The Order of the Poison Oak (Review)

Title: The Order of the Poison Oak

Author(s): Brent Hartinger

Edition: Paperback, 211 pages

Publisher: HarperTempest
Publication Date: February 1, 2006

Source: Borrowed from library

Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

The Summary

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Summer camp is different from high school. Something about spending the night. Things happen.

Geography Club's Russel Middlebrook is back, and he and his friends are off to work as counselors at a summer camp. Brent Hartinger's second novel in the series is the story of Indian legends, skinny-dipping in moonlit coves, and passionate summer romance. It's also the story of Russel's latest club, the Order of the Poison Oak, a secret society dedicated to helping its members see life's hidden beauty and accept its sometimes painful sting.

(Goodreads)

My Opinion

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The Order of the Poison Oak is the second book in the Russel Middlebrook series by Brent Harbringer, and it takes place the summer after Russel starts "Geography Club" and comes out to his school as gay. You can imagine that he may want to get away for awhile. Luckily his best friend Gunner goes to volunteer at a summer camp and he convinces Russel, and their other friend Min, to tag along. Little do they realize that this is a camp for burn victims, and they're whole perspective on life changes.

As with all of Brent Harbringer books, characters are what drive the story. Told from Russel's point of view, we follow the events of the summer through his eyes. What I like most about Harbringer's characters are the authenticity they have. Russel, Min, and Gunner all bring a different aspect to the experience their in and the relationships that develop. Russel is such an interesting character to follow, as he is still trying to come to terms with his sexuality when it comes to others. Being a teenager is confusing enough, but having to deal with thae added baggage society puts on you if you're gay is so much more.

There's some fights that Russel, Min, and Gunner have to go through over the course of camp which threaten their friendship. But I think, just like any other great friendship, they come out stronger on the other side because of the fights. Creating strong personal confidence and a strong relationship, this particular threesome is an example of the awesome characterization that is my book crack.

Another great aspect to this story is the juxtaposition that Hartinger adds in the relationship between Russel and his campers. Both belong to groups that are often ostracized for their differences. By placing them in this neutral camp environment, they become equals and are isolated from the outside world. I think this allows personal growth, which strengthens each character to be able to face the outside world with more courage. Hartinger does this so well that the reader often forgets that the camp is a camp for burn victims, as it should be considering the campers are people, not victims.

As with Geography Club, I really liked The Order of the Poison Oak. It has a strong message, and two great GLBT characters in the form of Russel and Min. A great addition to any collection, and a great read for the summer!

Extras
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Other Covers
(I don't know which I like the best...)

Final Rating

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Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 4/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
Overall: 42/50: B

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Friday Covers (12)

In this addition of Friday Covers let's look at one of my favorite book series, Heist Society by Ally Carter!  Each cover is so great, and flows into each other perfectly! 

Ally just realsed the cover for the thid book, Perfect Scoundrel, this week, and I have it down below for you to see!

This is such an amazing series, full of romance, intelligence, oh and theft!  But it's all for a good cause, I promise!  If you liked the movie Ocean's 11, then you'll fall in love with Katerina Bishop and her crew!

Heist Society (Book 1)

 Uncommon Criminals (Book 2)

Perfect Scoundrels (Book 3)

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Trailer Thursday (21)

Today I'm bringing you three trailers from some of my favorite books I've read in 2012 so far!  I hope you check them out because they are fantastic!

Once a Witch
by Carolyn MacCullough
Published Date: September 14, 2009

The Last Princess
by Galaxy Craze
Published Date: May 1, 2012

Chopsticks
by Jessica Anthony & Rodrigo Corral
Published Date: February 2, 2012

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The Difference Between You and Me (Review)

Title: The Difference Between You & Me
Author(s): Madeleine George
Edition: Hardcover, 261 pages
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Publication Date: March 15, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Library
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

The Summary

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Jesse cuts her own hair with a Swiss Army knife. She wears big green fisherman's boots. She's the founding (and only) member of NOLAW, the National Organization to Liberate All Weirdos. Emily wears sweaters with faux pearl buttons. She's vice president of the student council. She has a boyfriend.

These two girls have nothing in common, except the passionate "private time" they share every Tuesday afternoon. Jesse wishes their relationship could be out in the open, but Emily feels she has too much to lose. When they find themselves on opposite sides of a heated school conflict, they each have to decide what's more important: what you believe in, or the one you love?

(Goodreads)

My Opinion

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I am an advocate for LGBT literature of all kinds, but especially within the young adult realm.  During this time, teens are trying to figure out who they are, and not having such a huge part of the population represented is doing a disservice and promoting discrimination.  Each teen should be able to find a reflection of themselves within the books that they read, and that's why The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George is so fantastic!

