The High Places by Fiona McFarlane

Released: 1st February 2016

Published by: Penguin Australia

Genre: Short stories

Source: Library

Pages: 288

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

The dazzling stories in this collection find those moments when people confront the strangeness and mystery of their lives.

The revelations of intimidating old friends on holiday. An accident on a dark country road. A marine biologist in conversation with the ghost of Charles Darwin. The sudden arrival of American parachutists in a Queensland country town. A lottery win. A farmer troubled by miracles in the middle of a drought . . . The people in The High Places are jolted into seeing themselves from a fresh and often disconcerting perspective.

Ranging around the world from a remote Pacific island to outback Australia to the tourist haunts of Greece, these stories are written with extraordinary invention, great emotional insight and wry humour. Each one of them is as rich and rewarding as literature can be.

This review also appears in Vertigo 2018: Genesis

Each of the thirteen stories in The High Places offer a glimpse into those who find themselves slightly off-kilter, leaning over the precipice of a new beginning. Spanning multiple geographical landscapes and time periods, McFarlane’s sharp observations bring to light the nuanced ticks and mannerisms which make individuals their own unique selves. In a style which focuses on detail threaded through the fabric of the characters’ hopes and dreams, you can’t help feeling that you are part of these people’s lives, if only for a few pages.

He felt grateful when he looked at her. He felt an expansion in his brain that he enjoyed – a feeling that finally he had found his life, or was finding it, was on the verge on finding it, although he was still a graduate student and suspected he always would be. He said to himself, This is my youth, at this moment, right now…
          - Exotic Animal Medicine

McFarlane’s clever storylines are vividly imagined and compelling, reeling you in before a disquieting truth is revealed. In 'Exotic Animal Medicine', a young couple who have just married in secret are soon faced with the startling consequences of what began as an innocent drive through a small English village. Set in Sydney, 'Art Appreciation' depicts a relationship in its fragile early stages, questioning how sincerely we accept the interests of our lovers once our lives become entwined with theirs. What makes this collection so memorable is that each protagonist is written with an acute self-awareness and honest faults. As readers, we are able to look on from above while taking the moral high ground, until forced to realise that we are just as fallible as any of these characters. I love how thought-provoking every scenario was, communicating the subtle caution that even as we endeavour to construct the perfect house of cards, it only takes the smallest disruption for domestic bliss to fall from its eagle height.

Although McFarlane writes in lush, intelligent prose, she sensitively captures the innate self-consciousness we possess around people who are inexplicably self-assured. In the story Rose Bay, Rose considers that her sister would think it ‘immodest of her to live in a place that shared her name’, while recognising that ‘her instinct to please people, without being over-eager, came from a dislike of disagreement’. A character who similarly navigates conflict in quiet acquiescence appears in one of my personal favourites, 'Mycenae'; a wry tale of two couples on holiday among the whitewashed streets and ancient ruins in Greece. In both of these examples, not only is there a vivid sense of place, but a fresh perspective provided for the women who unknowingly stand at a tipping point in their lives. For Rose, it comes in the form of anchoring her identity outside familial ties, finally content with the life she had made for herself. On the journey to Mycenae, Janet realises that the Andersons are not necessarily experiencing the apotheosis of marital paradise, even if the mirage they so carefully projected said otherwise. The precise effects of these revelations are not explicitly explored, and what some may find frustrating is that each story lacks a proper sense of an ending. However, while I was often left on the verge of a plot point left unresolved, the first line of the next story always hooked me right back in.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, McFarlane has showcased her versatility as a writer without losing sight of creating characters whose attributes are reflected in ourselves. What I took from The High Places is that our lives are full of defining moments, with countless opportunities to begin anew - if only one would look up to see them. Where this book truly shines is in its message about assessing where we stand and what we want out of life. We can crane our necks higher and strive for more, but it’s only while remaining grounded in reality that we can finally say with confidence: “I know who I am.”

ARC Review: Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
Released: 15th September 2015
Published by: Penguin Teen Australia
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 384
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
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Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin.

Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does.

Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all. With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine— Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

Thank you to Penguin Teen Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Dumplin' is a story about being confident in your own skin, doing things outside your comfort zone, and breaking down the archetypal stereotypes which can tend to reemerge in YA. With a healthy dose of Southern charm, Julie Murphy has written a contemporary which holds a complex set of characters and heartening message. Though I didn't love it as much as Side Effects May Vary, I'd still say that this book is worth a read this year for people on the lookout for a story of romance, empowerment and friendship.

Willow wants to challenge what it means to enter a beauty pageant - why shouldn't it be open to the 'misfits' or people without that 'perfect' body? It was interesting to read about the relationship between herself and her mother who was one of the quintessential 'beauty queens'. Will never quite felt accepted by her mother for who she was, however still stood as a seemingly confident young woman ready to take on the world and smash the stereotypes which tried to label her as undesirable. The friendship with her bestie Ellen was also a good plot point, showing how there can be ups and downs in even the closest of pairings, and sometimes over the most trivial things. There were other friendships explored though which Will sought out - and she really got to see how the 'outcasts' of her school weren't necessarily the same as what people had perceived them to be. Everyone has a story and their own true identity on the inside.

One thing which felt a little rocky for me was the romance - it was good in the sense of portraying a situation which isn't stereotypical, but I just couldn't ship it as much as I would have liked. Bo and Willowdean were a nice couple, however I wish there was that extra little spark which was missing. There came a point where I wanted Willow to actually allow herself to be happy and not need to seek validation and acceptance since she was such a strong character before. There was a little bit of a love triangle as well and at times the romance was a little clunky. It was just missing that extra something for me and the more satisfying ending that I was looking forward to.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Dumplin' is ultimately a story about growing up, being open to change, maturing as a person and developing a positive self-image. While it's not my favourite YA contemporary, I'm still very much looking forward to reading more from Julie Murphy in future!

Mini Reviews: Crazy Guys and Artists in Cherry Blossom Dreams

The Guy, The Girl, The Artist and His Ex by Gabrielle Williams
Released: 1st April 2015
Published by: Allen and Unwin
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 256
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Dymocks | Bookworld

A rock chick.

An artist with attitude.

A girl with a past.

A party animal.

Four lives collide when one of the world's most famous paintings is stolen. It's a mystery that has the nation talking, but while Picasso's Weeping Woman might be absent from the walls of the National Gallery, in other parts of Melbourne the controversial painting's presence is being felt by Guy, Rafi, Luke and Penny for four very different reasons. Life, love, art and one giant party intersect in this offbeat comedy about good intentions, unexpected consequences and the irresistible force of true love.

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I'm usually quite the fan of these charming YA novels with an almost eclectic mix of characters, and The Guy The Girl The Artist and His Ex definitely delivers on creativity. This is a book which takes the mystery surrounding a stolen artwork, and uses it to showcase how different people can be affected by one event in a myriad of ways. Guy, Rafi, Luke and Penny all have their own struggles to bear in their flawed selves, though ultimately develop as people throughout the story.

The only other book I can recall that deals with an art-focus and its power is I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson which I really loved. Though in the case of this book I couldn't engage with it as well in the beginning, I did find that in the end I warmed up to these kindred spirits. The comedy in throughout and lighthearted tone interspersed with an exploration of the self added an extra dimension which added some depth. Each character has their own perspectives, though when they come together it really is quite clever. So in the end, while they were somewhat stereotypical archetypes, this cleverly crafted book did for the most part win me over.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While not as moving as I'd hoped, The Guy The Girl The Artist and His Ex is a book that will make you think, and is satisfying when it all comes together. 

Me Being Me is Exactly as Insane as You Being You by Todd Hasak-Lowy

Released: 23rd April 2015

Published by: Simon and Schuster

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: Publisher

Pages: 656

My Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

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A heartfelt, humorous story of a teen boy’s impulsive road trip after the shock of his lifetime—told entirely in lists! Darren hasn't had an easy year. There was his parents’ divorce, which just so happened to come at the same time his older brother Nate left for college and his longtime best friend moved away. And of course there’s the whole not having a girlfriend thing. Then one Thursday morning Darren's dad shows up at his house at 6 a.m. with a glazed chocolate doughnut and a revelation that turns Darren’s world inside out. In full freakout mode, Darren, in a totally un-Darren move, ditches school to go visit Nate. Barely twenty-four hours at Nate’s school makes everything much better or much worse—Darren has no idea. It might somehow be both. All he knows for sure is that in addition to trying to figure out why none of his family members are who they used to be, he’s now obsessed with a strangely amazing girl who showed up out of nowhere but then totally disappeared.

