Recommended Read: Eleanor & Park

Title: Eleanor & Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Standing: Stand alone novel

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary/Romance

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: February 26, 2013

Source: My local library

Two misfits. One extraordinary love.
     Eleanor...Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.
     Park...He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.
     Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits - smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love - and just how hard it pulled you under. (See the book on Goodreads.)

Thoughts

Normally, I don't read a lot of YA contemporary romance. It's not that I've got anything against romance novels; it's just not my genre of choice. However, even though it's not the type of book I usually go for, genre-wise, I'd seen Eleanor & Park floating around the interwebz along with some positive hype (including the New York Times rave review by none other than John Green); so I picked it up at the library on a whim, and I am SO glad that I did.

In Which Interact Builds Libraries in Ghana

So, you may or may not remember this, but in my 2012 wrap-up post I hinted at a big project my Interact club was taking on. It was one that I presented to the club, and since I had all of the information, I was appointed chairperson (something I was very excited about). And now, yes, I'm finally going to tell you what we've been up to!

We hosted a book drive.

Silver Lining Sundays: Monday Edition

Yes, I am aware that it's Monday. And yes, I'm aware that this meme is called Silver Lining Sundays. But hey, what can I say? I'm a rebel.

Actually, no, I'm not...I just couldn't put up this post yesterday. But hey, better late than never, right? Basically, I had some great silver linings, and I didn't want to wait until next Sunday to share them. So, these are my silver linings this MONDAY!

Recommended Read: Code Name Verity

Title: Code Name Verity

Author: Elizabeth Wein

Standing: Stand alone novel

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Hyperion

Release Date: May 15, 2012

Source: My local library

     Oct. 11th, 1943 - A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

     When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

     As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

     A Michael L. Printz Award Honor book that was called "a fiendishly-plotted mind game of a novel" in The New York Times, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. ~Goodreads

Thoughts

If you know me, then you ought to know that I'm very fascinated by World War II. It was a tumultuous time of corruption and prejudice, barbarity and insanity...but against a cruel backdrop like war-torn Europe, any acts of heroism and goodness take on a much sharper contrast, and that's what I find most captivating about World War II: the way the best of humanity can shine through at even the worst of times. Code Name Verity is a book about that heroism and goodness.

Silver Lining Sundays: Brain Scoops & Book Drives

So, here's a little something I haven't done lately: Silver Lining Sundays! For those unfamiliar with the concept, Silver Lining Sundays are a meme I started last year on my blog where I make a list of recent silver linings in my life - basically, anything that makes me laugh, smile, or just plain happy. Back when I started it, I decided to do a Silver Linings post the first Sunday of every month; however, as I'm blogging less regularly now, I'm going to switch it up and say that any Sunday I feel like it I'll put up a post.

So, here are a few things making me happy this Sunday!