Deidra Reviews The Theory of Everything

Author: Kari Luna
Publisher: Philomel
Release Date: 11 July 2013
Source: NetGalley
Pages: 320

Summary:  Sophie Sophia is obsessed with music from the late eighties. She also has an eccentric physicist father who sometimes vanishes for days and sees things other people don’t see. But when he disappears for good and Sophie’s mom moves them from Brooklyn, New York, to Havencrest, Illinois, for a fresh start, things take a turn for the weird. Sophie starts seeing things, like marching band pandas, just like her dad. 

Guided by Walt, her shaman panda, and her new (human) friend named Finny, Sophie is determined to find her father and figure out her visions, once and for all. So she travels back to where it began—New York City and NYU’s physics department. As she discovers more about her dad’s research on M-theory and her father himself, Sophie opens her eyes to the world’s infinite possibilities—and her heart to love.

My Favorite Lines:

"'I'm the guy who picks up the pieces, keeps you going and inspires you.  Because you inspire me," Finny said, grabbing my hand.  "Look, I'm not worried about you liking anyone more than me because we're friends.  Best friends.  And you will always like me as much as you like yourself.'  Friendship summed up in a monologue."

Why I Loved It:  I'm not quite sure I've ever read anything quite like The Theory of Everything.  I was going through my summer galleys that I had not gotten to due to my summer of crazy gypsying, and this one jumped out at me.  I mean for one the combo of pink and a huge panda on the cover just screams read me please.  This is one of those books I MUST PUT ON THE SHELVES!

In this book, I met a girl named Sophie Sophia who has just moved to yet another town.  This new girl to town has a secret though.  A pretty big one actually.  She sees things that no one else sees.  Like pandas in marching bands and cafeterias turning into one big music video and the sky raining baby bears.  Yep.  It's crazy, but it also makes this book incredibly fun and quirky.  This book accomplishes the whole "this could never happen but let's have fun with it, shall we?" philosophy quite well.

Sophie's dad was a famous physicist, and he also saw things that weren't there.  Sophie, with the help of her super awesome best friend and physics nerd Finny, is trying to figure out what in the world is going on with her, how to fix it, and how to reconnect with her dad.  Of course such a mission does land her in New York City (of course), and it seems like this adventure is going to twist and turn the whole way.  The book has some interesting quirk around every corner that makes reading the book a super fun ride.

The book also has some amazing things like a focus on mixtapes, 80's music mixed with some new, awesome fashion, and the physics in the book takes on a artsy kind of feel that only comes from exploring what it means to love.  The Theory of Everything has everything my heart desires from parallel universes, appeasement for my inner nerd, and some amazing music selections.  While the book doesn't claim mental illness, it tackles that topic along with other more difficult ones with tact and with powerfully positive messages presented.

High Points:

• Finny was the perfect best friend.
• The romance in the story was totally not a main part of the storyline, and it was full of a sweetness that is not always found in YA novels.
• It had a hipster vibe that I was loving.

Who Should Read It:  If you are a fan of the following things you should pick this story up:

• Dr. Who
• Sheldon Cooper
• Physics/String Theory/Inner Nerd
• Retro characters
• Scott Pilgrim

Need a Second Opinion?
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Review: Out of the Easy

Author: Ruta Sepetys
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Philomel Books
Pages: 346
Source: NetGalley
[add on Goodreads]

Summary:  It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

My Favorite Lines:

“I leapt eagerly into books. The characters’ lives were so much more interesting than the lonely heartbeat of my own.” 

“One day when I was fourteen, I told Charlie that I hated Mother. “Don’t hate her, Jo,” he told me. “Feel sorry for her. She’s not near as smart as you. She wasn’t born with your compass, so she wanders around, bumping into all sorts of walls. That’s sad.” I understood what he meant, and it made me see Mother differently. But wasn’t there some sort of rule that said parents had to be smarter than their kids? It didn’t seem fair.” 

“Tragedy was a big social event, and everyone wanted in on it.” 

Why I Loved It:  Out of the Easy was nothing like Between Shades of Gray.  But it was incredible nonetheless.  I have never read a book with so many scenes in a brothel that I enjoyed so much.  The book had ounces and ounces of character spiced between the pages, and I adored Jo.  Adored her.  No one quite writes historical fiction like Ruta Sepetys.

It has been a while since I have read a book set in New Orleans.  I don't know much about the area, so I can't vouch for accuracy.  However, as I read, the setting came to life.  I kept waking from my book daydreams thinking I was in 1950 Louisiana.  I even dreamed about the story one night after reading before bed.  There were so many characters involved in some dirty business that I came to have a lot of respect for.  *Remember they are fictional characters Deidra*  The feel of the book was very much the delightful feeling I get from watching 50's gangster movies.  I don't know why.  Maybe it's how connected everyone in the book is with all the information men on the street watching everyone's every move.

Josie's *Jo* situation was sad, at times heartbreaking, but it wasn't the emotional wrenching experience of her previous book.  Throughout the book, I experienced pleasure with Jo during the huge ups and downs that was her life.  I wanted, more than anything, for her to succeed.  She won my heart and my detest for Louise.  She does not even deserve to be connected to Jo with the title of mother.