Told entirely in lists, Todd Hasak-Lowy's debut YA novel perfectly captures why having anything to do with anyone, including yourself, is: 1. painful 2. unavoidable 3. ridiculously complicated 4. possibly, hopefully the right thing after all.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This year seems to have heralded the age of YA with unique formatting coming through - telling stories in ways which pushes the envelope and is unconventional. Me Being Me (as the book will be referred to in this review since the whole title is a mouthful) is told entirely in lists and provides insight into the life of Darren - a fifteen year old teenage boy dealing with the bumps in the road which life offers. His teenage drama is outlined within the 600+ pages of this book, though there are some more serious issues of acceptance and finding your way which come through as well.

I can't say I've ever read anything told like this before, and it was refreshing at the start to have a novel told so uniquely. Lists are something which don't mess about and tell it like it is, getting to the point. Or so you would think. Okay, so most of the book has lists which yes, give insight into how Darren is feeling when the big 'bombshell' is dropped and his world is seemingly falling apart. However, there did come a point where I did long for an opportunity to really delve into his character further and find him more likable. 

His general attitude and passive-agressiveness, and tendency to just have an instant attraction to one girl before falling for another was a bit of a turn off, and there were some explanations lacking as to some of the secondary characters and his choices which I wanted. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is a YA contemporary told unlike many others which was a big plus, and the concise writing style makes for a relatively quick read when you take out some of the boring bits in the middle. 

Cherry Blossom Dreams by Gwyneth Rees
Released: 4th June 2015
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: MG Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 272
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Sometimes, something happens in your life that changes everything. When Sasha was six, her dad died suddenly and the world changed forever. Now she's twelve, it feels like things are changing all the time: her twin brother hardly talks to her any more, her mum's dating a teacher from school, her best friend Lily keeps going on about boys ... and Sasha doesn't feel ready for any of it. Why can't things just stay the same?

The one place she can escape is Blossom House, her secret place – an old, echoey, overgrown, beautiful, empty mansion, where the only thing that changes is the weather and the flowers in the garden. There's just one problem: it isn't hers. And even a house can have secrets ...

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Cherry Blossom Dreams is a light and fun read, which middle graders should enjoy. This is a book that for older readers, is easy to skim read - though there are still some lessons which everyone can take out. Sasha is dealing with the tween issues of family situation changes, friendships shifting and of course, crushes coming into the picture. Told from the perspective of a twelve year old girl, be prepared for things that may seem melodramatic, but in the end there is a good message at heart. 

If you've read books like Flirty Dancing by Jenny McLachlan, you'll get to see how the style is quite similar - light, simple prose with a few big events, and denouement where supposedly everything works out. In this case, the plot was admittedly predictable, but even so - the fact that there were some moral lessons did save it for me. This is about the mushy, 'cheesy stuff' like mending friendships, finding your own identity, accepting change and adapting to new situations with an open mind. Sasha was for the most part a character who thought things through and saw things with her own eyes - not just those of the people around her. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Cherry Blossom Dreams is a delightful story of one girl's coming of age as she straddles the line between childhood and the whole new experience of being a teenager. While I'm not the target audience, I can see the appeal to those who are - and I think there are many younger readers out there who will relate to and enjoy this. 

Mini Reviews: A Soulprint for the Haunting where There Will Be Lies and Miracles

As you can probably tell from the title, this post is going to include my condensed thoughts on a range of books (with titles that can make some pretty interesting sentences). 

Soulprint by Megan Miranda
Released: 12th February 2015
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Pages: 368
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Alina Chase has spent her entire life in confinement. With the science of soul-printing now a reality, she is 'protected' for her own safety - and the safety of others - because her soul has done terrible things ...or so she's told. When Alina finally breaks out of prison, helped by a group of people with unclear motives, she begins to uncover clues left by her past life that only she can decipher. And she may not be as innocent as she once believed.

Can Alina change her future, or is she fated to repeat her past and face the consequences?

