Oh Yeah, Audrey! by Tucker Shaw

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Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 243
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 14+

Gemma ran away from home to wait outside Tiffany's. She is planning to meet the other members of her Tumblr, "Oh Yeah, Audrey!"--a celebration of all things Audrey Hepburn. Gemma has the whole day planned out, but things go off course when she meets Dusty. Suddenly, she feels like Audrey. But is being Audrey everything she thought it would be?

I have to admit that what drew me to this book was Audrey Hepburn. Though, unlike the characters in this book, I'm more a Roman Holiday, Sabrina fan. I've only seen Breakfast at Tiffany's once. However, it isn't necessary to know Tiffany's in order to enjoy this book.

The book is really about knowing what is really important, and learning to love yourself. Is Audrey important or was it that she brought together four people? What about family and friends? Sometimes, we need to go off track a little bit so that we can see who we really are.

The book was well written, though I had some disbelief about some of the motivations of the characters and their actions. I think it is more geared toward young to mid-teens. There isn't any language and a mild sexual situation.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.

Five Years in Heaven by John Schlimm

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Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Image
Pages: 272
My rating: 3.5 stars
Ages: 14+

While trying to find a new direction in life, and feeling disheartened, John walks into the convent's ceramic shop and meets Sister Augustine. For five years, John joins Sister in her shop, learning from her and getting everyone else excited about the ceramics shop. It's an unlikely friendship, but one that helps John, Sister, and the convent.

For about two pages I wasn't sure how I would like this book. My mind changed quickly. Everything that Sister Augustine said to John seemed meant for me--and I think anyone reading it will feel that way. After reading the first couple of chapters, I got out some sticky notes and started marking pages that had something that I really liked.

Another part that I really liked was the story of how Sister Augustine got her call. Amazing and beautiful.

This is a bit of a niche book--those not religious may not like it. Also, I felt that the dialogue was a little stilted, but since Schlimm's writing is usually on a different end of the spectrum, I can see why. As it is, I thought it was a great story, had some amazing insights, and I think should be something everyone should read.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Last Best Kiss by Claire LaZebnick

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Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 374
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 14+

Three years ago, Anna and Finn were perfect for each other. But Anna let what her friends thought of Finn color their relationship, and she lost him--and more than just romantically. Finn and his parents moved away at the end of the year. Now seniors, Anna and Finn are reunited, but Anna isn't sure if they can ever be friends (or more) again. Not after what she did.

This is a retelling and modernization of Jane Austen's Persuasion. In a way, it was fun for me to try and figure out which characters were supposed to be which and what situations lined up with the original novel. And sometimes it was distracting. Those not familiar with Persuasion will be able to find the story as enjoyable as other YA romances.

This is a quick read--I read it within 24 hours of starting it. It was light, the characters were fun, and it was an easy read. It's definitely something that I see younger teens reading and enjoying at face value. I liked it at face value for some light reading, but I liked it more because of its connection to Austen.

There was some drug and alcohol use, one use of the F-word, and some sexual situations, but nothing too hot and heavy.

*I do not receive any compensation from Amazon.

Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers

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Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 390
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 14+

When Avery's grandmother creates a set of challenges to determine who will be her heir, Avery is glad for the chance to get away from her boarding school. However, the thought of spending time with her uncles and cousins leaves much to be desired. Over two weeks and several countries, Avery learns more about her family and where she came from.

This book was one of those books that I just wanted to keep reading, which is tough when I read during my lunch break. The adventure comes through these series of challenges, a sort of giant scavenger hunt based on family history. Avery is a complex character, tough but vulnerable, smart but somewhat naive.

As in her previous novel, Myers weaves an interesting and complex story, full of twists and turns, make it enjoyable to read and fairly hard to predict. Which I love. I like her characters, her settings, and the descriptions. And who can deny the presence of an attractive guy?

There is no language and no sexual situations. Perfect for teens.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.

Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film by Patton Oswalt

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Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Scribner
Pages: 222
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 16+

Oswalt spent four years sinking deeper and deeper into his addiction. It was alcohol or drugs, but film. He needed it, craved it, as much as any other drug. He planned his weeks around his movies, lost a girlfriend, and alienated friends. While he eventually found his way out, he shares these stories to show what he learned.

This is one of those books that makes you rethink your own life and actions. Are you enjoying life or only seeing it through a screen or reading it on a page? Like Oswalt, are we saying that we are going to do something, that we're getting "inspiration," but never actually doing it?

In fact, there were times that I almost felt uncomfortable reading it because I could see parts of myself in it. But I think that's what made it good and worth reading. Shouldn't memoirs help us learn a little about ourselves? The writing was good and entertaining. I think those interesting in film and cinema would especially like it.

There was some hard language.

*I do not receive any compensation from Amazon.

Halley's Gift and Eight Other Extraordinary Tales by Carey B. Azzara

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Publication date: 2015
Publisher: By the author, produced by Boston Writers Publishing
Pages: 232
My rating: 2 stars
Ages:18+

In nine short stories, the reader is introduced to nine different people who overcome trials in a variety of ways. From Halley learning to use her gift to Elysha fighting for her life and her treasure.

I liked that Azzara's stories are about people overcoming their difficulties, even if I didn't think that the way that some of them overcame them was the best way to do so. And I have a lot of respect for someone who puts their fiction out there for the world to see and judge.

That being said . . . I guess it's time for my judgment. It's difficult to turn off my editor's eyes. I've trained to have them and sometimes I can, but sometimes I can't. I think that Azzara would have benefitted from the help of a substantive editor during the revision phase, and a proofreader/copy editor before printing. I came across chronological errors, as well as some typos. In one story, it seemed that Azzara's character bio for the main character was left in--because I couldn't make it fit into the story.

It's obvious that Azzara loves to write. It was clear that he did a lot of research for his stories.

There is some language and sexual situations.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for this review.

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier (trans. Anthea Bell)

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Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Pages: 319
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 14+
Series: The Silver Trilogy

Liv has lived all over the world, loves a mystery, and is looking forward to settling down in a little cottage in Oxford with her mom and sister. Things don't turn out the way Liv was expecting and she ends up living in London. Her dreams become vivid and more intense--and then she starts seeing the four hottest boys from her new school in her dreams. And that's only the beginning of the weirdness she encounters in the first few months of her new life.

I really liked Gier's first trilogy (the Ruby Red Trilogy) and I'm so glad that this book has now been translated into English. Gier creates unique and interesting stories that grab you and keep you reading. In Ruby it was time travel and this one it's the dream world. She creates good characters, not just main characters, but secondary and background characters too. And it's obvious that she has the same love of London that I do.

I also feel like there needs to be a shout out to Bell. Her translations are amazing. There are moments when I wonder how on earth she was so flawlessly able to translate something that obviously is a play on words or turns of phrase. That is a talent that I know I will never have (not being fluent in another language . . .) and I admire her work. There were a few times when I think that the language was a little too formal for the characters, but I'm not sure if that was an error in translation or was originally written that way by Gier.

I am so looking forward to the next installment to this trilogy and hope that I won't have to wait too log for it to make it to the states.

Some sexual innuendo and mild language.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.