Crossing Over: Rainbow Rowell Edition

This is a feature I started a while ago to recommend adult books based on if you liked a similar YA book. For me the classifications of books by age group is pretty superficial and there is so much crossover. I originally thought I would pick a "Geek Book" and I had a few ideas, then I realized they were both from the same author. So this time instead of picking a specific genre I decided to pick Rainbow Rowell.

Rainbow's second "adult" book, and fourth overall, Landline, came out yesterday and I could essentially just recommend her adult books to you, which are just as wonderful as her more popular YA, but that's too easy. So here are a few recommendations based on Rainbow Rowell's fantastic young adult books!

(can I just point out the creative use of headphones in both cover designs)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
Eleanor & Park is a completely wonderful look at first love that will not only make you swoon and laugh out loud, but will leave you sobbing on the floor with the dreaded book hangover. The teen protagonists are complex and likable and the punk rock influences will leave a song in your head while reading. With this book Rainbow Rowell shows how she is a master of the Contemporary genre by effortlessly balancing the lighthearted and heavy moments in life.

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
Amazon - Goodreads
If you liked Landline then definitely check out Juliet, Naked. It is a totally engaging look at romance that will make you laugh out loud and think very critically about love. It may also leave you sobbing on the floor with the dreaded book hangover. The protagonists are realistic and likable and the punk rock influences will leave a song in your head while reading. Nick Hornby absolutely proves he is a master of the Contemporary genre by effortlessly balancing the lighthearted and heavy moments in life.

I may have read Juliet, Naked first but now that I think about it, it could very well be a look at Eleanor & Park in the future (although it's not the future I want for them). Nick Hornby and Rainbow Rowell have similar writing styles and both really know how to craft a Contemporary novel that will leave you thinking about it well after you've finished reading! If you liked Eleanor & Park and their story of love with a punk rock soundtrack check out Juliet, Naked. But be warned it is not a happy love story.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
Set during her freshman year of college, Fangirl is an exploration of Cath Avery and her inability to adjust to the changes that are before her. She's a little insecure, a lot nerdy, and all kinds of easy to empathize with. Enter Levi, an amazing and swoonworthy romantic lead, there to help Cath through the challenges. The book is full of interesting and complex characters and a great balance to the light and heavy. It's the perfect book for someone "in transition" and it really felt like I was reading a book about me.

College Girl by Patricia Weitz
Amazon - Goodreads
Set during her senior year of college, College Girl is an exploration of Natalie Bloom and her inability to adjust to the changes that are before her. She's a little nerdy, a lot insecure, and all kinds of easy to empathize with. Enter Patrick, her perfect guy, there to help Natalie through the challenges. Again this book will make you question romance and love, probably leaving you sobbing but it does still balance those depressing moments with ones that are lighthearted and funny. This is perfect book for anyone feeling "in transition" and it really felt like I was reading a book about me.

I'm not sure how long ago I read College Girl but I know one thing for sure, this book shook me to my core. I think I read it when I was experiencing my quarter-life crisis and it felt like I was reading a page out of my own diary. Similar to Fangirl it not only felt like it was book for me but a book about me! If you liked reading about Cath's coming of age story and struggle to find herself then check out Natalie's. But be aware this book is definitely aged up and does deal a lot with sex and the consequences of losing your virginity before you're really ready.

Wrap Up: November

The month has come to a close, and let me tell you, it was an interesting one. I'm am insanely proud of myself for what I have accomplished. It was my first time taking part in NaNoWriMo and I wasn't really sure how I would do and... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! I won, I wrote 50,280 words of a novel. I know a lot of people don't get that far and I'm pretty proud of myself. I'm not finished but I know where I'm going with it so my plan is to take a few days of a break and then finish it. I'm not really interested in publishing it but it was really fun to write it. I'll probably do it again next year, this experience has really got the creative juices flowing! I'm also proud of that because on top of work, family time, and writing I still managed to read three books and listen to two audiobooks. I kind of underestimated myself and ended up reading an extra book in addition to the ones I had planned.

QUICK REVIEWS

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Full Review
Rating: 9 out of 10
Quick Review: Great Contemporary novel with interesting and characters you can relate to. A story that is the perfect combination of fluffy and thought-provoking. The ending felt a little rushed and it left me wanting more, but on the whole a great read.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
Full Review
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Quick Review: Historical Fiction about comic books! The book had phenomenal writing and unique storytelling, you easily become attached to the characters and want them to win in the end, which was a bit in satisfying.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Full Review
Rating: 8 out of 10
Quick Review: The final book in an amazing series. Great world-building, page-turning action, thought-provoking, and complicated characters that are flawed but likable. It was a heart-wrenching read but a satisfying if not bittersweet ending to the series.

The Magician King by Lev Grossman
Full Review
Rating: 9 out 10
Quick Review: The second book in a series that takes identifiable fantasy stories and turns them on their heads. It's an epic adventure story and heroes journey that addresses a lot of relatable themes and continues to build an interesting world. The characters are complex and flawed but you still want them to succeed. The ending has a shocking twist and makes me really want to read the final book.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Full Review
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Quick Review: an engrossing tale about an 80's pop culture induced adventure within a video game. The characters are interesting and likable, ithr plot is full of action, and there are numerous topical issues people today are faced with as technology. The flow was a bit slow at times but an amazing read on the whole.