Thank you to  Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Soulprint for me is a book that had a great premise and overarching concept, but I just couldn't connect with the characters or the story as much as I would have liked. The futuristic, pseudo-scientific ideas of 'stealing souls' and having the implications of that be so far-reaching for people was definitely interesting, and not something I've seen too often in YA. The only book I've read which has a similar idea is 'What's Left of Me' by Kat Zhang.

I feel her in me - the parts of her I like, the parts I struggle against, all of them - and I gather her close. 

In any case, while the beginning was hard to get into, the pace did start to pick up after that, and Alina's character underwent some development. Dealing with the soul of a criminal isn't easy, and what did add to my interest for this book was her internal struggle and conflict regarding her identity and differentiating her own character from the other soul to contend with.  

FINAL THOUGHTS

In all, this was a satisfying read with an idea that believable enough to keep you reading.

There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake
Released: 6th January 2015
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA Mystery
Source: Publisher
Pages: 464
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
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In four hours, Shelby Jane Cooper will be struck by a car. Shortly after, she and her mother will leave the hospital and set out on a winding journey toward the Grand Canyon. All Shelby knows is that they’re running from dangers only her mother understands. And the further they travel, the more Shelby questions everything about her past—and her current reality.

Forced to take advantage of the kindness of unsuspecting travelers, Shelby grapples with what’s real, what isn’t, and who she can trust . . . if anybody. Award-winning author Nick Lake proves his skills as a master storyteller in this heart-pounding new novel. This emotionally charged thrill ride leads to a shocking ending that will have readers flipping back to the beginning.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

Well I can definitely say that There Will Be Lies is unique..albeit really strange. As a thriller it definitely keeps you guessing, and with an unreliable narrator even us readers call into question. With an unconventional writing style and structure, strong narrative voice and a twists coming from every direction - I did end up enjoying this book despite its intrinsic weirdness.

Shelby had lived a really sheltered life with her domineering mother before being hit by a car when everything changes. We are first told this by Shelby herself, and it's interesting how the whole story is her recapping what's happened - all in her very sarcastic narrative voice. She was definitely an interesting character to read about, and while you may be taken aback by all the conversations being in italics at first, there is an explanation. What I still couldn't figure out though was what the parentheses were in different places - was it a part of a conversation she couldn't understand or is there some other explanation? Regardless, she was a complex character, and her confusion and frustration as to what the heck was going on is something that I could resonate with - because for the most part I felt the same.

There is a recurring star motif which was nice, and when there is this alternate reality shift into 'The Dreaming' it was interesting at first. However, once we had visited it a few times I did find myself just wanting to skip to what was happening in the much more thrilling real world. Who can be trusted? Can you tell a lie from the truth? Where are the boundaries of reality? This book definitely keeps your mind whirring as to all the possibilities, and at the end it does all come together in some way.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Though it took me a while to read this book, once I picked it up again I did find myself drawn into the web of lies and mystery as this unique story unfolded. If you're looking for a book that will keep you turning the pages to chase up the answers, then this is for you.

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

Released: 21st June 2012

Published by: Simon and Schuster

Genre: YA Contemporary/Apocalyptic

Source: Publisher

Pages: 384

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Luminous, haunting, unforgettable, The Age of Miracles is a stunning fiction debut by a superb new writer, a story about coming of age during extraordinary times, about people going on with their lives in an era of profound uncertainty. On a seemingly ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, 11-year-old Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, the environment is thrown into disarray.

Yet as she struggles to navigate an ever-shifting landscape, Julia is also coping with the normal disasters of everyday life--the fissures in her parents’ marriage, the loss of old friends, the hopeful anguish of first love, the bizarre behavior of her grandfather who, convinced of a government conspiracy, spends his days obsessively cataloging his possessions. As Julia adjusts to the new normal, the slowing inexorably continues.

