Why I Love Don't Touch

While I love a lot of the big YA titles, there are also some #quietYA picks I love with all my heart. Don't Touch is one of those.

Not enough people talk about this book, so that's what I'm here to do today.

1. The friend group
Their personalities really come to life, and I appreciate that they weren't terribly catty. Sure, there was conflict, but it wasn't the same old drama.

2. Caddie's anxiety
In my opinion, it is well-portrayed (although I do not have OCD, so I cannot say for sure). But Rachel M. Wilson wrote it well, showing us how Caddie feels and why she feels that way.

3. Peter and his gentleness
The love interest is great. He's not your typical YA love interest; he's gentle, smart, and kind and genuinely wants to be Caddie's friend.

4. SO MUCH HAMLET
A big chunk of Don't Touch revolves around the production of Hamlet and Caddie's parallels with Ophelia, which I really appreciated as a Shakespeare geek. (Especially because Hamlet is my favorite.) Caddie even references the Kenneth Branagh adaptation, and there are quotes throughout the book.


So get on it. Buy Don't Touch or request it at your library. Read it and love the quietness.


Goodreads  Read Between the Lynes  Barnes & Noble

From the Bookshelf to the Kitchen: Lara Jean's Brownies

I'm so happy to complete my series of FtBttK posts focusing on Lara Jean Covey's recipes. This one comes from the Target edition of Always and Forever, Lara Jean, and it's actually Katharine Hepburn's recipe originally for...brownies!

Books with characters who bake are almost always some of my favorites, so Lara Jean will always have a special place in my heart. 

Goodreads  Read Between the Lynes  Barnes & Noble

Lara Jean's Brownies

1/2 cup cocoa powder (make sure it's not dark chocolate)

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs (use 3 eggs for cakier brownies)

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan with the cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. 

3. Whisk in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt (plus nuts, if you so choose). Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir just until combined.

5. Pour into a greased 8 x 8 pan. Bake 30-35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.

I forgot to take a picture of the book with the brownies, oops! The mixture was super thick and dark, so I'll definitely try a third egg next time and also a sweeter cocoa powder. Bon appetit!

Have a book/recipe suggestion for From the Bookshelf to the Kitchen? Leave it in the comments below!

Review: The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
Grade: B+
Summary: Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The Distance Between Us was the first Kasie West book I ever read, way back in 2013, and I didn't appreciate it as much as I did a few months later or even now. It's not my favorite Kasie West book, but it is one of her more solid offerings.
The Distance Between Us characterizes Caymen, Xander, and Caymen's mom well. The supporting characters are a little weak, though, and I would've liked more time with Caymen's grandparents. I enjoyed the career plot, and that Caymen and Skye had jobs. I feel like, too often, YA protagonists don't have jobs, and most real teenagers earn money one way or another (even it's just babysitting or yard work). I also thought Caymen's sarcasm was done nicely, and I appreciated that she wasn't always portrayed as the ordinary girl who bumbled her way through the upper class world. I liked that Xander's family did defy Caymen's expectations at times, although I really wish his grandmother had been in the story even more.
Language and romance are super clean. There's underage drinking, but Caymen doesn't participate.

The Verdict: A solid choice if you like contemporary romance.

Buy: Read Between the Lynes  Barnes & Noble

Will I be adding this to my library?: Already have.

Random Friday: Hogwarts Houses

Want to participate in Random Fridays? Just do the following: 

• Include the above image in your post and link back to my post.
• Blog about this week's topic.
• Add the link to your Random Friday at the bottom of this post.

Knowing someone's Hogwarts house can tell you a lot about them. 

I'm a Slytherpuff - two-thirds Slytherin, one-third Hufflepuff (confirmed by taking the Sorting Hat quiz three times). I have ambitions. I am extremely loyal to those I choose and would kill for my friends (or maybe not since murder isn't moral or legal). I'm hard-working and a perfectionist. Slytherpuffs are passionate, and we'll argue until our last breath...but only if we're drawn into a conflict; we tend to avoid it otherwise.

I'm glad Hufflepuffs are finally getting the spotlight via Newt Scamander (who is such a cinnamon roll), but why do Slytherins only get the evil wizards? Why does no one talk about Andromeda Tonks, who was Slytherin but turned out to be good and kind and even married a Muggle? Why does no one talk about Regulus Black, who betrayed Voldemort because it was right, not because of his obsessive love for a girl who wanted nothing to do with him?

I quite love the Slytherin colors, and I'm constantly trying to add emerald green to my wardrobe now. (Besides my Slytherin sweater and lounge pants from Hot Topic.) And I'm telling you, with her ambition and drive and loyalty, Taylor Swift would definitely be a Slytherin.





