ROAD RASH: MARK HUNTLEY PARSONS

How does a book that so perfectly describes life on the road as a drummer in a band while at the same time stays innocent, sweet, and earnest? Seems like an impossible balance to maintain, but this book delivers just that. I just thought this was a delightful little book, especially if like me you enjoy a male POV and rock band boys. If you ever wanted to fall in love with the cute drummer in "that" band, here is your chance.

BOOK BLURB:
After being dropped from one band, sixteen-year-old drummer Zach gets a chance to go on tour with a much better band. It feels like sweet redemption, but this is one rocky road trip—filled with jealousy, rivalries, and on-stage meltdowns.

Mark Parsons has written a fast-paced, feel-good novel about a boy finding his place in the world, in a band, and in the music. Zach is a character teens will stand up and cheer for as he lands the perfect gig, and the perfect girl.

Read more about it HERE.

THE SCAR BOYS: LEN VLAHOS

Well written with a very strong voice, The Scar Boys is one of those books that isn't that easy to categorize as YA or adult. There should be a book genre called Adult Nostalgia. Because I can see adults enjoying this as much or more than an average teen since this takes place during the rise of Punk music.

Over the last while I have decided that I don't care for memoir books, but this felt like a really amazing memoir. It isn't full of manufactured emotions even though it could have felt that way with how dramatic this story is sometimes. It just felt real and honest and so observant of basic human behavior. This might be the most enjoyable time I have had being in the mind of a character that really hates himself, but doesn't really want to.

BOOK BLURB:

A severely burned teenager. A guitar. Punk rock. The chords of a rock 'n' roll road trip in a coming-of-age novel that is a must-read story about finding your place in the world...even if you carry scars inside and out.

In attempting to describe himself in his college application essay--help us to become acquainted with you beyond your courses, grades, and test scores--Harbinger (Harry) Jones goes way beyond the 250-word limit and gives a full account of his life.

The first defining moment: the day the neighborhood goons tied him to a tree during a lightning storm when he was 8 years old, and the tree was struck and caught fire. Harry was badly burned and has had to live with the physical and emotional scars, reactions from strangers, bullying, and loneliness that instantly became his everyday reality.

The second defining moment: the day in 8th grade when the handsome, charismatic Johnny rescued him from the bullies and then made the startling suggestion that they start a band together. Harry discovered that playing music transported him out of his nightmare of a world, and he finally had something that compelled people to look beyond his physical appearance. Harry's description of his life in his essay is both humorous and heart-wrenching. He had a steeper road to climb than the average kid, but he ends up learning something about personal power, friendship, first love, and how to fit in the world. While he's looking back at the moments that have shaped his life, most of this story takes place while Harry is in high school and the summer after he graduates.

Thanks to NetGalley for this read.

THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOU LIFE: LEILA SALES

I thought this author's first book was completely forgettable. In fact, I thought this was a debut book while I was reading it because I really didn't remember that I had read her first release. Good thing I have Goodreads to keep track of my books...

Anyway, I really liked a lot of things about this book. First off, I loved the really good music mentioned throughout the book and the list for readers at the end was extremely good. Good job Ms. Sales for exposing a few young kiddos to some actual good music, heaven knows they don't hear enough of it. Mostly though, good job for reminding me of some of the great music I have loved over the years. Our MC reminded me of what it felt like to love a great song. 

I had trouble reading this in the beginning (I didn't like the depressed, attention getting suicide attempt). But, as I got into this, I really loved the story. I especially loved our older, cooler, but obviously insecure love interest. What a way to shake things up with the boy characters. Most of all though, I loved the idea of being lost in music.

I did have one HUGE issue with the book, and I can't seem to get over it. In what world would a club promoter hire a 16 year old DJ to work in a club that you have to be 21 or older to get in? I was willing to go with the whole underground club idea, but when her first big DJ night is advertised in the local paper I just couldn't come to terms with it. There is no real world in which that would fly. So that bugged me, but I was willing to look past it and I recommend the read.

BOOK BLURB:

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

Read more about it HERE.

A LITTLE WANTING SONG: CATH CROWLEY

I could drown in this book. It is masterfully poetic without seeming like it is trying to hard. It celebrates the ties of  romance, friendship,  and family. If I made movies I would make a movie of this book. The characters are so alive and full. This is one of my favorite books of all time. I recommend, I recommend, I recommend!

BOOK BLURB:

A summer of friendship, romance, and songs in major chords. . .

CHARLIE DUSKIN loves music, and she knows she's good at it. But she only sings when she's alone, on the moonlit porch or in the back room at Old Gus's Secondhand Record and CD Store. Charlie's mom and grandmother have both died, and this summer she's visiting her grandpa in the country, surrounded by ghosts and grieving family, and serving burgers to the local kids at the milk bar. She's got her iPod, her guitar, and all her recording equipment, but she wants more: A friend. A dad who notices her. The chance to show Dave Robbie that she's not entirely unspectacular.

