Insurgent!

This summer has been so busy, I can't believe I hadn't read this yet. 

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: One choice can transform you — or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself — while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable — and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Why?: I read Divergent and loved it, so it only made sense to read the sequel after Paul bought it!

Expectations: I expect this book to pick up right where Divergent left off, and to continue to tell how Tris and Tobias fight against Erudite, and to deal with the consequences of the simulation in Divergent. I think that the idea of "Divergent" people will be more explained, and more characters will come out as "Divergent." I expect it to be pretty epic!

Judging a book by its cover: The cover has a tree, which is the symbol for Amity. I think that Amity will be very important here. Maybe Tris and Tobias form an alliance with Amity? Maybe Amity fights against them?


--Ashley

Paul's Pre Reading of Ashley's June Book: Under the Never Sky

I am going back on the boat this coming week. I don't know how long I will be there. Maybe a week. Maybe three weeks. I am taking plenty of books to occupy my time. Some of them are Ashley's picks from this fall that I still have not read. Others I won't blog about, like the third and fourth Game of Thrones books. 

In case you still do not know, The AP Book Club is making its way to goodreads. HERE is the link! Join the group and participate in discussions about any past, current, or future books. The AP Book Club is looking to expand, but we can only do so with an active audience. My pick for July will be Shadow and Bone!!!

Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—nicknamed The Death Shop—are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms eventually will. In this dystopia, even the very air she breathes could kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild, dangerous—a savage. He’s also her only hope.

Perry needs Aria, too. She alone holds the key to his redemption. And their unlikely alliance will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Why?: This was Ashley's pick and, like her, I have received this on my recommendations on Amazon since it came out. I like dystopian YA and this looks like a nice addition to the current trend.

Expectations: I expect this to be similar to other dystopian YA that is popular right now, but I hope it can stand on its own. Whenever there is a trend in YA, all the books that may not have been good enough before sneak into being published in hopes of catching onto the band wagon. I hope this is not one of those books.

Judging a book by its cover: The cover intrigues me. I like the darker colors. The girl is walking away from what looks like a CGI thorn bush. Ashley called it lightening. I like that the girl looks confident. Maybe this won't continue the trend of female protagonists that start wimpy. 

-PAUL

Paul's June Book: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Paul's Pre-Reading
Paul's Review

Title: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Author: John Green & David Levithan
Year Published: 2010

Synopsis:   One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical. Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

Why?: Honestly, I'm reading this only because Paul picked it. I had never heard of it before he found it, and while I thought it sounded interesting, I probably would have left it on my TBR pile for a while before I even thought about it again.

Expectations: I expect there to be two characters that have nothing in common except their names. I also expect them to change each other's lives in ways they wouldn't have even imagined. Also, a lot of high school drama and emotions.

Judging a book by its cover: The cover has lots of bright colors on it. I think maybe things happen at night, possibly near nightclubs or something. It is Chicago, afterall.


--Ashley

Ashley's June Book: Under the Never Sky

First of all, I'd like to apologize for not blogging in a while. Real life caught up to me and I barely had time to sleep and eat. Things have slowed down a little bit now though, so expect quite a few blog entries coming your way soon!

Secondly, in case you missed Paul's post, we're almost to our one-year blogiversary! (Is that a word? It is now.) We have a group on Goodreads now (you can find it here!), and we hope to be adding some cool new things soon too. So stay tuned for all of that fun stuff!

And, without further ado, here's my pre-reading for Under the Never Sky. Which I meant to post a while ago...

Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—nicknamed The Death Shop—are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms eventually will. In this dystopia, even the very air she breathes could kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild, dangerous—a savage. He’s also her only hope.

Perry needs Aria, too. She alone holds the key to his redemption. And their unlikely alliance will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Why?: I've been looking at this book on Amazon since like November, and have wanted to read it since I read the description. It seems like a different take on a dystopian future, where nature has forced people to retreat to protected areas. Kind of like in The Maze Runner, which I very much enjoyed. And dystopian romances are always fun.

Expectations: I expect there to be quite a bit of adventure and mystery in this novel. Why is Aria exiled? Why does Perry need Aria? What exactly is causing the storms that are kiling everyone and destroying everything?

Judging a book by its cover: The cover has a girl walking through what looks like lightning. So, I assume both will be important. Maybe the girl can control the lightning? Or it has some weird effect on her when she leaves Reverie and goes to the outside?


--Ashley

Almost One Year!!!

Ashley and I started this blog in July of 2011. We have consistently each picked a book each month for a year now. I may be a few books behind on hers, but both of us have read many more books in addition to our one a month. 


I am ready to step this book club up to the next step. First, we have created a goodreads group which can be found HERE! I am hoping this will increase our reach. 


In the next month, look for some more changes and additions to The AP Book Club!


Thank you for being a reader!


-PAUL

"There is still always hope."

In case you missed them:

My Pre-Reading
Paul's Review

I finished this book a while ago, and honestly don't remember that much about it. I apologize for the seemingly short post, and I'll try to post more quickly after I finish my books so that I can go more in depth.

I do remember enjoying this book much more then I Am Number Four. I thought the story was better, and I liked the other characters more than I like John/Four. Seven was very interesting, and I'm glad we were introduced to her in this book. And learning more about Six was also nice, although I wish there would have been sections from her point of view.

I did not like that John really didn't mature much from the first novel. He was still annoying and self-centered, and even though he tried to be the good friend and not meddle with the girl Sam was falling for, he still somehow managed to muck things up. Oh, and the whole Sarah thing was strange and fast and not really explained well. I know he wanted to see her... but still.

I did like the ending though, and I will probably read the rest of the series to see what happens to the remaining Garde. I'd give this book a solid 3/5, and would recommend it to anyone who has already read I Am Number Four. And if you've seen the movie, but haven't read the book, go read both books now. They're much better.


--Ashley

Paul's Will Grayson, Will Grayson Review

I wasn't expecting this book to be so gay. I loved it. Even though half of the characters were gay, the story doesn't revolve around them dealing with their gayness. They are shown as regular teens with regular teen problems.

All the characters had depth. Tiny was quite a character. He's a huge, as in large, flamer who writes his own musical about his life and is also the star of the football team.

The varying styles of writing between the authors did well with their alternating chapters from different Will Graysons' perspectives. I thought the lowercase fit well with that Will Grayson. I enjoyed the interview between the authors found in the back of the book.

The use of music and bands was done well. I found myself googling the songs and bands as well as trying to come up with the melody to Tiny's musical's songs.

After reading this I want to read more from both authors, as well as queer YA. I read Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist a few years ago and liked that a lot.

I give this novel a 5/5.


-PAUL

Paul's June Pick: Will Grayson, Will Grayson Pre Read

Title: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Author: John Green and David Levithan
Year Published: 2010

Synopsis: One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them both legions of faithful fans.

Why?: I have wanted to read a John Green novel for some time now. I have heard great things about his writing as well as David Levithan's. I especially find this novel interesting because I've heard there is a gay main character.

Expectations: I expect this to be a contemporary story involving wit, humor, and truth.

Judging a book by its cover: This cover doesn't give much away. It is just colorful with the title of the book being the main focus.




-PAUL