The Journey's End

At last, I have finished the 50 books featured in Epic Reads United States of YA map. It was definitely an interesting journey.  There were some excellent books to be found on the tour, along with some not so awesome books.  There were a few tearjerkers and a few laughs along the way, and all in all I would say that this literary trip was worth every minute.

I know not everyone has the time or patience to make it through all 50 books, so I am going to give my top 5 not to be missed books, and a few honorable mentions.

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth- It is the hands down winner for my favorite book.  Plus you know you need to read the book before the movie comes out in the spring.

2. Deadline by Chris Cutcher- Fantastic characters and story, but have your tissue handy because you are going to need it.

3. The Diviners by Libba Bray- The roaring 20s in New York city, a serial killer on the lose, and a girl that is more that what she seems makes for a great read.

4. The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen- A book that everyone can relate to on some level, because who has not had to deal with grief and loss.

5. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout- Wonderful characters and interesting story that keeps you wanting to read the rest of the series.

Honorable Mentions:

The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore- Because who doesn't like a little bit of Southern Gothic feel in their readings

Arise by Tara Hudson- Probably the only reason this didn't make the top 5 is because it the second book in the series, but I recommend go ahead and reading both.

YA Book Tour- Hawaii

At last we have come to the end of United States of YA book with Under the Blood-Red Sun by Graham Salisbury representing Hawaii.

Tomikazu, or Tomi, is the son of Japanese immigrants living in Hawaii in 1941. His father has a boat he works as a fisherman on, and his mother cleans the house of a wealthy haole (white person).  His grandfather also lives with them, and is proud of his Japanese heritage and customs.  He also has a younger sister, Kimi.

Tomi is a pretty typical young teenage boy for the time.  He and his friend love baseball. His best friend, Billy (a haole) is an amazing pitcher, and helps their team the Rats do pretty well.  Tomi's life changes drastically on the morning on December 7th.  While he and Billy are out practicing baseball they hear the explosions and soon see the Japanese planes flying overhead. His father is taken prisoner when he returns on his fishing boat, and the haole family tells his mother they no longer need to clean their home.  Tomi learns what is really means to be family, and sees the best and worst of human nature.

This books is a fantastic look at life in Hawaii just before and after the Pearl Harbor bombing.  It presents an excellent picture of how fear can motivate people to do terrible things, and how kindness can be found even in the darkest of times.

Tomi is a wonderful character.  Fiercely loyal to both his friends and family.  He shows interesting growth as he learns to take to heart the lessons of his father about how to behave, even when people push him to his breaking point.

 While Tomi is the main character, Billy will also make quite the impression on you.  He is dedicated to being the best he can be at pitching.  He is kind and loyal.  Probably my favorite scenes in the book involved him, one on Tomi's father's boat, and one where he met Mari.  Both of those were touching, and beautifully written.

I definitely recommend this book, not only for the setting, but for the history we see in everyday living form.

With that our journey is at an end.  I hope to get the final YA map up tomorrow, and give the list of my top 5, not to be missed books.  For now, I will get back to my regularly schedule reading program. Catching up on the series that I have been reading and new books have come out since starting the tour, plus finishing some of the series that I started on the tour.  Eventually, I plan to get around the Epic Reads YA of Europe tour, but for now I reading what I want.

Currently Reading:
Scarlet
by Marissa Meyer

YA Book Tour- Alaska

It has taken me a little longer to read this than I initially expected, because my first clinical rotation was quite the hard one.  I sent most of  my down time studying instead of reading, but I was able to really tackle the book this weekend.  I suppose the amount of post will depend on what rotation I have, so just keep an eye out for new stuff.  Now without further ado, we are rolling on with the YA book tour and taking our second to last stop in Alaska with Jean Craighead George's Julie of the Wolves.

Miyax, or Julie her gussak (white) name, has run away from her new husband and trying to make it to San Francisco where her pen pal lives. On her journey, she becomes lost without food, and begins to rely on a wolf pack to help her on her way. As she becomes accepted as part of the pack, Miyax finds herself becoming more self sufficient and falling back more to he old ways of her people.

For me, the book at a little bit of a strange flow.  It basically started in the middle with Miyax already left her town to runaway from her husband. It does not go back and explain the events leading up to her leaving until about third of the way into the book.  That being said, it does not make it feel too disjointed or make me feel lost for the first part of the book.  I did not, however, like that the book was not really divided into chapters, just the three parts.  That really makes it hard to find a good place for stopping.

Miyax is an interesting character.  At first, it seems like she can't wait to be in the whiteman's world, but as the book progresses she really is finds her identity and wants to preserve her heritage.  She is very smart and quickly adapts to the changes in her life.

But in all honesty, the best part of this book was the picture painted of the Alaskan tundra. The author really does a great job of describing the landscape and the animals who inhabit it. This book is worth the read just for the amazing setting.

With that there is only one book left on the United States of YA book tour.

Currently Reading: 
Under the Blood-Red Sun
by Graham Salisbury

YA Book Tour- Vermont

Finally, I was able get a copy of Vermont's book Jip: His Story by Katherine Paterson.

Jip lives at the town poor farm and has been told as long as he can remember that he was found on the road after he fell off the wagon. His life begins to change when the lunatic, Put, comes to the farm.  He starts to learn his own value, and that combined with his start at the school with the new teacher.

A stranger, also, comes to town and starts asking questions about Jip.  With Teacher and her Quaker friends help, Jip learns his real origins.

