Autofocus - Review

Autofocus

By: Lauren Gibaldi

Published: June 14th 2016 by Harper Teen

352 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

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*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From the author of The Night We Said Yes comes a fun and heartfelt YA contemporary tale. When Maude decides to search for information about her birth mother, she finds out more than she expected. Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Susane Colasanti.

Family. It’s always been a loaded word for Maude, whose birth mother died after giving her up for adoption. With her best friend, Treena, in college in the same town where her birth mother grew up, Maude decides to visit and explore her past. But when Maude arrives, she quickly discovers that Treena doesn’t seem to have time for her—or for helping with her search. Enter Bennett, a cute guy who lives in Treena’s dorm. He understands Maude’s need to find her mother. And as Bennett helps Maude, she starts to realize that her mother’s past doesn’t have to define her own future.

I was pleasantly surprised with Lauren Gibaldi's release last year, The Night We Said Yes. So when I saw Autofocus avaliable for review I was excited to see what was next for Lauren Gibaldi.

Stories about adoption and the journey to find out how much of one's self is from birth and how much is learned is not entirely original. Even though I'm not adopted, I cannot imagine not being curious about my birth family had I been. And that's exactly what's going on with Maude. She's been assigned a photography project about family and she just feels like not exploring her birth family would be leaving out a huge part of herself from the project. The problem is Maude knows very little about her birth mother and nothing about her birth father. The only real thing that Maude knows is that her birth mother went to college for a brief time at FSU in Tallahassee. Fortunately for her, her best friend Treena currently attends FSU.

Autofocus wasn't really about learning about her mother so much as Maude learning about herself. It was one of those "coming of age" stories. And even though those are usually not my favorite, Autofocus is one of the exceptions. Well I mean, it's still not really a "favorite", but it was a decent and enjoyable finding yourself story.

And it's not just Maude, but Maude's friend, Treena, is also going through a similar journey of finding herself. She's not searching for her birth family because she's not adopted, but she's trying to figure out who she is apart from her parents and even apart from Maude. I was frustrated with Treena through a lot of Autofocus, especially, how quickly she was to settle for less than she deserved.

During Maude's trip, Treena was supposed to be there to help her out. Unfortunately, Treena is at the very beginning of a new relationship. You know the one. The stage where nothing else matters but spending time with the new love interest. I can totally relate, but I'm also so glad that I don't have to endure that stage anymore myself. Because Treena's a bit preoccupied, Maude spends most of her journey discovering herself and her story with Bennett, a friend of Treena's from school.

Bennett was great. He's there for Maude in a way that can't help but bond the two together. Of course, feelings develop. And I really enjoyed the build of their friendship to more.

Autofocus is a "coming of age"/"finding yourself" story about a girl trying to learn how much of her is born into her versus how much she's learned and absorbed from her adoptive parents. I could related to her feelings even if I've never experienced those exact feelings myself. I could definitely understand the new relationship feelings and the feelings of a friend you count on not being there. Autofocus left things a bit open ended. Sometimes I prefer my stories to be a bit more wrapped up, and sometimes I like them open. The open ending for Autofocus ended up being a good thing in my opinion. I didn't enjoy this one as much as The Night We Said Yes, but it was still a solid read. Autofocus gets 3.5 Stars from me. Have you read Autofocus? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 199 & Stacking the Shelves - 141

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

The flying ants that swarm our neighborhood during the summer have officially made an appearance. It sucks because that impacts us going for a walk. We've still gotten in a few walks, but we pretty much have to rush to eat as soon as husband gets home from work and then walk immediately after eating. But we do what we can. I went with my friend Paula to see Me Before You on Saturday and to eat lunch. I pretty much never get to see her since I'm not working anymore so it was really nice to be able to catch up and spend some time together. I haven't actually read the book yet so I won't be doing a movie review. I've had a hold placed on it at the library for a while now but I'm still waiting. Hopefully I'll get it soon.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, & Jodi Meadows (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Colleen Hoover
Wednesday: Waiting on Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review Autofocus by Lauren Gilbaldi
Tuesday: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases July - December 2016
Wednesday: Waiting on Wedndays

Don’t forget to sign up for the 2016 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15, 2016 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Zac and Mia

By: AJ Betts

Published: July 24th 2013 by Text Publishing

310 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Source: Sync Audiobooks free download

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--"When I was little I believed in Jesus and Santa, spontaneous combustion, and the Loch Ness monster. Now I believe in science, statistics, and antibiotics."

So says seventeen-year-old Zac Meier during a long, grueling leukemia treatment in Perth, Australia. A loud blast of Lady Gaga alerts him to the presence of Mia, the angry, not-at-all-stoic cancer patient in the room next door. Once released, the two near-strangers can’t forget each other, even as they desperately try to resume normal lives. The story of their mysterious connection drives this unflinchingly tough, tender novel told in two voices.

Winner of the 2012 Australian Text Prize.

Leaving Paradise (Paradise, # 1)

By: Simone Elkeles

Published: April 8th 2007 by Flux

303 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Borrowed from library

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*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Waiting on Carve the Mark

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Carve the Mark

By: Veronica Roth

Expected Publication: January 17th 2017 by Katherine Tegen Books

528 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Fans of Star Wars and Divergent will revel in internationally bestselling author Veronica Roth’s stunning new science-fiction fantasy series.

On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another.

What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Colleen Hoover

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Colleen Hoover.

I tried to come up with another topic. I really did, but this is just what I kept coming back to. So I'm rolling with it.

1. I love that Colleen Hoover has incorporated the arts of some form into almost every one of her books. Poetry in Slammed, painting in Confess, music in Maybe Someday, and writing in November 9.
2. Colleen Hoover hooks me quickly. Every single book has me hanging on every word so quickly. Very few authors can do that so consistently.
3. Even the books that I haven't loved, I've still loved. I didn't love the friends with benefits relationship from Ugly Love, but I adored the formatting she chose for writing the book. I didn't love the cheating relationship from Maybe Someday or that Ridge seemed to choose Sydney only when things with Maggie were beyond repair, but I loved the creativeness of the music being so fully incorporated into the story.
4. She's hilarious. Her books genuinely make me chuckle. The flirting is usually where it lies. I end up cheesing like an idiot while I'm reading her books.
5. I love how it's all about the romance. I'm sure her books have been criticized for insta-loving vibes, but I like to think of it more as an insta-connection. Which I happen to think is actually realistic.
6. Because of the BEST FIRST KISS EVER!
7. I love Colleen Hoover's side characters. Almost every time I read one of her books, the side characters are so well developed that I can't help but want to know more about them. There's almost always someone that I wish she'd write another book about.
8. This is going to seem contradictory to the previous point, but I love that she doesn't always follow those urges. Sometimes the best thing you can do is leave the audience (or readers) wanting more.
9. I happen to think Colleen Hoover is extremely generous. She's offered so many giveaways (even one a day for a year a while back) and she even created a non-profit organization that sends the proceeds to charity. Plus she's always dropping books into those free book boxes or leaving signed copies of her books in the book store. She's written several pieces for free for her readers (Finding Cinderella, Too Late).
10. And because...Will Cooper...of course.

What do you guys think? Do you love CoHo as much as I do? What are your reasons? Let me know!

Never Never Pt 1
Never Never Pt 2
Point of Retreat
This Girl
Hopeless
Losing Hope
Maybe Not

My Lady Jane - Review

My Lady Jane

By: Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, & Brodi Ashton

Published: June 7th 2016 by HarperTeen

512 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--For fans of The Princess Bride comes the comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey.

Lady Jane Grey, sixteen, is about to be married to a total stranger—and caught up in an insidious plot to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But that’s the least of Jane’s problems. She’s about to become Queen of England. Like that could go wrong.

Is there anyone not completely intrigued by the Tudors? Specifically Henry VIII, his wives, and children? I'm sure those people are out there somewhere, but I'm not one of them. Now don't get me wrong, I don't read everything I can get my hands on about the family, but I am intrigued. It definitely wasn't the "fans of The Princess Bride" part of the description that drew me in.

My Lady Jane is a different kind of book. It's authored by three popular authors. Considering the book is written from three different perspectives (Edward, Jane, and Gifford) I'm going to assume each author probably took a character. However, since I've not actually read any of these authors before (except Cynthia Hand several years back), I couldn't begin to guess who authored each character. The authors take a very active approach to the narration. They interject commentary and such throughout the book. Sometimes I found the commentary humorous and sometimes I was slightly annoyed with it (but not overly so). I did actually laugh out loud--once--while reading My Lady Jane and that is a feat so kudos for that.

I won't say I was blown away by the story of My Lady Jane or the changes that the authors made to the real story, but I will say that I read this one much faster than I've been reading other books lately (especially considering it was over 500 pages) because I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

So Jane Grey is the cousin to King Edward (son of Henry VIII). Edward has been diagnosed with an illness that will likely take his life. Because My Lady Jane has a magical aspect--shapeshifting--politics are a wee bit different than the real life events. Mary, Henry VIII's firstborn, is openly and adamantly against Edians. And I can't really remember why Edward thought Bess (Elizabeth) wouldn't make a good ruler, but it doesn't really matter. Edward, with the encouragement of Lord Dudley, decides that his cousin and best friend, Jane, will be the next in line for the crown should he succumb to his illness. Conveniently enough, Lord Dudley talks Edward into marrying Jane off to his youngest son, Gifford. Jane follows through for Edward's sake.

The relationship between Jane and Gifford quickly became my favorite part of My Lady Jane. It was easy to see that they each had the wrong idea about the other and if only they could end up getting on the same page then they would easily find each other much more agreeable. I liked how despite their rocky start, both Jane and Gifford honored their marriage by sticking beside the other even though there was no real bond there yet.

I hesitate to mention this now as I think I might want to do a discussion post about it in the future. But I find it somewhat annoying when cultural and historical events are thrown out for the sake of modern day. While it might not be accepted in today's culture, two people from an arranged marriage in the time period which this novel supposedly took place would have consummated their marriage if for no other reason than that's what's expected of them. Yet this rarely happens in arranged marriages no matter the time or culture in books written today. As I said, thoughts for a discussion post in the future.

Favorite quotes:

-It was a sad day when he yearned for a nice, tidy beheading.

-"I'm dead, Sire,"...

I'm sure there's much more to mention. I feel like I'm leaving much out of my review. There was humor and modern day references that didn't annoy me. There was romance. There was forbidden romance. Castles and kings. With a bit of magic that might turn off readers who don't enjoy fantasy but just made perfect sense for the changes in history that the authors made to the story. Overall, I think My Lady Jane gets 4 Stars from me. Have you read My Lady Jane? What did you think? Let me know!