So what's your Hogwarts House? What's your favorite part about it?

So You Like... #56

I'm sure there are tons of posts like the one you're about to read, but I thought it was time I threw my two cents in on what books you should read if you like...

HARRY POTTER.

(as always, book covers link to the Goodreads poage)

What books would you give to fans of Harry Potter?

Any So You Like... themes you want me to do next?

Top Ten Tuesday: Hidden Gem YA Contemporary Books

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Ugh, it was hard choosing just one genre, and I really wanted to do historical fiction, but honestly, I'd have to list so many books because historical fiction is such an underrated genre.

1. Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

2. Anything Could Happen by Will Walton

3. Like No Other by Una LaMarche

4. The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson

5. Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson

6. 17 First Kisses by Rachel Allen

7. The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

8. The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash

9. Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee

10. Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae

Bonus pick: Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler

What are your favorite hidden gem contemporary books? Or what genre did you choose for your post today?

Rewind & Review #92

Created by Shae Has Left the Room.

~The first week of classes was not fun. It was good to catch up with people, but wow, this semester is going to be a lot of work.
~I can't do the practicum I wanted to do. Instead I'm stuck with something I'm concerned won't actually benefit me in the long run.
~WE'RE FINALLY GETTING A NEW TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM. Y'ALL CAN'T FATHOM HOW EXCITED I AM.
~Had my first official archery classes. The first one was discouraging, but the second one went much better even though I didn't ever hit within the actual target, haha.

Books I Received for Review

The Reporter's Kitchen by Jane Kramer (from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley)
Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle George (from HarperCollins via Edelweiss)
A Dangerous Year by Kes Trester (from Curiosity Quills Press via NetGalley)
Meet Cute by various authors (from HMH via NetGalley)

Books I Won/Traded for/was Gifted

Neighborhood Girls by Jessie Ann Foley (via trade)
You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins (via trade)

Books I Read

Murder, Magic, and What We Wore by Kelly Jones 
Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
Maybe in Paris by Rebecca Christiansen (1 star)
Tash Hearts Tolstoy (reread)
If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak (3 stars)
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia (reread)
Invictus by Ryan Graudin
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (reread)
Someone Else's Summer by Rachel Bateman (4 stars)
The Ends of the World by Maggie Hall (3 stars)

Blog Posts You Might've Missed in the Last Few Weeks

   (from 8/14-8/19)

• Review: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski (5 stars)
• Top Ten Tuesday: Recommendations for People Who Like Book Hangovers
• Final Eighteen 2018 Reads
• Random Friday: Books That Start at the Beginning of a School Year

   (from 8/20-8/26)

• Professor Emma Teaches Cooking Through YA Novels
• Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Include in My Classroom Library
• Why I Love Heist Society
• Review: Welcome Home by various authors (3 stars)
• Professor Emma Teaches YA Heroines in History...Again

Professor Emma Teaches YA Heroines in History...Again

The second class I'm teaching this semester is one of my favorites. This should come as no surprise, because every so often, I mention how much I love historical fiction, particularly when the protagonist is a girl.

The recommended reading list has grown quite a bit since last time I taught the class (spring 2016), and I changed up the required reading list a teeny bit, but let's get started, shall we?

Required Reading:

• Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan
• Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee
• Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendson
• A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
• Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
• A Tyranny of Petticoats by various authors

Recommended Reading:

~Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

~Deception's Princess by Esther M. Friesner

~Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson

~Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

~Cinder & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

~Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

~Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse

~The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

~Wait for Me by Caroline Leech

~These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

~I'm Glad I Did by Cynthia Weil

~The Notorious Pagan Jones by Nina Berry

~Velvet Undercover by Teri Brown

~Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

~The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters

~Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

~Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

~The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller

~Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman

~Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

So go forth and read, my students, about the fictional women who made history in these books...and then go study up on the real women who have shaped history.

Review: Welcome Home

Welcome Home by various authors
Grade: C+
Release date: September 5, 2017
An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: Welcome Home collects a number of adoption-themed fictional short stories, and brings them together in one anthology from a diverse range of celebrated Young Adult authors. The all-star roster includes Edgar-award winner Mindy McGinnis, New York Times bestselling authors C.J. Redwine (The Shadow Queen) and William Ritter (Jackaby), and acclaimed YA authors across all genres, like Adi Alsaid, Lauren Gibaldi, Sangu Mandanna, Karen Akins, and many more.

An Overview: This boom of YA anthologies has been so much fun, because there's such a variety of themes. However, I'm finding that most of the stories are too short and/or feel too incomplete. As a writer, I know short stories can be short and feel complete, so it's not necessarily the nature of the short story length. Because Welcome Home featured so many stories, I'm going to highlight a few standouts (both on the high and low ends of the rating spectrum as well as some in the middle).