The book follows the story of two girls; Jesse is the outcasts who acts out to try and make a statement.  Emily is the popular girl working to be the perfect future business woman of America.  They couldn't be more different, but they secretly meet every Tuesday for a hot and heavy make-out session.  But they never acknowledge each other at school.  This "relationship" changes over the course of the book into something neither girl saw coming.

I'm going to say it out right, there aren't many lesbian YA books out there.  This is sad considering that even within a minority certain groups are another minority.  But George does an amazing job brining this story, and these characters, to life.  Jesse and Emily are good examples of queer (which I'm using instead of lesbian, as Emily never identifies) characters without being cliches.  Each is dynamic and round, creating a whole person rather than a stereotype.

These two girls are going through a difficult period, both sexually and mentally. Trying to identify who you are, what your values are, and how best to live your life is hard enough for adults, let alone teenagers. George does an excellent job juxtaposing Jesse and Emily, which highlights this struggle. Jesse knows who she is sexually; she knows she is attracted to females, but she isn't sure what her true values are. Emily is confident in what she stands for; she sees opportunity and takes it, but can't decide if her feelings are for males, females, or both. Esther, a secondary character, acts as a tandem between the two, and gives the reader a solid foundation to grasp.

While the character interaction is what makes the story sing, I thought the most interesting part of the book was the writing.  There are 3 point of views the story is told from: Jesse, Emily, and Esther, a girl who befriends Jesse at the beginning of the book. Emily's and Esther's chapters are told in 1st person, while Jesse's chapters are told in 3rd person.  Now you may think that odd considering Jesse is the antagonist of the book.  But after my intial surprise, I actually came to appreciate the difference.  I think that George uses the 3rd person to distance Jesse for the reader, so we may experience her whole change, and the 1st person is used for Emily and Esther because they don't change.  Being able to see the whole change helps the reader relate.

Overall, I really loved the book.  It was really thought provoking, both politically and emotionally.  The writing was crisp and original, often making me laugh, and I really liked all the characters.  Madeleine George did an excellent job crafting an authentic story in The Difference Between You and Me, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!

Extras

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Other Books by Madeleine

Title: Looks

Publication: June 12, 2008

Final Rating

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Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 4/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 43/50: B

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Nearly New Books For You Giveaway!

I got the idea for this feature from Kathy @ I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.  I too love to receive books in the mail, and to buy the books I want to read, then I hoard them!  Muhahahah...uh hem. And while I might not get rid of as many books as I read (I re-read them all the time), there are some books that don't have a place on my shelves.  I figure giving them away would be nice!  This won't be a feature all the time, but it'll pop up now and then.

So without further ado, here's the books I have to giveaway!

Girl Meets Boy

edited by Kelly Milner Halls

(ARC)

OR

The Letter Q

edited by Sarah Moon

(ARC)

 Click on the titles to read more about each.

To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter below!  Easy Peasy!

There will be ONE winner who can choose ONE of the ARCS!

Please remember this is U.S. ONLY!

The giveaway runs from June 28th to July 5th, ending at midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Waiting on Wednesday (44)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Perfect Soundrels

by Ally Carter

Publication Date: February 5, 2013

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Kat is a girl who is used to getting—or stealing—everything she wants. But telling the truth to the boy she likes? Now that's a cat of a different color.  

When Kat's on-again off-again boyfriend, Hale, suddenly inherits his family's billion dollar company, Kat gets a tip-off that the will is a fake. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, how can she tell Hale that he might be living a lie?

Critics and fans alike have fallen for Heist Society (no conning necessary). With more mystery, non-stop action, romance and humor, this third novel in the hit series is just as irresistible.

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I love this series so very much, and I am so excited that Ally Carter wrote a third book! Kat is my favorite heroine! She is so kick-ass, and so smart that she blows me away in each book. The heists in the books are always so intricate I can never see everything coming, and they hook me in just like my favorite movie, Ocean's 11! The only thing that sucks is that it isn't coming out until 2013!!! I cannot wait!!!

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Teaser Tuesday (44)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following!

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
• Share a few teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• MAKE SURE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (you don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for other readers)

Share the title and author too, so that other readers can add your book to their TBR list if they like your teaser!

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Shadow and Bone 
by Leigh Bardugo

Publication Date: June 5, 2012

         "No fainting in the middle of the road," said a voice close to my ear as a heavy arm landed across my shoulder and gave me a squeeze. I looked up to see Mal's familiar face, a smile in his bright blue eyes as he fell into step beside me. "C'mon," he said. "One foot in front of the other. You know how it's done."        

(Pg. 73)

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I am slowly working on my summer TBR list, and this is the 2nd book on it!  Shadow and Bone looks amazing!  I really like Russian culture, and Ravka, the main country in the book, looks to have similar cultural traits, so that's cool.  Of course, finding out all about the Grisha and what their purpose is will be cool too.  I can't wait to find out what happens to Mal and Alina through out the book, especially when Alina figures out she's more than what she thinks!

