Book Review: The Lucy Variations

Lucy Beck-Moreau once had a promising future as a concert pianist. The right people knew her name, her performances were booked months in advance, and her future seemed certain.

That was all before she turned fourteen.

Now, at sixteen, it's over. A death, and a betrayal, led her to walk away. That leaves her talented ten-year-old brother, Gus, to shoulder the full weight of the Beck-Moreau family expectations. Then Gus gets a new piano teacher who is young, kind, and interested in helping Lucy rekindle her love of piano -- on her own terms. But when you're used to performing for sold-out audiences and world-famous critics, can you ever learn to play just for yourself?

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr takes readers inside the exclusive world of privileged San Francisco families, top junior music competitions, and intense mentorships. The Lucy Variations is a story of one girl's struggle to reclaim her love of music and herself. It's about finding joy again, even when things don't go according to plan. Because life isn't a performance, and everyone deserves the chance to make a few mistakes along the way.

I was counting down the days until The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr hit the shelves. I'd read and loved her previous four books, so I had high expectations for this one. And she did not disappoint.

Lucy comes from a well-off family. She and her brother play the piano. And I don't mean just a few times a week, with lessons one day, and a year-end recital. It's almost their entire lives. But Lucy quits and tries to take control of her life. Her grandfather is a music lover, and her mother grew up playing. So the pressure Lucy and Gus face to not only play, but play perfectly, is high. The book picks up after some time has passed since Lucy quit, and she's considering maybe, possibly playing again.

As with the last several releases by Sara Zarr, I went into it without knowing what it was about. I find that to be a lot of fun. I didn't know what to expect except a girl named Lucy and a piano in there somewhere. Her writing is fantastic, and her story-telling really sucked me in. The Lucy Variations was very different from her previous releases. I think this is due to her growth as a writer, considering this is her fifth YA contemporary published.

Lucy's book is not my favorite of Zarr's, but it was definitely an enjoyable read. (All of her books are worth picking up. It's some of the best contemporary YA out there, in my opinion.) Beware, it will make you cry. But it will also make you laugh. I have a love/hate relationship with Lucy. Sometimes I felt like I really understood her, and sometimes I wanted to smack her. But, for me, that's the perfect kind of book. Pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

Rookie Magazine

a.k.a. my new favorite thing.

I first learned about Rookie Magazine from Stephanie Kuehnert's blog. And I try every weekday to log on and read the selections. There are three selections posted each day, at roughly 3, 7, and 11.

*picture from Rookie Mag welcome letter*

Rookie Magazine, while targeted at teen girls, is fun for any age. I'm 28, and it looks like a lot of the contributors are close to my age. So when they talk about their high school years, it's about the same time I was in high school.

There's fiction, real stories, pictures and photos, playlists, and fantastic art. Definitely check it out and look out for your opportunity to get involved with this online magazine!

Book Review: Shade

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready sat on my shelf - signed - for over a year. I had met Jeri a few times, and as another signing came up, I decided I had to read something of hers before then. So... I finally picked up Shade.

I realized as I started it, I hadn't even read the synopsis. I knew it was about ghosts and teens who can see them. But the bit about our main character losing her boyfriend, Logan, surprised me. Yeah, clearly I hadn't read the synopsis. But one thing that shows me is how much I value the opinions of my friends that read and book bloggers. I had picked it up, solely based on hearing others say how good it was.

And I have to agree. It was good. Well... amazing probably fits better. I loved it. I didn't want to put it down. The world Jeri's created, a world where the "shift" has made it so that everyone born after it can see ghosts is complex and interesting. Aura was the first born post-shift, so she can ghosts. In the dark, they shine violet. In the sun, their glow hides them. This is the first time I've ever read a book in which ghosts had rules.

I'm very excited to read book two in the series, Shift. But I'm going to wait a bit closer to the release of book three, Shine, so there is less wait. In the meantime, I'll be checking out Jeri Smith-Ready's other series.

Music Giveaway: Tricky Pixie

Last night I saw the fabulous SJ Tucker at a house concert in Maryland. The cool thing about house concerts is that the crowds are small, and the artist has time to speak with everyone while signing CDs. This is the second time I met Sooj, and she is fantastic. You know you've found a good artist when they're better live than on their recordings. As my friend Melissa said, we listen to the CDs to remind ourselves of the awesomeness of the live performances.

You can listen to pretty much anything of hers at her website. I recommend checking out the first three tracks on Mischief and The Wendy Trilogy on Sirens.

She has five solo albums, and three albums that are companions to novels written by her friend Catherynne Valente. There is a live album available only from iTunes or from her at a signing. And lastly, she has an album titled Mythcreants with her band Tricky Pixie, which includes Betsy Tinny (of Gaia Consort) and Alexander James Adams.

