A group of three books cover images that I like the most from the titles to be released in the current month. Usually I already pre-ordered the titles or own them. I named the section like I did because I like thinking about these covers like they are something that its meant to look.

*Eye Candy: visual images that are pleasant to see.

If you leave a comment on each January entry where Incarnate or Class of 2k12 are featured, you will be automatically participating to win an Incarnate ARC and a bookmark.

A group of three books cover images that I like the most from the titles to be released in the current month. Usually I already pre-ordered the titles or own them. I named the section like I did because I like thinking about these covers like they are something that its meant to look.

*Eye Candy: visual images that are pleasant to see.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 12, 2010

Author Web Page:

Amy, a sixteen-year-old recovering from an abusive relationship, moves to the country to start a new life with her aunt–all she wants is for everything to be different. In the clearing at the back of Aunt Mae’s property, she makes an amazing discovery Henry, a boy stuck in the endless summer of 1944. Henry and his world become Amy’s refuge and she begins to learn that some moments are worth savoring. But when the past and present come crashing together, both of them must find the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.

If I could describe The Clearing with just one phrase it would be: A Huge Disappointment. The Clearing narrates the story of Amy and Henry in their respective POV. Amy just moved to a small town with her aunt after going through a dysfunctional relationship while Henry has been living an endless summer for 66 years. Even though the novel is well written there are certain aspects that are worked in a very simplistic way for my taste, and I explain:

*Disclaimer: There could be some spoilers.

Character’s Voices: Jumping POVs between Amy and Henry was not very distinctive as a reader I couldn’t find that unique element which defines each character’s voices.

Amy’s Conflict: Amy’s strife to end the vicious cycle she was involved with her ex boyfriend was not so credible: she was “afraid” of spending time with Jackson, but on the other hand, she was not afraid going to inhabited clearings at random hours to meet some unknown boy. This is one of the aspects that ruined the story for me considering Jackson is one of the best characters in the story and it was sad seeing how Amy took him for granted to the point of ruining special occasions without thinking about Jackson feelings. It’s even funnier that Jackson was always willing to come back for more rejection.

Time Traveling and World Building: Time Traveling characteristics of the story are a mystery for me and though I admire Davis originality in such aspect, I would have liked more elaboration on the matter. Not having Henry’s family noticing they’ve been living the same day for 66 years makes it a very superficially elaborated idea without any deep element.

My favorite characters are Jackson and Mae. Both have the spark of being those who love unconditionally. The most meaningful part for me is when Henry understands that he needed to move FW for good or worse. Sadly, even though the end is cute, it was a little hard to believe. I could not understand how just one unmeaning action in the past could change Amy’s life, her story “future” present 180 degrees. The end seems drastic but it appears to be open to possibilities  for a second. If The Clearing would have been developed in its full potential, it would have been a hit for me sadly it wasn’t.

Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: May, 2009

Author Web Page:

Abby’s senior year of high school is going according to plan: good friends, cute boyfriend, and college applications in the mail. But when Dante Alexander, foreign-exchange student from Italy, steps into her life, he turns it upside down. He’s mysterious, and interesting, and unlike anyone she’s ever met before. Abby can’t deny the growing attraction she feels for him. Nor can she deny the unusual things that seem to happen when Dante is around. Soon Abby finds herself drawn into a mystery whose roots reach into sixteenth-century Florence, and she uncovers a dangerous truth that threatens not only her future but the lives of those she loves.

When I read the synopsis of this book I just knew that I wanted to have it. The premise sounds unique and captivating. After reading the story I knew for sure that it is all of this and more. I would say that aside the pretty well done romantic story, I was hooked by the major theme of the story: “time traveling”. The way the author manages to create the world in present time with the complicated themes that surrounded the story is just exquisite. The mayor compliments I can give to Mangum is how she introduces a real historical character that is “part” of the story without carrying away the main story itself. All the rules related to spiritual themes are magnificent. I liked Abby as a character. She is one those characters that is simply genuine. The way the story is related between the characters is surprisingly good and interesting. The ending was just like: “I want the sequel NOW”. The Hourglass Door is a story with an unique premise that has something about everything: romance, time traveling and spiritual themes. The Hourglass Door is the first of a three book series.

Prada and Prejudice is a cute, sweet and funny read. Callie, the main character is a girl you can really identify with. Her “time travel” experience is so funny. The writing style is nice and the author’s 19^th century descriptions of period are very well done, my favorite was the descriptions of the dance balls. I have two complaints about the story in general; there’s no explanation for Callie “time travel” experience and I use quotation marks because the reader never knows for sure if it was a time travel experience or a dream. That left me not disliking the ending but not loving it either.

questions.

This book can be used by teachers to show 19th century references in a fun concept. It could be baneful to drive dynamics about stereotypes, group cliques at certain ages and the ways each youngster battles for self searching.