 With spare, graceful prose and the emotional wisdom of a born storyteller, Karen Thompson Walker has created a singular narrator in Julia, a resilient and insightful young girl, and a moving portrait of family life set against the backdrop of an utterly altered world.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

I really loved The Age of Miracles the first time I read it when it was released, and now re-reading it has brought back the memories of why I did find it so fascinating and unputdownable. This is a book that takes a glimpse into the seemingly ordinary lives of people, faced with a situation that rocks the very core of their existence. The one thing that could seem so constant in our lives...that night follows day and the earth keeps spinning is something which we shouldn't have to think about - it just happens. Yet, it's so fascinating to read a story that takes what sounds so bizarre a situation and subtly explores one family in particular and how they react.

I should have known by then that it's never the disasters you see coming that finally come to pass; it's the ones you don't expect at all.

The phenomenon of 'the slowing' as it becomes known has a profound impact on eleven year old Julie especially. This coming-of-age story is unlike any other I've read. Not only did the characters all have their small nuances and have their own way of coping with this looming disaster, but Julia was very easy to connect with and likable. Sure, the pacing isn't zooming past, but the plot just flows really well and the writing is so lyrical and insightful. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Age of Miracles is one of the best coming-of-age novels I have ever read. It's a book that I've now re-read, and can see myself looking back at again in the future. I can't wait to see what Karen Thompson Walker writes next. 

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie
Released: 26th March 2015
Published by: Pan Macmillan
Genre: YA Paranormal/Horror
Source: Publisher
Pages: 301
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Book Depository

Based on the wildly popular YouTube channel, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl has been described as “ Gilmore Girls meets Paranormal Activity for the new media age.”

YA fans new and old will learn the secrets behind Sunshine—the adorkable girl living in a haunted house—a story that is much bigger, and runs much deeper, than even the most devoted viewer can imagine…

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl was more of a paranormal YA novel, than one which truly had the ability to scare, but I still really enjoyed it nonetheless. It did have all the elements of what a good creepy story should have - an old house where there are strange noises, a ghost doing the haunting, and a main character who finds it hard to make people believe what she sees.

Now, I haven't read a good ghost story in a while, and I don't watch that many horror movies - but this did seem pretty mild. I think it did read in a somewhat cinematic fashion though, however the plot developments did happen quite slowly overall. We get a glimpse at the 'typical' signs of a ghost lurking - unexplained occurrences, a cold chill coming into the room and the inhabitant of the house trying to solve why they are there. Despite these apparent cliches, I still found myself somewhat invested in Sunshine's story. The cute friendship/romance in the mix was a nice touch to take a break from the real mystery at hand. Though the twist was one I saw coming, even then I found myself flicking through the pages wanting to know how it all would end.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

Though I wouldn't say this is a book to 'read with the lights on' necessarily (unless you are very easily freaked out), this is still a decent contemporary novel with a paranormal element. It didn't scare my socks off, but perhaps if I had read it on a 'dark and stormy night' then it would have.

 

Dual Reviews NA Edition - Paradise City & What If

Paradise City by C.J. Duggan
Series: Paradise #1
Released: 28th April 2015
Published by: Hachette Australia
Genre: NA Contemporary
Source: Netgalley
Pages: 363
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
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There's bound to be trouble in Paradise . . .

 When her parents decide a change will be good for her, seventeen-year-old Lexie Atkinson never expected they'd send her all the way to Paradise City. Coming from a predictable life of home schooling on a rural Australian property, she's sure that Paradise will be amazing. But when she's thrust into a public school without a friendly face in sight, and forced to share a room with her insipid, hateful cousin Amanda, Lexie's not so sure. Hanging out with the self-proclaimed beach bums of the city, sneaking out, late night parties and parking with boys are all things Lexie's never experienced, but all that's about to change. It's new, terrifying . . . and exciting.

But when she meets Luke Ballantine, exciting doesn't even come close to describing her new life. Trouble with a capital T, Luke is impulsive, charming and answers to no one. The resident bad-boy leader of the group, he's sexier than any boy Lexie has ever known. Amidst the stolen moments of knowing looks and heated touches, Lexie can't help but wonder if Luke is going to be good for her . . . or very, very bad?

Thank you to Hachette Australia for sending me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Paradise City is the first book I've read by C.J. Duggan, and a first in my experiences reading Aussie NA fiction. While it did hold some of the stereotypical tropes of the genre, I can honestly say that it was nonetheless an addictive read. It would definitely be perfect for summer reading on the beach, and for a book which takes relationship drama, some steamy romance and witty banter along the way - I'm definitely willing to check out more of this author's work and her other series. 

