Kippa Picks: All Things Different by Shawn Underhill Book Review

Late in the summer of 2005, starkly independent Jake Thornton was on the verge of turning 16, expecting little more than his driver’s license in the fall, and the continuance of the quiet life shared with his father. So when 14-almost-15 year old Sara moved in next door and began vying for his father’s attention, Jake wasn’t exactly thrilled, and couldn’t quite understand his father’s motives for allowing it. But certainly he never anticipated the dramatic shift their lives would take as a result. As the summer fades and autumn takes over, friendship between the two teenagers begins blossoming into a bond, until fate steps in once more, threatening to tear them apart as quickly as they’ve come together. The decisions that follow, and the emotive tale that results, opens Jake’s eyes to the simple yet life altering truth, a truth that Sara has understood all along: that love—not the feeling but the action—is the most powerful force in the world. -Amazon 

Review Copy Provided By The Author 

 All Things Different  by Shawn Underhill, is a novel that has surely taken me by surprise. I could never have predicted that I would be so emotionally connected to its characters, or that they would have experienced all that they did. All of these things came together for a fantastic reading experience.

All Things Different is the story of a sixteen year old named Jake, who's life with his father is knocked on its head when 14 going on 15 year old, Sara, moves in with her mom. Jake is, at first, challenged by Sara's presence, and how she has managed to sneak into his father's heart so quickly, but there is only a matter of time before she awakens his heart both to love and demons that no child should encounter.

I can't tell you how much this novel grabbed hold of my heart. Firstly, Shawn Underhill is a beautiful writer. The way he evokes Jake's relationships and how they grow through scenic descriptions of the land around him is beautiful. There were only some instances where I found passages to be overly descriptive, nevertheless, I have a weakness for beautiful description. This novel is told, mostly in Jake's POV, and it put me in mind of a host of iconic heroes like Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer, who longed for the peace of a lone raft in a lake.

In terms of Jake and Sara's relationship, Underhill practically coins the notion that less is more. Observing Jake open his heart to Sarah over the course of the novel is delicate, realistic, and organic.

Sara is a lovey character to experience as well. She is lively, and girly, as any young woman of this age, but she also carries with her a haunting maturity because of her experiences. Underhill effectively depicts Sara's more hesitant, vulnerable side so believably. There were moments that were uncomfortable to read, as Sara reveals her fears to Jake, and this is a testament of Underhill's talent of evoking emotion powerfully. I also enjoyed Jake's father, and his tender relationship with Sara and her mother. He's such a wonderful example of who a father should be.

Bare In Mind: All Things Different contains slight profanity, and disturbing scenarios (allusions to assualt).

All Things Different is such a delightful surprise. It's refreshing, and also heavy at times, but its depth will grab you. It will take you through a coming of age journey of love, healing, and growth.

I give All Things Different by Shawn Underhill 5 out of 5 mason jars of sweet tea under the shimmering night sky.

Spotted #3: Strand Bookstore- Union Square

Spotted is a Feature on Novel Days where I spotlight books which I discover whilst about town.

Atonement by Ian McEwan: ...is by far one of the most well written, yet saddest novels I've ever read. Till this day, I can't finish it, or watch the film...but the man is an awesome wordsmith.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion: I'm almost ashamed to call myself a writer while simultaneously admitting that I've never experienced the legend that is Joan Didion. I have heard that TYOMT is a great place to start with her, though. What do you guys think of her work?

The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami: For the record, I would read about a fry loving alien who oozes violet blood, and seeks after his true love named Gloria....if Murakami wrote it. I've read his novels and become absolutely enamored by him, but I've never experienced his short stories. It's time to give them a try.

House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski: Funny story about this novel. See, I'm into novels that are innovative, both in terms of writing, and aesthetic form. So, if your novel displays text all over the place, newspaper articles, photography, scripts, blank spaces, and everything else that makes freeform awesome, then there's a huge chance I will buy you on that alone. I did just that with this novel two years ago.  But, the story-line is so scary and mysterious, that I put it on a shelf in my closet that night...and never picked it up again. I've been told never to read it alone...and never at night. I'm not daring enough, ladies and gentlemen.

American Fantastic Tales edited by Peter Straub: At the Strand Bookstore, you can count on being introduced to a book that you would've never encountered otherwise. This is one of them, and I would love to read some fantastical tales from the past. 

The Beginners by Rebecca Wolff: I discovered this novel whilst sandwiched between two teeming stacks. You may never make it out, ladies and gents! At first, I was merely attracted to its cover, and simplicity of title. But a coming of age tale about a girl taken up with a new 'worldly' couple that moves into her town...mixing innocent infatuation with the film The Strangers. No one knows who, or what these new people are. I think I'm sold.

Sudden Rain by Maritta Wolff: I found this next to The Beginners, and I honestly loved the cover. I also love writers' infatuation with demystifying the American Dream. Though, I've never been a fan of anything set in the 70s for some reason.

Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende: I've always wanted to read Allende. I'm sure that this will be an amazing, surrealistic portrait of a young woman trying to figure out who she is. Perhaps, it's the Chilean Anastasia.

Le Petite Prince Moleskine Diary: (The first link is for the book, the second for the moleskine) Of course I had to mention one of my favorite stories of all time. Seeing this diary made me smile. Whilst visiting another bookshop favorite of mine, Books of Wonder, I found this sort of unabridged collectors edition, filled with drafts, and ponderings of Antoine De Saint-Exupery. Sounds like a dream to me, ladies and gents.

Thanks for reading, dearies! What books have caught your attention this week?

Crash by Nicole Williams Book Review

Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He's got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now. Jude's everything she knows she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. Staying away, she's about to find out, is the only thing she's incapable of. For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love's about to become the thing that tears them apart.

-Barnes & Noble

When I encountered Crash by Nicole Williams, I'll admit I was excited...but I believed that it would be your regular bad boy meets good girl story. While I was right in my assumption, I was also very surprised at its depth. Lucy is a young dancer with aspirations of attending Juilliard...loads of responsibility. Jude, on the other hand, is a well known delinquent who has no faith that he can override his past. When Lucy and Jude come together, their chemistry sizzles from the very beginning. I love when a novel can make me feel this very early on in the story! 

The aspect of Crash that I was surprised about were the happenings that connect both Lucy and Jude together. I did not expect that Jude and Lucy would have to deal with such series issues. Right from the start, Lucy encounters the darker side of his life in stride, but I did enjoy how Williams took them both through a series of trust tests. Lucy does not just fall into Jude's every whim. Jude was an enjoyable character to experience. I will admit that in the beginning to middle, I thought him a bit too self deprecating, however, as the story concluded, his sincerity becomes clear. It was heartbreaking that such a sweetheart could feel this way about himself, and I know that others will fall n love with Jude's sincerity.  I also enjoyed Jude and Lucy's journey towards healing and forgiveness.

The only thing I didn't connect with as much in Crash is that I found it a bit brash and raw. This novel is definitely for older readers (late teens and up). 

Bare in mind: Crash contains violence, profanity, and sensuality. 

Crash by Nicole Williams was quite a ride, with characters that definitely touched me in the end. I'm looking forward to its sequel, Clash! 

I give Crash by Nicole Williams 4 out of 5 cups of Irish Breakfast. 

PS: I'm sooo sorry that I have been MIA from Novel Days for the past few weeks. I've recently started a brand new job, and so I'm trying to acclimate to my new schedule, as well as prioritize now that my free time is a bit more limited. I'm also coming into the home stretch of the first draft for my New Adult novel...finally (after 5 years). I promise I haven't left! Please bare with me. Thank you all so much for your continued readership! Just think, this means more giveaways!

THE CRIMSON HUNT Cover Reveal!

I'm so excited to be a part of the celebration for Victoria H. Smith's debut New Adult novel, The Crimson Hunt! Just look at that cover, it's a real beauty. Looks like Ariel and Luca are sure to become one of the key couples in NA!

 

The Crimson Hunt (Eldaen Light Chronicles, #1) by: Victoria H. Smith 

Release Date: November 12, 2012 

Genre: New Adult Science Fiction Romance 

Book Description: 

College junior Ariel Richmond is working on year three of Project Normalcy. Her house reeks of keggers past and her bestie is just a slight bit vulgar. But the thing is—they both aid in making life refreshingly uneventful. So much for hard-earned mediocrity when Luca Grinaldi appears on the scene. Luca’s sudden presence on campus is hard to ignore. Those bright eyes act like a beacon to unsuspecting females, and with features like his, he’s got to be moonlighting for GQ. Luca hopelessly captivates Ariel with his confidence and charisma, but the mysteries surrounding him make him nearly untouchable. And just when Ariel grows close enough to unlock his secrets, a tragic event sends her life in a downward spiral. That steady life is no longer an option and allies quickly become scarce. The mysterious Luca seems to be the only one willing to help her—but with that trust comes the burden of his secrets. He has a dark mission of otherworldly proportions, and is willing to sacrifice as many lives as it takes to see it completed. Gone are the days of simply maintaining normalcy, and if Ariel isn’t cautious with her trust, so soon may be her future. 

Cover Image Designed by: Michelle Johnson
 
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About the Author: Victoria H. Smith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She puts it to good use writing romance all day. She resides in the Midwest with her Macbook on her lap and a cornfield to her right. She often draws inspiration for her stories from her own life experiences, and the twenty-something characters she writes give her an earful about it. In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, blogging, reading, and sending off a few tweets on Twitter when she can. She writes new adult fiction romance in the sub-genres of science fiction, urban fantasy, and contemporary, but really, anywhere her pen takes her she goes. 

 Victoria H. Smith Links:                                             

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I hope you're as excited as I am to pick up The Crimson Hunt on November 12th!