Review: The Museum of Intangible Things by Wendy Wunder (ARC)

The Museum of Intangible Things by Wendy Wunder
Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin), 304 pages
US Release Date: April 10, 2014
Format/Source: ARC from author - thank you Wendy!!

Loyalty. Envy. Obligation. Dreams. Disappointment. Fear. Negligence. Coping. Elation. Lust. Nature. Freedom. Heartbreak. Insouciance. Audacity. Gluttony. Belief. God. Karma. Knowing what you want (there is probably a French word for it). Saying Yes. Destiny. Truth. Devotion. Forgiveness. Life. Happiness (ever after).

Hannah and Zoe haven’t had much in their lives, but they’ve always had each other. So when Zoe tells Hannah she needs to get out of their down-and-out New Jersey town, they pile into Hannah’s beat-up old Le Mans and head west, putting everything—their deadbeat parents, their disappointing love lives, their inevitable enrollment at community college—behind them.

As they chase storms and make new friends, Zoe tells Hannah she wants more for her. She wants her to live bigger, dream grander, aim higher. And so Zoe begins teaching Hannah all about life’s intangible things, concepts sadly missing from her existence—things like audacity, insouciance, karma, and even happiness.

An unforgettable read from the acclaimed author of The Probability of Miracles, The Museum of Intangible Things sparkles with the humor and heartbreak of true friendship and first love.
------------------------------Goodreads Summary

Notable Quote

“Perfect should never be a goal. Perfect just happens if you let it…Perfect happens only if you get out of its way."

So I can’t really give away what my favourite part of The Museum of Intangible Things is since it’s a little spoiler-y, but let me just say…there are small details that really got to me here. In the writing, in the design (physically in the book and in the words), in the concept, in the presentation of this story. I feel like there were little glimmers amongst everything, and it was lovely.

Things I can talk about: the concept of this book is so stunning. The idea of living the intangible words, even the echo of it with Zoe and her brother Noah who has to be taught feelings (one of his lines got me so hard: “I cannot tell you how I am.”)…there’s something so subtle and powerful in those ideas. Each chapter focuses on certain intangibles, and I found myself really digging into my life and my own thoughts when each one came up. It was an astounding read to take me into my own head and life at the same time I wanted to be in Zoe and Hannah’s.

The actual plot of this story is pretty interesting, sort of outside the norm of a road trip…it’s not really searching for something, but chasing, and you definitely got that feeling throughout everything. The tone, the pacing, everything kind of gets more frenetic as it goes on, and it sweeps the reader into it all.  For some reason, it made me think of Nobody But Us by Kristen Halbrook…nothing is quite similar, but it’s the same feeling as I read it.

I liked the friendship between Zoe and Hannah, though I definitely felt it was a bit uneven. It’s built into their personalities for Hannah to give consistently while Zoe takes constantly, but I wasn’t too much a fan of that. Felt a little strange, both as characters and as a reader. And while I’ve never seen the movie Thelma and Louise, I have seen the uh…important part(s)…and for some reason that just kept popping into my head. Especially towards the end, as Zoe becomes increasingly unstable and erratic.

Even though there are parts of this book that really got to me, I was still left a bit underwhelmed. It’s similar to how I felt with her debut novel, The Probability of Miracles—things feel a little forced, a little unnatural and a little too convenient. Part of the reason may have been Danny, because I wasn’t quite a fan of him in general and especially not as he became more and more involved into the story. He came across as pompous to me, even when he was being sweet or nice, and I didn’t like it.

However, the concept of The Museum of Intangible Things and the details of its execution within the novel really did save this. I was so blown away by the usage of intangibles and feelings that I am definitely willing to overlook some of the lackluster parts. If nothing else, read this for the reflection it will cause.