It was a great month of reading, I read some of my favorite books of the year. Clearly there is a trend that I like an relate to geek type characters, and enjoy stories that have larger themes about society and humanity. Check out the full review for each book and let me know your thoughts on them. Tell me about what you read in the comments section and of course... HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin, 2013
Target Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Goodreads
Amazon
Synopsis: Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life--and she's really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to.
Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Review:

November TBR: Geek Books and NaNoWriMo

Hey Everyone, before I get started in sharing what I plan to read this month I want to explain why it is a little less extensive than my usual or planned readings.

For those of you who did not know November is National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo. The goal of this month being that aspiring writers can take the opportunity to pen (key?) a 50,000 word novel during these 30 days. There are published writers who serve as mentors and coaches, writing challenges, forums, and a prize at the end. I've never actually considered myself an aspiring writer. I've never really wanted to write a book. I'm not a very good writer. I am however an idea person. I have always had an overactive imagination. I come up with a loads of ideas for things I would think would make great books, movies, songs, etc. I never however want to write them myself so that's where it always stays... an idea. So about a year ago I had this million dollar idea for a book. I'm not sure where or how the idea came to me it was just there in my head, fully-formed. Every time I tell anyone about my idea they tell me how great it sounds. And I mean everyone. Even those people who are notoriously doubters and spoilsports tell me it's a good idea.

So I've decided to make it happen. The book is called Murder House for Sale and it is about a bad real estate agent who is evicted from his apartment the same day he is told by his boss that if he doesn't sell a house he is going to be fired. Having nowhere to go he decides to move into the house he's trying to sell so he can devote his full attention to selling it. When he arrives there in the dead of night he is met with quite a shock, a freshly dead body. He can't tell the police because then he'll never be able to sell the house and he'll lose his job. In a moment of impulsive thought he decides to try and solve the murder himself and sell the house at the same time. As you can imagine.. hi-jinx ensue.

It's day four and I'm about 10,000 words in. I can't describe how fun and easy it has been so far. The words are just flowing out of me. Like I said, the idea just popped into my head fully formed. I did have a few people ask me probing question to be able to understand some of the minute details of the story but I'm really excited. I hope it turns out well. I'm not really expecting much of anything to come out of it but it's just fun to get it all written down.

If you are interested in getting involved in NaNoWriMo it's not too late, check out the site for more information! NaNoWriMo

NOW, ON WITH THE SHOW....

For the month of November I have plans to read four books, two of them will be audiobooks though.

The first is the one I am most excited about...

Title: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell.
Published:St Martin's Griffin, 2013
Target Audience: Young Adult
Goodreads               Amazon

The synopis is to too long to post but it's about Cath, a girl who is deep into the fandom of Simon Snow, writing one of it's most popular fanfiction. It got her through some really tough times. But now that she is starting her freshman year of college is she ready to leave Simon Snow behind or does she still need the fandom?

This book popped up on my recommendations from Amazon shortly after it came out. The premise sounded amazing and like my freshman year of college. I added it to my wishlist and moved on from there (I hate hardcovers and wanted to wait for it to be in paperback). But the book has been exploding in the book reviewing internet community. Not to mention I heard that Rainbow Rowell actually wrote most of it during NaNoWriMo. It seems sufficiently engaging and light enough that I can read it while I write. I am about halfway through the book and I already love it!

Title: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Author: Michael Chabon
Published: Random House, 2000
Target Audience: Adult
Goodreads                Amazon

Synopsis:  Joe Kavalier, a young Jewish artist who has also been trained in the art of Houdini-esque escape, has just smuggled himself out of Nazi-invaded Prague and landed in New York City. His Brooklyn cousin Sammy Clay is looking for a partner to create heroes, stories, and art for the latest novelty to hit America - the comic book. Drawing on their own fears and dreams, Kavalier and Clay create the Escapist, the Monitor, and Luna Moth, inspired by the beautiful Rosa Saks, who will become linked by powerful ties to both men. With exhilarating style and grace, Michael Chabon tells an unforgettable story about American romance and possibility.

I heard about this book a few years ago from a channel I subscribe to on YouTube (shout out to Will and RJ at Shep689) who no longer makes book review videos. It sounded really interesting and like something I would really enjoy. I'm pretty excited about reading about the creation of comic books during their golden age when it was basically propaganda. Also it won the Pulitzer Prize so it must be well-written.

 
This month I will be reading two audiobooks. Because for one thing, I need to read Allegiant and I don't want to buy the hardcover. I would listen to it when I drive to my parent's house for Thanksgiving but I can't wait that long!

Title: Allegiant (Divergent Trilogy Book 3)
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 2013
Target Audience: Young Adult
Goodreads                Amazon

Synopsis: The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

This series has been incredible so far and I really hope this final book doesn't let me down. I've heard there are some pretty seriously unexpected twists and a death that even the author regrets. I'm pretty excited to experience it. 

 Title: Ready Player One 
Author: Ernest Cline
Publisher: Broadway Books, 2012
Target Audience: Young Adult?
Goodreads               Amazon

Synopsis:  In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.

This is another book that has exploded in the book reviewing community. Everyone seems to have read and reviewed it. It is another one that I added to my wishlist and then moved one. But then when I heard that the audiobook was read by Wil Wheaton I was sold. So this is my Road Trip Read.

As I'm presenting all of these together I just realized there is kind of a trend or theme again this month, they're very nerdtastic! So apparently this month I'm reading Geek Books!

If you've read any of these books please leave me a comment, stay tuned for my reviews, and as always... HAPPY READING!