In My Mailbox 35

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren, inspired by Pop Culture Junkie

For Review:

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

The Candidates (Delcroix Academy #1) by Inara Scott

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Bought at Barnes and Nobles (whoa, that store is huge!):

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Thanks to Atoosa and Melanie for the review books! =)

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Book: Thirteen Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher

Release: October, 2007

Source: Borrowed

Summary:

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker -- his classmate and crush -- who committed suicide two weeks earlier. 

Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. 

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a first-hand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself -- a truth he never wanted to face. 

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why is the most heartbreaking novel I've read in awhile.

Admittedly, I avoided this story ever since it came out. But then a friend brought it one day for me to read, and I trust her judgement in books, so I gave it shot. And Thirteen Reasons Why blew my mind, tore my heart out, and patched it all together again.

The main character role, I would have to say, is split between the obvious choice Clay, and then Hannah. I feel like we got to know Hannah more, because she really is the main speaker throughout the story. Yet, I also feel like Clay is a solid character, but Hannah seems more prominent.

If you want to read a story that will take you through a whirlwind of emotions, then read Thirteen Reasons Why. 

Highlights: This book is like nothing I've ever read. It's emotional, and it left me with a heavy feeling once I was done (I can't even describe it past that, but it's a book that made an impression on me). This story is powerful, and I know I'll be looking forward to whatever Asher comes up with next. 

I also love how if  you take off the book jacket and look inside, it's a map (and it fits with the story). Definitely an interesting touch. 

Lowlights: I don't even know. Maybe some more depth to Clay?

Rating:   

Interview: Denise Jaden

Today I have Denise Jaden here to answer some questions about her debut novel, Losing Faith (out on September 7th, 2010).   

This interview is also a stop in her blog tour, so a comment here will gain you an entry into Denise's drawing for some grand prizes.

Make sure to check out Denise's blog for more info!

Quick! Describe Losing Faith in 7 words or less!

Sisters, loss, mystery, religion, friendship, romance, cult

Nice, you've already got me curious! How about a bit more of description?

Losing Faith is about sixteen year old Brie, the black sheep of her religious family, who loses her sister, Faith, in a tragic fall from a cliff. Through the process of mourning her sister, Brie discovers some of the details about Faith’s death just don’t line up.

What inspired you to write Losing Faith?

I lost a close friend when I was sixteen, and was surprised (and heartbroken) to learn so much more about my friend after she passed. I think this was the seed that started Losing Faith.

What makes your main character, Brie, unique?

She doesn’t recognize so many of her strengths. She’s smart and funny and resourceful, but only in the midst of tragedy does she really start to see any of this.

If you could spend the day as any character in any story, what character and story would you choose?

I’d love to spend the day as Kate Malone from Laurie Halse Anderson’s Catalyst. She’s smart in so many ways I am not, plus she’s organized and uber-clean and also a runner. I’m sure my life would be much better (and more tidy) from spending a day as her!

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on another YA contemporary called Perfect Aim. It’s about a teen archer who shoots way off target when trying to reunite her squabbling family, and instead instigates family war. In the midst of this, she also falls in with the wrong crowd and starts to fall for the wrong guy. I’m still in the early stages of this one, but those are some of the basic themes.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Just that I really hope you enjoy Losing Faith. I know reading is subjective and it won’t be for everyone, but I really hope my writing will find an audience out there that will really enjoy it.

Thanks for stopping by, Denise!

Don't forget to drop by Denise's blog, and remember that Losing Faith comes out on the 7th! :)