3.5 Stars

Review: Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony & Rodrigo Corral

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony & Rodrigo Corral
Razorbill, 272 Pages
US Release: February 2, 2012
Challenge: Local Library Challenge

After her mother died, Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her as a piano prodigy, with a rigid schedule and the goal of playing sold-out shows across the globe. Now, as a teenager, Glory has disappeared. As readers flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, they see a girl on the precipice of disaster.
--------------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote Memorable Picture

([source], via the official Chopsticks pinterest page)

This actually wasn't the one I wanted to post, but the pages most memorable to me weren't on the Pinterest page and I figured it might be some infringement if I took a picture of the pages.

(This one is still beautiful, of course.)

I was weary at first, because it is entirely told in a picture/scrapbook-style and I mean...all you can think is a picture book, you know?  But it really is an experience, and a beautiful one.

The story itself is fairly common and predictable: a forbidden love between a piano prodigy and a hispanic boy. One watched like a hawk by her manager father, the other bullied relentlessly and finds solace in his art.  You watch their lives begin, you see their relationship begin and blossom and fulfill and struggle. You see the tangle, the debates, the passion.

It really is an amazing experience to go through this book.  Each picture is constructed masterfully, filled with such a story in each page.  There's real emotion, real thought -- and there was definitely a page or two that made my breath catch.  It's almost amazing how caught up you can get in it.

There isn't much to tell, because it's something you need to read yourself.  It was fun and exciting and so unique.  The low rating is simply because I felt like the story itself lacked; but the expression of it was phenomenal.

3.5 Stars / 5

Review: The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder
Razorbill, 357 Pages
US Released: December 8, 2011
Challenges: Completely Contemp Challenge, Library Challenge

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

Love...might be real. And love endures. Relationships endure. Because thoughts are energy, energy is matter, and matter never disappears.

I'm not sure this book is really about miracles. It's mostly about Hope, and Belief, and Family, and real love and how all that can come together to create some magical, mystical life. About how dreams can actually be real, and how a life can be a Life no matter how little time one is allowed.

I'm going to be truthful here and say that it's entirely unfair to this book that I read it almost directly after I read The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. The books aren't similar at all, but they have the same general premise: cancer, and life, and how one can go on with and in spite of the other.  And even though I know they're separate, and that there isn't really a comparison...I still compared. Campbell and Asher vs. Hazel and Augustus, one life against the other, Make-A-Wish wish vs. Make-A-Wish wish.  And I think we all know that absolutely nothing compare to TFiOS.

I think my problems were mostly in the main characters. I'm down with sarcasm and dry humor and wittiness and a bit of pessimism (I think I just described myself); but Campbell was just a little too cynical in some parts. She was funny for most of it, but there were some parts that were just too Debbie Downer for me, a little too selfish and mean. I understand she's been dealt a rotten hand in life -- and I'm sure if it were me I'd be way worse -- but there were definite parts I just wanted to tell her to at least fake it for her family's sake.  I also felt like there could have been more development to her, a little more given to her other than "has cancer."  Like the shoplifting thing, that could have been developed so much more in her psyche!

Asher was my other problem. I know he's supposed to be a little elusive and mysterious and secretive anyway, but it was too much: I never connected with him. Sure, he's sweet and thoughtful and a bit of that Knight in Shining Armour, but he never took on a real personality. His parts felt very predictable, and truthfully, a bit forced. It felt like I was just supposed to accept him as the love interest, rather than grow to love him myself.

However, I loved Alicia. I really loved Perry (Peri!), who was the only character to really make me feel something. There's a certain part of hers towards the end that was the only time I found myself sniffling a bit. I thought Wendy Wunder had phenomenal description and creativity (the Catalog Kids? Love it!), and I really enjoyed the incorporation of Disney in it. It seemed deliciously ironic that they had to leave Disney to find their dreams and miracles.

Overall, it's a good story - it just didn't quite get there for me.

3.5 Stars / 5

Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
Razorbill, 356 Pages
Released: November 21, 2011

It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present.
---------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

"He broke your heart! How can you call it love when he hurt you so badly?"

Kellan pops another fry into her mouth. "It was love because it was worth it."

I loved the nostalgia factor to the book. 1996 was probably one of the first years fully in my memory, where I was old enough (I was 9 that year) to understand and process and have interests and be aware of my life - and this brought me back to a pretty good place.  The music wasn't what I listed to (long live 90s R&B jamz!) but it still elicits some strong memories, and I loved all the other references.

