July Book BUZZ
Happy July ya’ll! It’s hotter than Hades down here in Texas, but we are braving the heat to watch fireworks. My family loves the beauty and the tradition of going to see the firworks every year, and I try to slip a little education in there about the meaning of the display. I truly appreciate living in a country where freedom of speech is guaranteed, and we can read and write what we choose. Happy birthday America!
Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release date: July 3, 2012
So we love Sarah Rees Brennan – if you follow her on twitter you know she is stinkin’ hilarious - and this book sounds like all kinds of fun (and funny). Here’s the gist: Mel lives in a town founded by vampires, but they live separately from each other. When a vampire shows up at her high school and her best friend starts falling for him, she takes it upon herself to save her friend from making ”… a mistake she might regret for all eternity!” Larbalestier wrote the mind-bending Liar, so she has some chops.
Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy) by Deborah Harkness
Publisher: Viking Adult
Release date: July 10, 2012
A fabulous follow-up to A Discovery of Witches! I am in love with this series, a great fantasy series for grown ups. Diana and Matthew are whisked back to 1590′s Elizabethan England, in a story full of history, romance, alchemy and adventure. Some name dropping too, as Matthew’s friends included some notable names. See my reviews for A Discovery of Witches, and Shadow of Night.
Alex Van Helsing: The Triumph of Death by Jason Henderson
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: July 24, 2012
I can’t help it – I’m a little in love with this kid Alex Van Helsing. He’s so sweet and clueless about girls – and he can ride a motorcycle and kick serious vampire patootie. Not to mention he joined the Polidorium, a secret organization of vampire-hunters, lives in Switzerland and attends a prep school by Lake Geneva. This series is fun and smart, and continues to be one I’d recommend to readers of all ages.
Endlessly (Paranormalcy Trilogy) by Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Evie is back! I can’t wait to finish this series and find out what happens. Evie has such a funny, wry voice and narrates with her heart on her sleeve. Lend, her shape-shifting boyfriend, has weathered ups and downs with her; I’m hoping he stays for a happily-ever-after ending. Although ex-boyfriend Reth is pretty charismatic and has me hooked. It wouldn’t be a good story without some romantic tension, would it?
Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 24, 2012
I was intrigued by the premise -”It’s World War III. The enemy is winning. What if the government’s secret weapon is you?” It reminded me of the Ender’s series by Orson Scott Card, which I highly enjoyed. Gamer kid Tom Raines is offered a chance to go to an elite military academy and become a high-tech soldier. As a poor kid, it’s everything he’s ever wanted, but at what cost? I have to find out! This is a debut novel that has already been optioned for the movies by Fox, and has the second installment coming out next year.
Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Elenor’s brother is missing, and zombies are rising all over Philadelphia. When a zombie delivers a letter from her brother, she must find the person controlling the zombies in order to rescue her brother. Of course, she finds some help along the way in the cute and irritating Daniel, one of the Spirit Hunters who protect the city from supernatural forces. Yep, anything with zombies and romance is a winner for me!!
So what are you looking forward to reading this month? Leave me your top picks in the comments below!
I love these updates you do! There are some great books coming out this summer. I never read past Paranormalcy, but did really enjoy the book.