Lexie was a straight-A, good girl who moved in with her cousin Amanda and her family to Paradise City, only to run into all the teen drama and of course...the boys. Coming from a country town in Red Hill, there certainly wasn't much of that - and once she meets Luke Ballantine ( right on cue as the bad boy), she certainly changes her tune.

Suddenly trying to fit in with the cool crowd became important to Lexie, as well as perhaps getting some attention from a certain someone. But despite the seeming melodrama, there was more to this story and Lexie was at times a funny character with her awkwardness at times and taboos. She also cared about her new friend and tried to make an effort to stay out of trouble...though with Ballantine that of course wasn't easy. The romance was charged with tension, and there were some twists which I didn't see coming which made the whole thing all the more interesting.

FINAL THOUGHTS

After that cliffhanger, I do want to know what will happen next in this series. C.J. Duggan is an author on my watchlist now, and not only do I want to see more from Lexie and Luke - but her other books too. It's great to see Australian authors tackling this genre and making a success of it!

What If by Rebecca Donovan
Released: 22nd January 2015
Published by: Penguin
Genre: NA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 384
My Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Book Depository

What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time? Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago. Except this girl isn't Nicole.

 She looks exactly like Cal's shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she's hiding, the less he wants to know. 

When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems.

Thank you to Penguin Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

What If is a NA novel which did have some some promise, though in this case it was  a problem of not being able to establish a genuine connection with the characters or the plot. Basically, I'm going to have to sit on the fence - while I enjoyed to an extent the mystery surrounding a possible case of mistaken identity, on the whole I can't say that this is my favourite NA novel.

In short, none of the characters are ones which I found all that likable (hence the connection issue). Cal didn't really have much substance and Nyelle was definitely a 'free spirit', but it seems a twisted one at that. I'm usually all for books which explore the complexities of these fascinating characters, but in this case they just weren't developed enough for me and the storyline took some weird turns which left me questioning why I was even persevering. There is a backstory though with the alternating past and present chapters, though in the beginning I couldn't see where their relevance fit in.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In all, What If was unfortunately a disappointment. I had been looking forward to a NA mystery with depth, but was personally left with a story that fell flat. However, though this wasn't necessarily my cup of tea, you don't know until you try right?

Genie's Weekly News (20)

Hi everyone and welcome to my weekly blog feature to recap the week with bookish news and what to expect coming up! So without further ado...

*Reading Right Now*



.Love the cover, and I'm loving the stories so far!

*Previous Posts*

• Review: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
• Top Ten Tuesday: Classics on my TBR  
• Waiting on Wednesday: Saint Anything  
• Review: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson  
• Discussion: An Open Letter to the Blogging Community  

*Bookish Events Coming Up*

Author Jessica L. Brooks, along with two other bloggers are hosting her #JLBgivesawayanINDIE monthly giveaways, with fun events to match. I'll be participating in Feburary's edition and you can too - check out Jessica's post here for more info.

*From The Interwebs*

• Cassie @ Cassie the Weird shared things books made her do
• Sydney @ Utterly Bookish shared her goals and dreams
• Jeann @ Happy Indulgence challenged stereotypes and labels in books
• Joy @ Thoughts by J asked how you get in the mood to read
• Jess @ My Reading Dress questioned the usefulness of purchase links in reviews
• Stephanie @ Chasm of Books gave 8 tips for the blogging community in 2015
• Cait @ Paper Fury talked about negative reviews
• Amanda @ Beautiful Bookish Butterflies talked habits she doesn't understand
• Ana @ Butterflies of the Imagination said that rating books is a struggle

*Haul*

Thank you to Penguin Teen Australia for the review copies!

• Unwanted by Amanda Holohan - I got this surprise in the mail from Penguin Teen Australia and I'm looking forward to seeing if it breaks from the futuristic/dystopian 'formula'.
• The Dogs by Allan Stratton - This sounds like an intense thriller - I'm looking forward to reading it. 

*Movie Reactions*




I saw this at the movies on my last day of  the holidays with some friends, and it definitely had some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. It's a light comedy with a good ending, something that among the other more 'serious' movies out there provides a nice change.