Unfortunately, that was pretty much the only thing I really liked. The story is ok, revolving around a typical scenario of best friends and the awkwardness of one wanting more.  But it was underdeveloped and very unexciting. There weren't any scenes I was particularly attached to, nothing that made me gasp or cry or really feel anything.

The premise of seeing the future via Facebook is interesting, and it's a fine literary device - but it felt like they could have done so much more with this.  Having access to everyone's future? Seeing the details of your life?  Seeing the changes you make in your life? Emma touched on it when she purposefully altered things, but not much else was done. It felt like Josh and Emma were supposed to play two very different views on seeing Facebook, but nothing ever came of it. Their feelings and actions just weren't strong enough.

I also found Emma to be incredibly selfish and bothersome and frankly, stubbornly cynical. Everything was about her future, her life, her likes, her husband(s), her unhappiness. She never had a positive view on anything!  I just wanted to slap her through the pages and tell her to find a silver lining or look on the bright side!

A disappointing foray, but still an ok story in itself. The derision Emma and Josh have towards Facebook is amusing and tacked on the +.5 rating.

2.5 stars / 5

Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

A Million Suns (Across the Universe, Book 2) by Beth Revis

Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin Teen), 386 pages
Released: January 10, 2012

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

------------------Goodreads Summary

Notable Quote

"Because here's the simple truth--if I hadn't taken the ship off Phydus, people like Jordy and Ellemae would still be alive. And while I could say that a shorter life with feelings is better than a longer life without, the dead can't tell me their side."

**Possible spoilers, but I did my best to be vague and/or muddled enough where it would only make sense to those who read it :)

I named Across the Universe (Book 1) as one of my absolute favourite reads of 2011, and possibly one of my favourites ever.  So naturally, I was a bit scared about A Million Suns. I had high hopes and high expectations for it, as well as a general sense of what I hoped to happen in the plot - any reader knows that's a dangerous mix.  Plus, I learned the series would be a trilogy, and it's a generality that I make that book 2s tend to be...not so great.  They always seem to be more of a bridge, informative but not quite engaging.  It's like they're a set-up and nothing more.  So of course, I went into A Million Suns excited, but worried.

Well, rest assured that all my worries were COMPLETELY pointless.  A Million Suns is a fabulous book, filled with the hope and excitement and terror and breathlessness I was hoping for.  It is incredibly informative as I expect any second book in a trilogy to be, but it maintained action and forward movement.  All the questions and concerns I had after I finished Across the Universe were within the book, too, which is nice.

I did feel like it was slightly less exciting than Across the Universe, if only because I can't really pinpoint one thing from A Million Suns that really stands out to me as heart-pounding, stress-inducing terror like the Season scene in ATU.  AMS had its fair share of suspenseful moments, but it was never something that I couldn't get through.  I will admit that I felt much more sad in Book 2 than I did in ATU, though probably because I cared about the characters much more as well.

I'm also surprisingly frustrated with Amy and Elder.  I understand why she resists being with him, why she's scared and what it would mean if she admitted to loving him.  But it feels so...wasted. Like even though her reasons are fairly valid, it still seems like it's nothing that would really stop a teenage girl.  Probably because I just want them to step up already and be together and live happily ever after, but I had a distinct feeling of them not officially getting together just for the sake of keeping a reader strung along to see what would happen.  Even though I know the end, that little barrier of Orion still feels like it's there to simply make a reader question what could happen enough to ensure they'll read Book 3.  Almost like a literary manipulation, I suppose.

But that doesn't mean I still don't love the book!  I felt like I was part of Godspeed, looking at the stars and trying to take everything in, almost overwhelmed but unable to stop wanting more.  A perfect entrance into Book Three!

(But seriously, I have to wait A WHOLE YEAR for the last book?!  I don't know if I can make it. Someone give me a phydus patch and take me off when it's here, ok?)

4.5 Stars / 5