ROSE BUTLER lives next door to Charlie's grandfather and spends her days watching cars pass on the freeway and hanging out with her troublemaker boyfriend. She loves Luke but can't wait to leave their small country town. And she's figured out a way: she's won a scholarship to a science school in the city, and now she has to convince her parents to let her go. This is where Charlie comes in. Charlie, who lives in the city, and whom Rose has ignored for years. Charlie, who just might be Rose's ticket out.

Told in alternating voices and filled with music, friendship, and romance, Charlie and Rose's "little wanting song" is about the kind of longing that begins as a heavy ache but ultimately makes us feel hopeful and wonderfully alive.  

Read more about this HERE.

JOHNNY BE GOOD & BABY BE MINE BY PAIGE TOON

I have been going through a real British chick-lit phase these days. I don't know what it is about them, but I can't seem to get enough. I recently read and reviewed and LOVED Paige Toon's Chasing Daisy. I couldn't wait to read another one of her books, so I bought myself a copy of Johnny Be Good. And guess what? It doesn't have a real ending! I was totally furious until I realized that three years after Johnny Be Good came out there was a sequel, Baby Be Mine. And I tell you, I was so glad I didn't have to wait three years to see what happened next. (I did however, have to wait for the book to be shipped...which was torture!)

In my normal life, I never like the bad boys. However in books I love them, and Johnny Jefferson is the ultimate bad boy. I also love reading about relationships that I cheer for, even though I think maybe they shouldn't work out. That is why I enjoyed these two books more than Chasing Daisy. There is nothing more perfect in the summer than getting lost in a Paige Toon book, and you can quote me on that. :)

BOOK BLURB: (for Johnny Be Good)

If your boss was the hottest rock star on the planet, would you mix business with pleasure?

I'm Meg Stiles. This is my leaving party. And that song we're making a mockery of? That's written by one of the biggest rock stars in the world. And I'm moving in with him tomorrow.

Seriously! I am not even joking. Well, maybe I'm misleading you a little bit. You see, I haven't actually met him yet...

No, I'm not a stalker. I'm his new PA. His Personal Assistant. And I am off to La-La Land. Los Angeles. The City of Angels—whatever you want to call it—and I can't bloody believe it!

Celebrity PA to wild boy of rock Johnny Jefferson, Meg's glam new life in sun-drenched LA is a whirlwind of showbiz parties and backstage passes. Cool, calm Christian, in town to write his famous friend's biography, helps keep Meg's feet firmly on the ground. But with Johnny's piercing green eyes and a body Brad Pitt would kill for, how long will it be before she's swept right off them again?

As a note Toon has scattered use of foul language, but not a ton. She also does not write overly descriptive love scenes.Also reading about Baby Be Mine will give away a few plot points so read about that book with caution if you don't like spoilers.

Read more about Johnny Be Good HERE.

ZERO: TOM LEVEEN

This one took me awhile to get into because the writing style was a bit choppy for me. I am not sure if I got used to the author's flow or if the sassy breaks became less frequent. Either way I really got into this story. I totally love post HS graduation stories and I wish there were more of them, but it only makes this book more special. 

BOOK BLURB:

For aspiring artist Amanda Walsh, who only half-jokingly goes by the nickname Zero, the summer before college was supposed to be fun—plain and simple. Hanging out with her best friend Jenn, going to clubs, painting, and counting down the days until her escape. But when must-have scholarship money doesn't materialize, and she has a falling out with Jenn that can only be described as majorly awkward, and Zero's parents relationship goes from tense to relentless fighting, her prospects start looking as bleak and surreal as a painting by her idol Salvador Dali. Will life truly imitate art? Will her new, unexpected relationship with a punk skater boy who seems too good to be real and support from the unlikeliest of sources show Zero that she's so much more than a name.

The only reason this isn't a total 100% winner for me is because there were just some things that didn't jive with my personal values. However, as a character portrayal this book is right on and kept me wondering what choices Zero was going to make about her future. I really liked her and felt for her insecurities. Also I loved that the book followed the highs and lows of her romantic relationship. Overall a great read.

 

Read more about this new release HERE. 

I received an advanced eBook of this from NetGalley for a fair review. 

AMPLIFIED: TARA KELLY

This was my number one favorite read of 2011, and when you consider how many books I read last year that is one giant compliment for this book. When I originally reviewed it on goodreads I pleaded to Tara Kelly to "please never stop writing books". I re-read this today because I have been dying to revisit this story and I loved it yet again.

Kelly is a master at character voice. Her characters are authentic and so real it is startling. The first time I read this I felt like I was the main character Jasmine in a way that I have never experienced with any other book ever. Her highs were mine, as much her lows. It was especially impressive since I know so little about playing music and I was completely rocking out with the band. And man the sexual tension, suffice it to say it is a real treat. (But hey, what can I say? I love musicians.)

BOOK BLURB:
When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . .

In this fresh new novel by critically acclaimed author Tara Kelly, Jasmine finds out what happens when her life gets Amplified.

BTW, there is nothing overly vulgar (like swearing for no reason) about this book, but it does take place out of HS and there is plenty of rock star life style stuff going on. But, um...did I mention I loved this book?

Read more about my number one favorite book of 2011 HERE.