After Sooj's amazing performance, I picked up my favorite album of hers, which is Mythcreants with her band Tricky Pixie. She signed it, and I'm going to give it away to one luck follower, along with some swag! You can listen to the CD in it's entirety here. And you'll need to listen to it before you enter to answer the question on the form.

In order to enter, you must:

1. Be at least 13 years of age.

2. Have a US address for shipping.

3. Contest Closed!

Contest ends on Halloween!

Music Review: Almost Alice

I mentioned this CD in my review for the movie Alice in Wonderland. Now, that I've listened to the album in it's entirety, I need to recommend it. There are a few tracks I'll be skipping, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth a listen.

1. Alice by Avril Lavigne: My favorite song on the album. I'm not a huge Avril Lavigne fan, but I do like much of her older stuff. This is the ending theme for the movie, the song that plays as credits roll. Music video is worth the watch, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZb8CnUzUOc

2. The Poison by The All-American Rejects: I like this song a lot. It starts off slow/acoustic, and by the end it has turned into a great rock tune. Great track!

3. The Technicolor Pase by Owl City: I really like Owl City. It's got a nice, happy beat, as most of their songs do. Another great track.

4. Her Name is Alice by Shinedown: This track is one of the heavier rock tracks. Shinedown is great, as always.

5. Painting Flowers by All Time Low: So far, this album is really great. This is the first song I've heard by All Time Low, but after this and a rec from a friend (thanks, Em), I'll definitely be checking out more.

6. Where's my Angel by Metro Station: This is the best song I've heard from them. Their first album was okay, but this song is definitely worth the listen.

7. Strange by Tokio Hotel and Kerli: An okay track. The previous ones were better, imo.

8. Follow me Down by 3OH!3 and Neon Hitch: Based on the beginning, I was concerned. But it turned out to be one of my favorites on the album. Sounds a little like something you'd dance to in a club.

9. Very Good Advice by Robert Smith: Not a bad song, but definitely not great, either. Has an unusual sound to it, that did add to the appeal. I'll probably skip over this one when it's in my CD player.

10. In Transit by Mark Hoppus and Pete Wentz: Has a great, almost eerie, beat. The piano was great in this song. Don't skip this one.

11. Welcome to Mystery by Plain White T's: In truth, I dislike previous songs by this group. But this song is fantastic. Less folksy than their radio hits.

12. Tea Party by Kerli: Another club song. Catchy, but not my favorite song.

13. The Lobster Quadrille by Franz Ferdinand: Another song I'll skip most of the time.

14. Always Running out of Time by Motion City Soundtrack: This song is great. It has a great beat. Nice rock tune.

15. Fell Down a Hole by Wolfmother: An okay track.

16. White Rabbit by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: Sadly, another track I'll probably skip.

17. Sea What We Seas by Never Shout Never: And another one to skip. Reminds me of a Queen song.

18. Topsy Turvy by Family Force 5: Great track. Has a great R&B sound.

19. Extreme by Valora: The CD ends on a high note. This song has a fun beat.

There are two exclusives available. Hot Topic (the one I have and includes songs 17-19 on the list above) and iTunes (which includes two extra tracks - one by They Might be Giants and the other from the actual soundtrack). If you get the chance, grab the Hot Topic one. The songs are worth it.

Music Review: SJ Tucker and Tricky Pixie

I recently discovered a wonderful musical artist.

SJ Tucker - folksy-pagan-faery stuff. It's really good. She has some music to be listened to as companions to THE ORPHAN TALES: IN THE NIGHT GARDEN and IN THE CITIES OF COIN AND SPICE and PALIMPSEST by Catherynne Valente (highly recommended author, btw). Her voice is amazing. In addition to those, her albums are: Haphazard, Tangles, Sirens, and Blessings. Blessings has some amazing pagan songs, and Sirens has the Wendy Trilogy.

Also, check out Tricky Pixie - pagan rock. They're really good. Some of the songs are kinda silly, but mostly good. And a few songs not for kids. The lead singer is SJ Tucker, and the other woman is Betsy Tinney (previously of Gaia Consort), which is how I originally heard of this group. Gaia Consort is one of my favorites. Anyway, you can listen to the entire album (and also purchase digitally) by clicking the link below.

http://www.trickypixie.com/music.php

I think tracks 3, 5, and 11 are my favorites. 2 and 6 are silly. 12 is hysterical.



Also, check out Gaia Consort. Their albums are Evolve, Secret Voices, Vitus Dance, and Gaia Circles, the last one being my favorite.