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Past. Present. Future. (7)

There are a a lot of these "What're you reading?" features around, so I figured, hey why not start one too? Basically, here's where I highlight the books I've read, the books I'm reading, and the books I'm going to read. Fun, right? Please join in if you want!

PAST:

Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson - A really great supernatural realism book!  Definitely for the older crowd as there is quite a bit of violence and sexiness.  The story is really fast-paced, and there were surprises around every corner; a recommendation for anyone looking for a good wizard book!






PRESENT:

The Selection by Kiera Cass - One of my most anticipated books of 2012, and I'm finally reading it!  I'm loving the story so far, and I hope it continues to be as good as it is!  I'm loving America (the main character) so far, and I can't wait until she gets to the palace.







FUTURE:

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - Ooooh this book is on top of my 2012 debut list!  Sounds like an awesome mystery/supernatural story, it takes place in a kingdom similar to Russia!  I love Russia, so yay!  I want to know how this Shadow Fold came to be, how Alina uses her power, and who the heck is the Darkling (or maybe what...?)!  I'm really excited to dive in!

If any of you have read any of these books, let me know what you thought (but NO spoilers) down below in the comments!

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Recommend A... (6)

Welcome to the first installment of "Recommend A...", a fun new meme created by Shanyn over at Chick Loves Lit. Shanyn will post a new prompt each week, and anyone interested in participating will post a book recommendation that follows the prompt. A different way to get recommendations!

This week's prompt is: Recommend a Book You Thought was Funny!

I love humor in ALL the books I read.  Straight up humor, poignant commentaries, quips and quibs, all types!  Today, I bring you two books!  Both can be enjoyed by males and females, but they may speak to one or the other.  I hope you enjoy!

Babe in Boyland

By Jody Gehrman

When high school junior Natalie-or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper-is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected-especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

Spanking Shakespeare

By Jake Wizner

Shakespeare Shapiro has always hated his name. His parents bestowed it on him as some kind of sick joke when he was born, and his life has gone downhill from there, one embarrassing incident after another. Entering his senior year of high school, Shakespeare has never had a girlfriend, his younger brother is cooler than he is, and his best friend's favorite topic of conversation is his bowel movements. 

But Shakespeare will have the last laugh. He is chronicling every mortifying detail in his memoir, the writing project each senior at Shakespeare's high school must complete. And he is doing it brilliantly. And, just maybe, a prize-winning memoir will bring him respect, admiration, and a girlfriend . . . or at least a prom date.

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Poetry Sunday (15)

This is a fabulous blog feature here at Eli to the nth!  Poetry is one of my passions, but I often don't have an opportunity to share that passion.  This feature gives me the perfect opportunity to do so!  Thanks to Genna from Reading, Writing, and the World of Words, who created this awesome feature and gave me the permission to host it here, as well as, use her graphic!

Today I bring you a special edition of Poetry Sunday!  Two of my very good friends just got married yesterday, June 23, 2012, and I was lucky enough to be a part of the ceremony!  After 7 years together, it was finally time to take the big step, and it was a gorgeous day.  I'm so very happy for both of them, and this is the poem I read to them as part of my speech!

The First Marriage
by Peter Meinke

for Gretchen and Herb: June 15, 1991

imagine the very first marriage a girl
and boy trembling with some inchoate
need for ceremony a desire for witness:
inventing formality like a wheel or a hoe

in a lost language in a clearing too far from here
a prophet or a prophetess intoned to the lovers
who knelt with their hearts cresting
like the unnamed ocean thinking This is true

thinking they will never be alone again
though planets slip their tracks and fish
desert the sea repeating those magic sounds
meaning I do on this stone below
this tree before these friends yes in body
and word my darkdream my sunsong yes I do I do

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In My Mailbox (45)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by one of her friends, Alea of Pop Culture Junkie, where we get to post about the books we receive each week through publishers/authors, our own purchases, contests won, and libraries.

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I hope you guys all had a great book week!

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Trailer Thursday (20)

Today I'm bringing you two trailers; one is young adult and one is middle grade, but both are awesome!

Tiger Lily

by Jodi Lynne Anderson

Release Date: July 3, 2012

Dear Know It All

by Rachel Wise

Book 1 and Book 2

Release Date: July 24, 2012

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Never Eighteen (Review)

Title: Never Eighteen
Author(s): Megan Bostic
Edition: Paperback, 204 pages
Publisher: Graphia Books
Publication Date: January 17, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Library
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

The Summary

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I had the dream again. The one where I’m running. I don’t know what from or where to, but I’m scared, terrified really.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. But in the short time he has left there’s one thing he can do: He can try to help the people he loves live—even though he never will.

It’s probably hopeless.