I had high expectations for this book because Katherine Paterson is the author of one of my childhood favorite books,  Bridge to Terabithia.  I am happy to report that Ms. Paterson did not disappoint with this book.  She has a masterful way of describing characters and unfolding their personality.

Jip is a caring boy, who quite the way with animals.  He works hard and in dealing with the stranger in town, you learn he is an excellent judge of character.  I loved following him through his journey, and discovering where he comes from along with him.

The book is a quick read. While it is short, the book is no way feels like it left anything out.

Currently Reading:
Julie of the Wolves
by Jean Craighead George

YA Book Tour- Arizona

Keeping on with the book tour with the next stop being Arizona and A.S. King's Everybody Sees the Ants.

Lucky Linderman's life is not an easy one.  His dad seems unsure how to be a dad since he never knew his because he never came back from the Vietnam war, classified as POW/MIA.  His mother just seems to agree with any of his dad's plans.  Plus, he has been bullied by Nader McMillian since he was seven.

He has had a particularly rough freshmen year of high school, and his dad only seems to be getting more distance. He describes his dad as a turtle because he hides in his "shell" rather than confront problems.  His mother is a squid, because she swims laps to escape problems.  Lucky, himself, escapes in his dreams to the jungles of Vietnam to rescue his grandfather.

After a particularly bad run-in with Nader, Lucky's mother packs their backs and head to her brothers house in Arizona, and leaves his dad to do something about the situation.  Here Lucky learns that he is important and that you are what you make of yourself, not what others make you feel.

The story itself can be a little disjointed at times, jumping between the present, Lucky's dreams, and Lucky's freshmen year of high school.  That being said, overall it is a good story, and relays a good message.

I find Lucky super relatable, because I was a victim of bullying in middle school.  It is hard road to travel, especially when the people around you who are suppose to stop that don't seem to be doing anything about it.  Lucky really grows as a character and by the end he is someone who is not afraid to stand up for himself.

I think is a must read for anyone who has experienced or is experiencing bullying.

Also another resource in the fight to stop bullying: http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Currently Reading:
Jip: His Story
by Katherine Paterson

YA Book Tour- Oklahoma

I know it has been a little longer than usual since my last post.  Finals and moving to Raleigh, NC kept me busy, but I am back now and carrying on with the United States of YA book tour.  Up next on the tour is Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp representing Oklahoma.

Hampton Green is a part of the the Kennisaw Knights defense and he is very good at his position.  He has a rare gift to be able to see the field and know analyze the plays in the blink of the eye.  Off the field, things aren't always as easy for him.  He is crushing on Sara, who, according to best friend Blaine, is not the type a girl a star football player should be dating.  Blaine is a hot shot running back, who has lost some of his step on the field due to a knee injury, but is still cocky as ever off the field.  Hampton's mom has been flitting from guy to guy since his dad walked out on them. As his team quest for the fifth straight perfect season, Hampton learns what kind of man he wants to be.

I am a big fan of football movies, and hard to believe that this is my first football book.  As it goes, it is this was a good start.  The book was an excellent combination of Friday Night Lights and Varsity Blues.  The book balanced perfectly the action on the field and the day to day life of Hampton.

Hampton is an incredible player, but, unlike his best friend, he does not let it go to his head.  He still loves the game and has fun playing.  He is humble and he is smarter than most people give him credit for because he is quiet and not quick with his words.  He makes the journey into quite a distinguished young man.

Blaine, Hampton's best friend, is cocky and has a giant chip on his shoulder.  He comes off as tool most of the book.  He expects complete loyalty from his friends, and becomes really upset when they question his actions.  He is lucky to have a friend like Hampton, who can see the deeper problems he is having and willing to help him out.

Sara is a great compliment to Hampton's character. She sees the person behind the player.  She is smart and helps Hampton to become a better person.

Definitely a good book both in characters and in football action.

Currently Reading:
Everybody Sees the Ants
by A.S. King

YA Book Tour- Utah

Getting super close to the end of the YA book tour, and next up is Utah with Brodi Ashton's Everneath.

The underworld is really the Everneath, and it is where the Everliving go to Feed.  The Everliving have discovered the secret to living forever and to keep themselves alive they must Feed off a Forfeit.

Nikki Beckett has just woken from the 100 years of feeding from the Everliving Cole.  Somehow she has survived intact and returns to the life she left behind.  In the world, time passes differently than the Everneath and six months have passed since Nikki left.  She returns to the world of the living to make amends for living and say good-bye properly before the Tunnels take her.  Most importantly to see Jack again, the one thing that kept her going during the Feeding.  Too bad that Cole follows her back and is constantly trying to convince her to return with him just to complicate her life more.

I thought the story was an incredible new look at some of the great stories of mythology including Hades and Persephone and Eurydice and Orpheus.  The author does an excellent job of balancing the present with Nikki's past how it lead to her decision to follow Cole.

I love the progression of Nikki from the broken girl when she returns from the Everneath to the strong young woman trying to fight fate.  Jack is a fantastic character.  He is loyal, and at times you can really feel the heartbreak he suffered when Nikki disappeared.  What girl would not want a Jack like that.  Cole, on the other hand, is very shady.  It is awful to see how he manipulated Nikki to follow him to the Everneath, and he continues try to do so once she returns.  Although, he definitely gets more than he bargains for with Nikki and her strong will and his feelings for her.

Warning, the ending is a dozy, and leaves you wanting to start the next book.  I am very excited to see where the story goes in the next book.

Currently Reading:
Knights of the Hill Country
by Time Tharp