It’s easy for my family to shop for my Christmas gifts. Just give me a book–or a trip to the bookstore, with a gift card in hand–and I’m happy.
Kitty Cornered, by Bob Tarte. Courtesy of Algonquin Books
I’m also happy that several new books have come my way lately, thanks to publishing companies who have sent me advance copies to review. Are you buying for a bookworm this year? Check out these new releases:
The Future Of Us, by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler. Young adults snapped up author Jay Asher’s novel Thirteen Reasons Why, and critics loved it, too. The book spent over a year on the NYT bestseller lists and has sold over 1 million print copies in the U.S. alone. While the premise might sound dreary–it’s about a teenage girl who leaves behind 13 clues to help a friend understand why she took her own life–it resonated with many readers.
Co-author Carolyn Mackler is an award-winning writer whose novels have been published in 15 countries. They include The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things; Tangled; and Love and Other Four Letter Words.
As you’d guess, these two authors have collaborated to produce another sure-fire hit. The Future of Us is set in 1996, when friends Josh and Emma receive an America Online CD-ROM in the mail and discover Facebook–except Facebook hasn’t been invented yet. Suddenly the kids are looking at their profiles 15 years in the future, complete with info on their spouses, jobs, and innermost thoughts.
Miss Paws recommends The Future of Us, a new young adult book.
Every time Josh and Emma refresh their Facebook pages, they’re actually changing their own futures. Soon they’re confronted with some difficult choices. Can they be happy with what life holds–or will they risk it all, in order to change their destinies?
The Future of Us should appeal to anyone who enjoys resist a sweet, young-love romance, and the added element of time travel is fun for sci-fi fans. You don’t need a crystal ball to see the future of this book; I’ve heard it’s already been optioned for a movie.
If you’re a pet lover, don’t miss Kitty Cornered: How Frannie and Five Other Incorrigible Cats Seized Control of Our House and Made It Their Home, by Bob Tarte. The only bad news is that this book won’t be released until April of 2012–but you can go ahead and put it on your wish list, or preorder through Amazon.com.
Tarte is also the author of the hilarious Enslaved by Ducks, and his story of surviving in a household run by a half-dozen demanding felines is another laugh-out-loud tale. While I’m a dog person at heart, I’ve owned cats (I should say, I’ve been owned by cats), and I enjoy them. You’ll enjoy Tarte’s adventures with his complicated, diva-kitties.
Even my loyal rescue doggie, Miss Paws, gives Kitty Cornered a paw’s up!
(Click this link to see more about Enslaved By Ducks, while you wait for Kitty Cornered to be released.)
Thank so much for reviewing “Kitty Cornered,” Lynn. I’m glad you enjoyed it! You might also like “Fowl Weather,” which is the sequel to “Enslaved by Ducks.”
Bob, I’m happy to let readers know about your wonderful new book–as well as “Fowl Weather” and “Enslaved by Ducks.” Thanks for writing, and have a wonderful holiday season!
Lynn
P.S.–you can tell I’m an animal lover, too. As you can see, my dog, Miss Paws, writes her own blog 😉