How has your week been?

The 2014 Recap & Annual Book Survey

2014 was the year that I really got into the swing of blogging after starting at Chasm of Books last year, and I went solo here at Genie In A Book. In the last 12 months I've had the wonderful opportunity of attending book events/launches, reading some fantastic new releases and meeting some fellow Aussie bookworms/bloggers. I can't wait to see what next year will bring!

This is the first year that I'm participating in the 2014 end of year book survey created by Jamie @ The Perpetual page Turner. Now that I've found out about it, I thought it'd be a great idea to go over some of the bookish highlights and share them with you!

2014 Reading Stats

Number of Books Read: 128

Number of Re-reads: 1 (The Great Gatsby)

Genre you read the most from: YA Dystopian

Best In Books

Best book you read in 2014: To Love A Sunburnt Country by Jackie French

Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn't: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill - I wanted to love it, and though it was still a satisfactory read it didn't have me as excited as I thought I would be.

Most surprising (in a good or bad way) you read in 2014: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart definitely surprised and wowed me at the same time!

Book you 'pushed' the most people to read (and they did) in 2014: I've definitely been a big advocate for Spark by Rachael Craw which I loved this year, and Jessica Shirvington's Disruption series has also been a hit with my friends once I'd suggested it.

Note: I definitely wasn't as pushy as this may suggest.

Best series you started in 2014: The Winner's Curse trilogy - I can't wait to see what Marie Rutkoski will come up with in The Winner's Crime!

Best sequel of 2014: You and Everything After by Ginger Scott - Although it can be read as a stand-alone, it's the second book in her NA 'Falling' series and it really tugged at my heartstrings.

Best series ender of 2014: In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken - I loved The Darkest Minds series from the beginning and this ended it perfectly. Shattered by Teri Terry (Slated #3) comes in at a close second.

Best book from a genre you don't typically read/was out of your comfort zone: I had been wanting to read something by Kate Forsyth but wasn't too sure whether I'd like her style, but with Bitter Greens she really blew me away.

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year: The End of Everything by Megan Abbott was creepy - but addictive.

Book you read in 2014 that you are most likely to re-read next year: Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting - it's a contemporary that I really enjoyed and wouldn't mind reading again this summer.

Favourite cover of a book you read in 2014: Easily A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Most memorable character of 2014: Maggie Stevens from Disruption/Corruption by Jessica Shirvington - she's got an attitude and sass with a side of compassion.

Most beautifully written book in 2014: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. And because I can't just choose one, Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang is up there too.

                                     

Most thought-provoking/life changing book of 2014: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath was intriguing and really made me think.

Book you can't believe you waited until 2014 to finally read: Definitely Dangerous Girls - and I'm so glad that I finally did read it! 

Favourite passage/quote you read from a book in 2014: 

Fate. As a child, that word was often my only companion. It whispered to me from dark corners during lonely nights. It was the song of the birds in spring and the call of the wind through bare branches on a cold winter afternoon. Fate. Both my anguish and my solace. My escort and my cage. 

- The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

Longest and shortest book you've read: Longest - Paradise by Simone Elkeles (594 p.) | Shortest - Hansel and Gretel by Neil Gaiman (56 p.)

Book that shocked you the most: Gone Girl - I was left utterly gobsmacked at the turn of events.

OTP of the year: Rowan and Dahlia from the Flora series by Jessica Brooks. Rowan is so chivalrous, and that's a nice thing to see with his classic charm.

Favourite non-romantic OTP of the year: Maggie and Gus from Disruption were hilarious to read about with their witty banter - and I shipped that.

Favourite book you read in 2014 from an author you've read previously: Cooper Bartholomew is Dead by Rebecca James - I 'd read Beautiful Malice and Sweet Damage last year, and this newest release from her was amazing too.

Best book you read in 2014 SOLELY on a recommendation/peer pressure: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - and that was a good choice to read.

Newest fictional crush from a book you've read in 2014: Etienne St Clair from Anna and the French Kiss certainly ain't a bad place to start.

Best 2014 debut you've read: Spark by Rachael Craw - I'm already waiting on the edge of my seat to see what  happens in the sequel Stray.

Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting you've read in 2014: Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier sure painted a picture of 1930's Surry Hills with a focus on gang warfare.

Book that put a smile on your face/was the most fun to read: The Intern/Faking It by Gabrielle Tozer - they were each equally hilarious and fantastic YA contemporary reads.

Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2014: The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss definitely got tears flowing.

Hidden gem of the year: Searching for Sky by Jillian Cantor was really unique and fascinating, as well as emotional - definitely a book I'd recommend.

Book that crushed your soul: I would say All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven...but that's a 2015 release - so I'll go with Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang.

Most unique book you read in 2014: Every Day by David Levithan really stood out to me as something totally different from anything I'd read before - with those existential themes and beautiful writing to match. 

Book that made you the most mad (doesn't necessarily mean you didn't like it): This Is How It Ends by Jen Nadol got annoying with the characters who just didn't connect with me and were irritating. So I suppose that means that I actually didn't like it all that much.

Your blogging/bookish life

New favourite blog you discovered in 2014: I have found a lot of new blogs this year which all deserve a mention - some of the ones that I've visited the most include:

Emily @ The Loony Teen Writer | Cait @ Paper Fury | Jess @ My Reading Dress | Jeann @ Happy Indulgence | Joy & Alana @ Thoughts by J | Kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer | Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity | Kelly @ Diva Booknerd | Ebony @ Daring Damsels | Cami & Ely @ A Book So Fathomless | Gina @ Behind the Pages | Kate @ Fictional Thoughts

so much for picking just one...

Favourite review that you had on your blog: I'm quite happy with my review for Dangerous Girls.

Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog: I liked exploring some of the best thrillers I'd read and how we as readers react to surprises. My open letter to authors is a post I'm quite proud of too - #authorappreciation FTW.

Best event that you participated in/bookish moments: There have been a few highlights this year bookish event wise, all which had their own merits:

• 30th January - I went to the book launch of The Intern by Gabrielle Tozer at Kinokuniya
• 26th March - My best friend and I went to Jessica Shirvington's launch of Disruption at Dymocks
• 16th June - I went to my first Penguin Teen Australia event and met some awesome bloggers there too
• 9th August - For National Bookshop Day at Kinokuniya I met the lovely Justine Larbalestier and got some books signed
• 1st September - I met Laini Taylor at the Hachette Australia YA bloggers night
• 16th October - HarperCollins had their BTCYA event where I met some more amazing YA authors and bloggers as well

Tara Eglington and I at BTCYA

• 6th November - Thanks to HarperCollins I found out about the Jackie French/Bruce Whatley event at the State Library for the release of their new book The Beach They Called Gallipoli - it was amazing to meet her in person
• Beta-reading for one of my favourite indie authors Jessica Brooks was lots of fun, and it was great to see her novels coming together in the Flora series. Having my name in the acknowledgements section of a couple of her books is pretty amazing too! 

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2014: Definitely meeting Jackie French in person (and getting all of my books by her signed). 

Most popular post this year on your blog: My discussion on ranting, rating, raving seemed to get the most comments.

Post you wished got a bit more love: None - I appreciate any time that you guys stop by to read something that I've posted here!

Best bookish discover: Definitely Kinokuniya bookstore in the city - it's HUGE (and their YA selection is fantastic).

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals for this year?: I did complete my goodreads challenge, and reading more books by Australian authors, along with finding time to blog while still getting good results academically as well. 

Looking Ahead:

One book you didn't get to in 2014 but will be top priority in 2015: I really need to get to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I mean really, FINALLY, actually read it. 

Book you are most anticipating for 2015 (non debut): I Was Here by Gayle Forman - I can't wait to start it!

Series ending/sequel you are most anticipating for 2015: I can't wait to read the third book in the Starbound Trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. 

One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2015: Schedule more posts in advance and read more classics. 

A 2015 release you've already read and recommend to everyone: Definitely All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. It is such an emotional and moving read that's going to be a big hit in the YA contemporary scene for 2015.

And finally, I'd like to thank all of you for supporting my blog here at Genie In A Book and taking the time to stop by and visit. Knowing what a fantastic bookish community we have and the authors that also appreciate what we do to promote their books which we love makes it all worth it!