! Go read it… NOW!!
My great new author friend Jessica Verday's debut novel, The Hollow, hits bookstores today!! If you missed my review for it, click here and you will see the greatness that is The Hollow! Can't wait to hear what you all have to say about her wonderful novel! Now I can't wait for the other two to come!! Congrats Jessica!!
Thanks to The Story Siren I have this great post that is going to come your way every Sunday. I am a little late this week since we went on a mini-vacation. In My Mailbox will feature books that I have acquired throughout the week and other cool things I think are worth mentioning! If you would like your book to appear In My Mailbox, click the "how to promote" link at the top of my blog!! On to the goods....
I am a middle school Reading teacher and coach, an avid reader and book lover, a mom to Kylie and Jaxon, wife to Chris, and am dedicated to getting the good books in the hands of others!
with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.