"These Broken Stars" by C.J. Redwine - 5 stars

I liked how the author went a fantasy route (most of the stories were contemporary), and I liked how the adoptive family wasn't what Bellana expected. The ending was open while still feeling conclusive, and I could imagine a happily ever after.

"Twenty-Seven Days" by Jenny Kaczorowski - 4.5 stars

I loved Aprillia's inner narration, and I liked the focus on friendship as well as a kind foster family.

"Life: Starring Tallulah Grey" by Lauren Gibaldi - 4.5 stars

I really liked this one. (Obviously.) Tallulah's personality came through well, and I liked what I saw of Oliver.

"Up by A Million" by Caela Carter - 5 stars

Sweet without being sappy. The card game was a good plot device to move the story along, and I thought the dialogue was done well.

"Ink Drips Black" by Julie Leung - 4 stars

Surprisingly short, but good. I liked the blending of fantasy with reality.

"Invited" by Lauren Morrill - 4 stars

It was really cute and sweet, and I'm glad it went a different direction than I thought it was at the beginning.

"A Lesson in Biology" by Sammy Nickalls - 3.5 stars

I liked this one all right. I appreciated that a grandmother was important to the narrative and how non-angsty the story was.

"Happy Beginning" by Nic Stone - 3 stars

I didn't mind the non-linear telling of the story, but the use of "I" and "you" threw me. I liked Jenna's dad and Ny's foster parents.

"Jar of Broken Wishes" by Tristina Wright - 4 stars

I loved this story, but I wish it wasn't quite so brief. I liked that the foster home felt more like than the families that adopted Daisy. I liked the jar of wishes and Farah's potential to become a friend. I definitely wanted more of Farah.

"Mama's Eyes" by Libby Cudmore - 1 star

Way too dramatic, and not the kind of story I was expecting from this anthology. I felt anxious the entire time I was reading it. There was waaaayyy too much foul language as well.

"Salvation" by Shannon Gibney - 2 stars

I didn't like the way the Christian character was portrayed. In addition, the narrative felt too choppy, and I was confused about who some of the characters were when they were brought into the story.

"Empty Lens" by Tameka Mullins - 2 stars

I didn't like the style of the story. It felt too removed, and I didn't like the way the main character phrased things in her writing. I think this could've been a great story if it was told more traditionally.

"Deeply" by William Ritter - 2 stars

The voice felt awfully young at times, and it took a weird turn.

The Verdict: Good, but not overly wowing. I think the anthology might be dragged down by just how many stories there are and how some of them weren't given enough room to blossom.

Buy: Read Between the Lynes  Barnes & Noble

Will I be adding this book to my library?: Hmm probably not.

Why I Love Heist Society

I read Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series first. I didn't think I would like her Heist Society trilogy. Boy, was I wrong.

Even now, four and a half years after reading the books for the first time, Heist Society is still one of my favorite series, and the first book is probably in my top ten all-time favorites (although that list is hard to pin down because I love a lot of books).

So why do I love this trilogy so much?

1. Katarina "Kat" Bishop

Her stubborn tendencies, her desire to play hero and do good, her feelings and the actions they cause when it comes to Hale, her intelligence...Kat is just all around fun and great.

2. Hale

This boy. HALE. He's swoonworthy and funny and caring. We still have no clue what the W.'s in his name stand for (and it's gonna drive me crazy until Ally deigns to reveal the answer), but he is so much fun and way better than 99% of the other guys in YA books.

3. The family

Most of them take some getting used to (not Simon or Kat's dad, though), and there are few women (something Kat brings up several times), but they are a barrel of fun, especially in Perfect Scoundrels.

4. Just how elaborate and well-thought out the heists are

I'm not going to spoil anything for y'all, but Kat is really good at withholding information from the readers (the third-person narration helps), and Ally has created some great heists that are complex and beat every hurdle in the way.

5. The different con names

Some of my favorites include Mary Poppins (which apparently requires rain), Princess Bride (needs a six-fingered man), Wind in the Willows, and Anne Boleyn.

6. The rereadability

I know I brought up this reason in my last Why I Love post, but it's just as valid here. Even though you know how the book will end, it's just as fun to go on the journey again, especially because I sometimes forget the little details that make the heists what they are.

So what are you waiting for? Buy and read the Heist Society trilogy and join the rest of us in praying that book four will come sooner rather than later (Ally has said it'll happen; she just has other projects at the moment).

Goodreads  Read Between the Lynes  Barnes & Noble