Hunger (Gone # 2) by Michael Grant
Published By: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: May 26, 2009
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Published By: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: Jan 31, 2017
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Published By: Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: Aug 19, 2016
Genre: Children's Fantasy, Middle Grade Fiction
Genre: Children's Fantasy, Middle Grade Fiction
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
Published By: Gallery/Scout Press
Publication Date: July 25, 2017
Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense
Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense
Fever by Lauren DeStefano
Published By: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
Publication Date: Feb 21, 2012
Genre: YA, Sci fi, Dystopia, Romance
Genre: YA, Sci fi, Dystopia, Romance
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
Published By: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 29, 2017
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Superheroes
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Superheroes
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Published By: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 22, 20011
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance
by Charles Martin
Publisher: Broadway Books, June 28, 2011
After seeing the movie trailer for The Mountain Between Us I knew I had to read the book. This isn't typically my kind of book but the trailer looked interesting and I always have to read the book before watching the movie.
Ben is a doctor returning home from a conference and Ashley is a journalist trying to get home days before her wedding. While waiting at the airport the two strike up a conversation and this is where we first learn a little bit about the main characters. Due to a snow storm their flight is cancelled. On his way to a hotel Ben sees a private airport and decides to see if he can get a charter flight. As luck would have it, the pilot agrees to take him. Ben goes back to find Ashley to see if she would like to join him. As they are flying over the Utah mountains the pilot has a heart attack and the plane crashes. This is where the story really begins.
As Ben wakes up after the crash he slowly realizes the situation they're in. The pilot is dead, the plane is in pieces, Ashley appears to have a broken leg and multiple cuts, and he has a couple broken ribs along with some cuts and bruises too. The pilot did not have a flight plan and neither Ben nor Ashley told anyone they were going on this plane. So now they are stranded and no one even knows they took this flight or where they are. They are stranded with no hope of help coming.
Because of Ashley's broken leg it's up to Ben to do pretty much everything. He has to find them food, shelter, and figure out how to get out of there. Now this is where it gets a little unbelievable for me. I'll take the chance meeting, the plane crash and all but as it turns out Ben is Super Survival Man. He just happens to know how to make snow shoes and cut up pieces of an airplane to use as a sled and navigate these harsh mountains. Oh, and he can hunt and fish. And it just so happens he has a compass and jet boil and sleeping bags, among other things because he likes to go climbing in his spare time. Mhm, sure. But anyways, I can look past all that because it was actually a great story! The bond that these two developed was really the center of it. Ashley is totally dependant on Ben and he is determined to get both of them out of there alive. The face so many obstacles together and come out of it with a new perspective on life and love.
I can't say I'll be reading any other books by Charles Martin but this one was fantastic! If you're into romance or adventure and survival books, or even if you thought the movie trailer looked interesting you should definitely pick this one up!
Gone (Gone #1) by Michael Grant
Published By: HarperTeen
Publication Date: June 24, 2008
Genre: YA, Science Fiction
Hunted by Meagan Spooner
Published By: HarperTeen
Published By: HarperTeen
Publication Date: March 14, 2017
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling
Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka
Published By: Simon & Schuster
Published By: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: August 1, 2017
Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller
I love finding hidden gems, and this place is definitely one of my favorites! Tucked away down some winding, rocky terrain in Williston, Florida right next door to Devil's Den (another amazing spot I absolutely love and will write about in a future post) is a beautiful little paradise filled with waterfalls, flowers and lakes.
Plan for at least an hour to explore all the lovely little nooks and crannies. This old lime rock quarry was transformed by Dr. Raymond Webber little by little, wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow, over the years into this stunning oasis.
Picnic tables, benches and many scenic overlooks are sprinkled throughout. We had the entire place to ourselves on our very first trip. No lines, no people, just the beauty of nature surrounding us.
We came across this gorgeous pair of swans napping and paddling about the lake. I made sure to snap their picture from a safe distance. Geese and swans are two aggressive feathered critters I don't trust for a minute, especially during nesting season. They certainly are beautiful to admire though.
After all that exploring we were thrilled to come across the perfect spot to rest. A good book and a hammock like this would make for the most wonderful afternoons.
If you plan to visit here are some tips:
Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Don't forget your camera.
Bring a picnic.
Check their website for upcoming events.
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2017
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
Published By: Viking Books for Young Readers
Published By: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 8, 2016
Genre: YA, Fantasy
The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse
Published By: Lake Union Publishing
Published By: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: March 21, 2017
Genre: Women's Fiction
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Published By: Jimmy Patterson
Published By: Jimmy Patterson
Publication Date: September 20, 2016
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Horror
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Published by Walker & Company, February 1, 2012
I had never heard of this book until I saw the trailer for the movie. It looked like any other children's fantasy movie and when I saw that it was based on a book I knew I had to read it. I went into this book not knowing much about it. There was a boy and a monster. Seems pretty harmless and fun, right? Wrong!
This is the story of a boy named Conor and how he comes to deal with his mothers terminal illness. He feels so alone, invisible. So he calls upon a monster. The monster takes the form of a tree, a yew tree to be exact. The same tree his mother looks out the window at often. The monster appears at 12:07. He tells Conor that he will tell him 3 stories and in return he will get a 4th story from Conor and "it will be the truth". The monster appears when Conor needs him and helps him cope with the heartbreaking situations around him.
The illustrations throughout the book are amazing, adding just that extra layer of emotion. The author's writing is phenomenal!
A Monster Calls is a rather short book at only 224 pages, but nothing seems rushed, only urgent. It truly captured what it is to love someone and let them go. To face the truth. It is a beautifully tragic story that will leave you sad but also uplifted.
This book is recommended for children but I don't think young children (under 10 maybe?) would be able to fully grasp the meaning of the story and what it is that Conor is going through. I'd say this one is more for older kids, teens, even adults! I think everyone can relate, in one way or another, to what Conor is facing.
I did watch the movie after reading this and it does differ slightly from the book. There is a scene at the end of the movie that was not in the book that was so sweet and moving :)
It was no less heart wrenching though. Still, it is a must see! Have lots of tissues on hand!
-BW
Max and Menna by Shauna Kelley
Published By: Lucky Press
Publication Date: November 1, 2010
Genre: YA, Fiction
Published By: Lucky Press
Publication Date: November 1, 2010
Genre: YA, Fiction
Mona Lisa's Secret by Phil Philips
Publication Date: September 15, 2016
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction
Wolf Landing by: Aimee Easterling
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform December 2, 2016
The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares
Published By: Delacorte Press
Published By: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Genre: YA, Contemporary