The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Thirteen year old Kyra Carlson resides with her family in a polygamist community. She loves her family unconditionally and has never questioned the fact that she has “three” mothers and 20 brothers and sisters with two more on the way. Although her sect is set with their strict way of living - Kyra has found a way of slipping out to visit the Mobile Library on Wheels where she reads forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself - instead of having a man chosen for her. But all in all, she is respectful and listens to her father and the Prophet Childs.

But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle - who already has six wives - Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.

This was such a powerful and intense story. It’s based on a subject that, although very real, it’s something that never really crosses my mind. To actually read about these religious sects - their beliefs, the lives they choose to live, etc., just blows my mind. I actually opened this book and did not put it down until I was done with it. It definitely piqued my interest from the first sentence. Kyra was such a strong and determined character. I loved that reading was such a big part in the story as well as the book-mobile.

I can definitely see where the story might be considered controversial, especially when reading about the life that Kyra has been brought up in. But I recommend that you try to overcome this, since this is a story that will leave you astounded and hopeful that Kyra can overcome her fears and do what must be done.

It was powerful, intense, surprisingly action-packed, but most of all, an unforgettable tale.

What are you Reading on Mondays? (Week 9/07/09)

For everyone else's responses, please visit J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog. What am I reading this week?

Last week I read the following:

- Going Too Far - Jennifer Echols [review]
- Tombstone Tea - Joanne Dahme [review]
- Olive Kitteridge - Elizabeth Strout
- Luv Ya Bunches - Lauren Myracle [review]
- Hex in Heels - Linda Wisdom [review]
- Vampire Diaries: The Awakening - L.J. Smith [review]
- Legacy - Cayla Kluver

I reviewed the following:
- Labor Day - Joyce Maynard [review/giveaway]
- Dancing with Ana - Nicole Barker [review]
- Fragment - Warren Fahy [review]
- Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater [review]
- Rose House - Tina Ann Forkner [review]

What are you reading this week?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Grace has been infatuated with the wolves that reside in the woods around her home for years. Even after a mauling it never deterred her feelings for them. On the other hand, she became even more intrigued by them... but especially “her wolf” - the one with the golden eyes.

Sam leads a double life. In the winter he’s all fur and lives amongst the members of his pack - but never once forgets the girl who silently watches him. When the weather warms up he gets a few months where he becomes human.

But when Grace stumbles upon a wounded boy with golden eyes... she is taken back by all the similarities. Could it possibly be her wolf? As winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human - or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

This is one I’ve been gushing to everyone I know and recommending that they get a copy stat. I fell in love with this book. Ms. Stiefvater’s writing is just so beautiful and the cover art (which she drew herself) is stunning. Grace and Sam’s love story is one that I would put up there with Edward & Bella; Sookie & Bill Eric. It definitely gave me goose bumps and sent butterflies scurrying about in my stomach.

I loved that each chapter started with the temperature... it definitely made you feel tense as the temperature dropped. I was on edge the whole time - wondering what would happen? Would Grace lose Sam - would he forget their time shared together once he changed back? All in all, it was wonderful. The pace was perfect and the characters were unforgettable.

This story has it all -- sci-fi, mystery, coming-of-age, the ups and downs of friendship, and of course -- romance. READ IT!

Fragment by Warren Fahy

The ocean exploration reality show, SeaLife, is lacking in ratings. And when a distress call is received from a remote island, they think this might be their break in boosting up their fast-declining ratings. Henders Island is surrounded by a 700 foot cliff wall and its location is so remote that it has remained isolated for hundreds of millions of years. Due its circumstances - Henders Island has its own ecosystem - creating life which to us would seem alien in nature. When the SeaLife cast docks in Henders and are attacked and killed by the resident species - it is believed to be a hoax... but the President, military and scientists have quite a dilemma in their hands.

Although a bit reminiscent of Jurassic Park - I got sucked in by this book right from the first chapter. I will forewarn that there is quite a bit of scientific lingo in this book - that I will never fully grasp much less ever pronuunce correctly. But with that said, I loved this story. It was so interesting. I loved the description of the creatures living on this island. The drawings of these critters and the dissection chapters were amazingly descriptive. The characters were witty, clever and, considering their scary circumstances, funny. This was well-written and ,although a bit unrealistic, it was quite the edge of your seat read.

Full of adventure, drama and a lot of deadly situations, this is one sci-fi thriller I can definitely be seen made into a movie. You sci-fi, Michael Crichton-esque lovers will find a gem in this one.

Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker

Beth and her BFF’s - Rachel, Melanie and Jenny - make a pact to lose weight.. Nothing to drastic, just a couple of pounds. But what starts off as a goal of "a couple of pounds" quickly spins out of control leading Beth down a road that can be quite hazardous to her health.

The characters in this book were very real. The mind frame is definitely that of a teenaged girl. Their conversations and scenarios were exactly what you would encounter in any high school. I found it interesting that although on the outside Beth seemed like your average teenage girl (she has wonderful friends, a fantastic body, and her cute neighbor boy who likes her), yet there was so much turmoil going on inside her. It touched on a subject that affects a lot of today’s youth - anorexia. I think parents should definitely read this and have their young teen/tween daughters read this as well, especially if they are facing an eating disorder.

I enjoyed this quick read (only 170 pages) very much. Ms. Barker’s writing is simple and neat. Her characters are very realistic and likeable. It really makes you wonder about the pressures teens face today. This is definitely worth reading.

Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

With the end of summer closing in and a steamy Labor Day weekend looming in the town of Holton Mills, New Hampshire, thirteen-year-old Henry - lonely, friendless, not too good at sports - spends most of his time watching television, reading, and daydreaming about the soft skin and budding bodies of his female classmates. For company Henry has his long-divorced mother, Adele - a onetime dancer whose summer project was to teach him how to foxtrot; his hamster, Joe, and awkward Saturday-night outings to Friendly's with his estranged father and new step-family. As much as he tries, Henry knows that even with his jokes and his "Husband for a Day" coupon, he still can't make his emotionally fragile mother happy. Adele has a secret that makes it hard for her to leave their house, and seems to possess an irreparably broken heart.

But all that changes on the Thursday before Labor Day, when a mysterious bleeding man named Frank approaches Henry and asks for a hand. Over the next five days, Henry will learn some of life's most valuable lessons: how to throw a baseball, the secret to perfect piecrust, the breathless pain of jealousy, the power of betrayal, and the importance of putting others - especially those we love - above ourselves. And the knowledge that real love is worth waiting for. (taken from back cover of book)

This book was so beautiful. I hope I can do it the justice it deserves in explaining how wonderful and how highly recommended this book comes from me.

Henry is much more mature than your average 13 year old boy, but at the same time he is innocent and naive. Frank and Adele are both tortured souls, but it was inspiring to read about the relationship they forge in the six days most of the story takes place within. I really enjoyed the way these characters unraveled by slow increments giving you small glimpses into what shaped them into who they are today.

Maynard's prose was beautiful - the simplicity of it was just perfect. She also does a fantastic job in capturing all the emotions that run amok through a 13 year old’s mind.

There were moments that had me unexpectedly tightening my throat or the watering of my eyes. This is a coming-of-age story, a love story and a family drama all wrapped up into one beautifully wrapped package titled Labor Day. These are characters you won’t quickly forget, and this weekend that they spend together and the way it changes all of them, will change you just by having read it.

GIVEAWAY: And because I ♥ this so much - I will gladly give away my gently read ARC copy - to spread the love. Like I said, I can't recommend this highly enough. Just leave a comment and make sure to leave an email address. Open internationally. Winner will be chosen 9/11/09.