But he has to try.

(Goodreads)

My Opinion

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Megan Bostic manages to pack a punch in a short book with Never Eighteen. An honest, heart-wrenching debut, this book is in the same league as If I Stay by Gayle Forman and Deadline by Chris Crutcher.

Austin is the protagonist of the book, and he is dealing with the reality of mortality.  Along with his best friend, and love of his life, Kaylee, he goes on a journey to help the people he loves and the people he's wronged.  At 204 pages, Bostic makes an incredible impact with the story of Austin's last days.

The writing is what makes the book sing.  Full of richness, riding along on this is both inspirational and horrible.  I was left aching at the end for the bravery Austin has in the face of death.  With every line, Bostic is able to convey the contradictions of life, using humor and sorrow interchangeably.  In some scenes the detail is a little overwhelming, but the pace moves quickly, making that one issue not a huge deal.

While I really like Austin, my favorite character is Kaylee.  She goes on this journey with Austin, even though she knows the end result.  Kaylee is a relatable character for the reader, as you can understand her need to protect Austin and their friendship, going so far as to deny her true feelings.  While she isn't in every scene in the book, when she is, the love she feels for Austin and the hate she feels for the situation is palpable.

An amazing book, Never Eighteen is sure to leave you in tears, so grab some tissue!  Not to be missed, this one will be etched into your heart well after you're done reading.

Extras

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Book Trailer

Final Rating

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Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 5/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 46/50: A-

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Waiting on Wednesday (43)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone

by Kat Rosenfield

Publication Date: July 5, 2012

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An arresting un-coming-of-age story, from a breathtaking talent

Becca has always longed to break free from her small, backwater hometown. But the discovery of an unidentified dead girl on the side of a dirt road sends the town--and Becca--into a tailspin. Unable to make sense of the violence of the outside world creeping into her backyard, Becca finds herself retreating inward, paralyzed from moving forward for the first time in her life. 

Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson's life are intercut with Becca's own summer as the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and relationships on the edge twist the reader closer and closer to the truth about Amelia's death.

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This just sounds like a fantastic book.  I like the idea of exploring a character who retreats into herself.  this juxtaposes nicely with the assumed insular world Becca lives in.  I usually don't go for murder books, but this is too intriguing to pass up.  And that cover is great, making me want to read it even more!

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Teaser Tuesday (43)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following!

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
• Share a few teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• MAKE SURE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (you don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for other readers)

Share the title and author too, so that other readers can add your book to their TBR list if they like your teaser!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Royal Street 
by Suzanne Johnson

Publication Date: April 10, 2012

         I sent out my empathetic senses, trying to feel any buzz of magic coming from him. There was still a tingle in the air that wasn't wizard's magic, but it was probably left over from Jean Lafitte. So he wasn't a wizard, and he din't look old enough to be an Elder. I studied the badge, flipping it over. The back of mine identified me as a licensed sentinel. His read, simply, ENFORCER.
         Good Lord, he was a terminator

(Pg. 73)

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This is a book that fits into the genre of "New Adult", as it is skewed a little older than Young Adult.  The inclusion of the terrible results of Hurricane Katrina really makes the book resonate.  Using real news reports at the beginning of each chapter gives the story a grounding that is necessary with the supernatural things happening.  DJ is a great protagonist, and the mythology within the book is really fresh, and enjoyable.  Loving the book so far!

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Top Ten Tuesday (22)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

The topic this week is: Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List!

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Past. Present. Future. (6)

There are a a lot of these "What're you reading?" features around, so I figured, hey why not start one too? Basically, here's where I highlight the books I've read, the books I'm reading, and the books I'm going to read. Fun, right? Please join in if you want!


PAST:

None!  I haven't had a chance to read anything new to make my old Present book a Past book! 

PRESENT:

Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson - I'm really liking it so far. I'm only 25 pages in so I haven't gotten to the meat of the story. But I'm interested to read how Hurricane Katrina plays a part in ripping the veil between our world and the supernatural apart. Also there's a sexy pirate, which I'm always good with!






FUTURE:

The Selection by Kiera Cass - I am finally going to get a chance to read this book! Ever since I saw this last year, I've wanted to get my grubby mitts on it! A gorgeous cover and an interesting story makes this book a "I can't wait to read you" contender!

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Recommend A... (5)

Welcome to the first installment of "Recommend A...", a fun new meme created by Shanyn over at Chick Loves Lit. Shanyn will post a new prompt each week, and anyone interested in participating will post a book recommendation that follows the prompt. A different way to get recommendations!

This week's prompt is: Recommend a Book that Made You Emotional!

This is such an overwhelming category; pretty much any contemporary book makes me emotional!  But I'm going with the book that made me cry a whole lot!

The Fault in Our Stars

By John Green

Published January 10, 2012

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind. 

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