One of the biggest strengths of the book was how well developed the minor characters were.  They didn't subtract or take away from Josie.  Rather they were stories spun together to form the person that IS Josie.  *Such is what makes great historical fiction*  Cokie, a cab driver, was one of my favorites.  He was the ray of light in the darkness of the Quarter.  Ms. Sepetys has the ability to create the most despicable characters that you hate, and to take other characters doing despicable things and make you love them dearly.

Who Should Read It:  I recommend this to anyone who enjoys some seriously good historical fiction.  Its a book close to my heart, and I welcome you to bring it into yours.

       

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jilly at Breaking The Spine.   It features each blogger's most anticipated books.  This week, my pick is How (Not) To Find a Boyfriend by Allyson Valentine. 

Summary:  Sophomore Nora Fulbright is the most talented and popular new cheerleader on the Riverbend High cheer squad. Never mind that she used to be queen of the nerds—a chess prodigy who answered every question first, aced every test and repelled friends at every turn—because this year, Nora is determined to fully transition from social pupa to full blown butterfly, even if it means dumbing down her entire schedule. But when funny, sweet and very cute Adam moves to town and steals Nora’s heart with his untra-smarts and illegally cute dimple, Nora has a problem. How can she prove to him that she’s not a complete airhead? 

Nora devises a seemingly simple plan to barter her way into Adam’s classes that involves her classmates, friends—and her older brother Phil’s award-winning AP history paper. But soon, Nora can barely keep track of her trades, and struggles to stay in control of her image.

In the end, the only thing that can save Nora is a chess tournament—that she has to compete in wearing her cheerleading uniform. Can she prove to everyone that she can be both a butterfly and a nerd?

Allyson Valentine has created a story so full of enamoring characters, pitch-perfect humor, and delightfully frustrating romance that it will leave you cheering.  Great for fans of Stephanie Perkins's< Anna and the French Kiss, Susanne Colosanti and Sarah Dessen.

There are some great authors mentioned in this summary.  Which leaves me feeling this nervous anticipation.  I will read the book.  I have to.  The summary sounds incredibly adorable and perfectly like the type of book I would drool over.  Nerds getting the super cute boy?  Yes please.  And I always have loved main boy crushes with the name Adam.  There is just something about that name...

Expected Publication:  June 13, 2013 by Philomel

Review: Between Shades of Gray

Author: Ruta Sepetys
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Philomel Books
Pages: 344
Source: Borrowed
[add on Goodreads]

Summary:  Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously--and at great risk--documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives.Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart.

My Favorite Lines:

“Sometimes there is such beauty in awkwardness. There's love and emotion trying to express itself, but at the time, it just ends up being awkward.” 

“I looked down at the little pink face in the bundle. A newborn. The child had been alive only minutes but was already considered a criminal by the Soviets.” 

“Sometimes kindness can be delivered in a clumsy way. But it's far more sincere in its clumsiness than those distinguished men you read about in books. Your father was very clumsy.” 

Why I Loved It:  This book was pretty awesome.  It really was.  And the author?  Yea she is pretty incredible.  You can just feel the passion she has for this issue as you read the book.  Listening to her talk about the book made me need to read the book.  And once you read it, you find the writing is stunning.  And the story is beautiful and enough to move you to tears.

I have read many books dealing with the Holocaust and World War II.  They all revolved around Germany's conquests and the suffering of the Jews.  I had never quite heard about the Lithuanians that suffered under such cruel conditions.  I seriously hate that this is not a story more shared with students.  It was an atrocity that was overshadowed by the darkness of Hitler.

In this story, Lina is this bright and artistic girl.  She has been raised to think for herself, which has become very dangerous in the society around her.  One night her father did not come home, and the NKVD came in and took Lina, her mother, and her little brother away.  Thousands of others were taken from their home, put on trains, and sold off as laborers.  They lived under horrible conditions.  Lina and her family, with a lot of work, managed to stay together as they traveled from Lithuania.  As innocent people, they are treated as criminals, moved from place to place with no clear explanation.

The story follows Lina throughout the terrors that surround her as her circumstances affect her and her art.  Thankfully, in the midst of the horrors, Ms. Sepeptys managed to give her readers glimpses of hope throughout the frozen terrain.  It is a truly fantastic example of fine storytelling.

Finally, I must mention the research.  She went to Lithuania twice.  She talked to survivors.  And she went through a simulation of the prison Lithuanians would have went through.  It was an incredibly intense process.  It is incredibly commendable.

Who Should Read It:  I think this a story that everyone should read.  It is some fabulous historical fiction.

This is a video where the author talks about the book.  If you aren't already convinced to read it...

            

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jilly at Breaking The Spine.   It features each blogger's most anticipated books.  This week, my pick is Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys. 

Summary:  It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.
With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

I loved Between Shades of Gray.  LOVED IT!  Even though it was written for more middle grade, I thought it was one of the best books written for kids/teens about a true human atrocity.  And the summary for this book sounds even more interesting to me.  I know that her research process for her first book was INTENSE.  The way she so crazily depicted the world of her last book is such a real way has made sure that I read anything she writes.  I have sadly written a preview of my review, which is to come later in the week, for her first book. 

Anyways, books about New Orleans always draw me, Ruta Sepetys draws me, and the cover looks gorgeous.  I just know it will be historical fiction I will love!!   

Expected Publication:  February 12, 2013 by Philomel Books