Book Review: The Summer I Got a Life by Mark Fink

The Summer I Got a Life by Mark Fink
Publisher: WestSide Books
Publication date: November 2009
ISBN: 9781934813126
Source: ARC provided by author

Andy and his brother Brad are planning an excellent summer trip to Hawaii.  But, when their parents' plans change and they are shipped off to a remote farm in Wisconsin, things couldn't be worse.  Their crazy aunt and uncle live on a farm without cable or the internet.  It seems like there will be nothing to do.  But, both Andy and Brad will be in for a lot of surprises from this small town, not the least of which is the hot, and maybe a little nuts, girl that Andy meets.

Things I Liked:
This book was good for some laughs.  I enjoyed some of the incidents it relates, which are humorous and also sound like a lot of fun.  I liked Laura the most, since she was the most interesting and also most complex character.  She felt more real as well.  Andy's aunt and uncle were also pretty fun - especially because they didn't apologize for how odd they acted.  That's just how they are.  It was pretty entertaining overall.  Here's a touch of the entertainment:

Before I knew what was happening, the massive passenger was fast asleep - on me.  I now was completely pinned by a human avalanche - and it was snoring and smelled like scotch. p 31 of ARC

Things I Didn't Like:
It felt very episodic, as though one event would happen and then another, but they didn't seem to relate much.  There wasn't much of an overarching story, just little humorous anecdotes.  While some of the things Andy and Brad said felt like regular teens, at times it waxed a little too cheesy and therefore somewhat unrealistic.  I'm not sure a 15-year-old would hug his 17-year-old brother in a public place, no matter the circumstances.  Little things like that and some of the dialog felt contrived.  I think it will appeal to teens younger than 15, but I can't see a lot of 15-year-old guys picking this up on their own. 

Read-alikes:
Reminded me a little of The Ghost, the Eggheads, and Babe Ruth's Piano by Larry Sweitzer
Maybe a little like A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:  
s-factor: !@
scattered throughout

mrg-factor: X
teenage boy mind

v-factor: ->
a minor fight scene

Overall rating: ***

Did you ever go somewhere for a summer and come back very changed?  Where did you go?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman

Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman
Publisher: Clarion books
Publication date: April 26, 2010
ISBN: 9780547231846
Source: e-copy of ARC from NetGalley

Meggy Swann is setting off for the first time from her small village to London.  Her father, who she's never met, called for her to come assist him.  But, when she arrives, she finds things much different than she expected.  Her father, a destitute alchemist, doesn't expect to find her a crippled girl and so completely ignores her.  There isn't enough money for food every day.  Even her one friend, Louise the goose, must leave her.  But, though people still curse her and make fun of her for how she walks, there are those who don't seem to mind.  She might even make a real friend in Roger, an actor.  

Things I Liked:
I have fallen in love with everything Karen Cushman writes.  Her middle ages heroines are always strong and full of life and spirit.  Meggy is a sharp-tongued, short-tempered delight.  I felt every pain she did, from those who taunt her and every joy from those who didn't.  It was an interesting and unique look at how disabled persons were perceived back then.  Not only does she write great characters, but the time period comes to life.  I felt like I was there in 1500s London, hearing, smelling, and seeing everything.  A completely enjoyable romp back in time that doesn't deal with royalty, for a change.  Some of my favorite quotes:

"In truth, I think you as friendly as a bag of weasels but too small to be dangerous."
Meggy banged a stick against the floor again.  "Be not daft, servant boy," she said.  "I be most dangerous, a fearsome cripple who delights in affrighting people." p19 of ARC

"You, Mistress Margret, are passing skilled at this matter of insults, you milk-livered minnow."
"I grew up in an alehouse, you wart-necked mammering clap dish." p55

Things I Didn't Like:
It might be a bit difficult for younger kids to get into the language of this one.  Those who are well-versed in historical fiction from this time would probably be fine, but maybe not for someone who hasn't read a lot.

Read-alikes:
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cuhsman
Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:  
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: *****

I will now be spewing "ye toads and vipers" for the next week. Nothing like a hearty Elizabethan-era cuss word to liven things up.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Easy Does It

(hosted by Marg of Adventures of an Intrepid Reader and Eva of A Striped Armchair)

I think I've gotten into the groove of just enough, but not too many books from the library.  I have about ten checked out right now (excluding book club sets) and I've got enough time between them to catch up on review books.  Of course, I just put about ten more books on hold, so we'll see how long this lasts.  I still haven't browsed the stacks in the library in several months.  Someday, I'll let myself do that again!

But, for now, I think I'm ok with just my holds. This week it was:

Ashes by Kathryn Lasky (reloot)
Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
The Agency 1: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee

I also got In My Mailbox (hosted by The Story Siren):
Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien (for Traveling ARC Tours)
My Double Life by Janette Rallison (won from Melissa at Book Nut)

What did you get that you're excited to read?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage