London, England 2012 – The Big Egg Hunt
Archive | February 2013
Slated by Teri Terry
Kyla Davis is sixteen and has never been kissed, well she doesn’t have any memories of it. She’s been Slated. 2054, in the United Kingdom, it’s the government’s job to stop terrorists. A program has been implemented that wipes their brains of their former life, giving them a clean slate, a second chance at life. If Kyla has been Slated, then does that means she was a terrorist?
Struggling to adjust to this second chance Kyla tries to settle in with her new family, home and school. Her emotions are kept in check through her Levo – a device on her arm that monitors her feelings. If she’s not happy Kyla runs the risk of getting shocked causing her to blackout. A Slated must be happy in order to fulfil their contract.
Even as Kyla tries to stay Level, her mind is still stuck with memories, which should be impossible. She’s different than the other Slated. By some miracle Kyla can think for herself without compromising her Levo. It’s dangerous for a Slated to talk back and think their own thoughts, but Kyla can’t stop asking questions and the more she asks the deeper she falls into the darkness of this new, Slated world.
I’ve been reading a lot of American YA lately so this was a special treat. I had seen this book on NetGalley but unfortunately was denied my request. It was all right in the end as I was able to get it from the library (WIN). I also have to say that yes, I mainly wanted to read this book because the author’s name is Teri Terry. Don’t judge.
I really loved Terry’s language in this book. She repeats a lot, but it worked in this setting and genre. The way information is delivered is well written and a pleasant surprise. The only cliché bit was the romance but even that was still understated (but not the control government bit). The ending left me asking millions of questions as it took a direction I didn’t expect. I tip my hat to Terry and I look forward to reading more about the Slated world!
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden – February Vintage YA
This month’s Vintage YA is very on theme for February! Sadly, I haven’t read this title myself, and my local library doesn’t have it available for check out. (It’s on special reserve or something) I do plan on reading the book eventually, but with a pending move in the works I’m trying not to increase my amount ‘stuff’. Regardless, I feel that this book needs special mention. Here’s the summary provided by Goodreads:
“This groundbreaking book is the story of two teenage girls whose friendship blossoms into love and who, despite pressures from family and school that threaten their relationship, promise to be true to each other and their feelings. This book is so truthful and honest; it has been banned from many school libraries and even publicly burned in Kansas City.
Of the author and the book, the Margaret A. Edwards Award committee said, “Nancy Garden has the distinction of being the first author for young adults to create a lesbian love story with a positive ending. Using a fluid, readable style, Garden opens a window through which readers can find courage to be true to themselves.”
I would also like to mention that this book is on my YA Banned Books Bracelet, which I wrote about for last month’s Literary Inspired Item.
I loved the idea of this book. A teenage lesbian story filled with love and heartache. It’s a coming of age story that there are rarely others to compare it too. Everyone experiences love for a first time and it isn’t always with the hottest guy at school, or an undead vampire. This is an example of power to women, in this case, young women on the right to freely express whom they want to love.
This Valentines Day should be celebrated by all of those in love, and with the progression of more states in the US making gay marriage legal, I can only hope that one-day people all over the world can love freely. Thank you Nancy Garden for writing this book and paving the way for girls who love girls to read about others that feel the same way they do.
February Reads
Yay! February! Yay for new things to read! This month I’ll be reading:
Hearts
Off of Carnaby Street, London, England
National Library Day
Today around the UK is National Library Day!
Libraries are being taken for granted and are underappreciated. They’re also beginning to disappear. Before I moved to London I survived on working multiple part time jobs, being a nanny, receptionist and babysitter. I worked all hours and didn’t get health care. The Seattle Public Library was my saving grace and provider of all essential entertainment (other than Netflix). My life was ridiculous but I could do amazing things because of what the library could give me access to. Today I celebrate the Seattle Public Library by writing a letter to this amazing library that provides some of the best literary service, books and resources all for free.
Dear Seattle Public Library (mainly the Northeast and Northgate branches),
How do I say that one of the best things about living in Seattle is having access to the your local library branch? For my three years working as a nanny the Northeast Branch had been my Thursday destination as soon as I dropped off one of the wards for piano lessons. There was always a book waiting in the reserve section and a computer to quickly check process of the others. I must also mention that the easy to use website that makes it possible to search for practically ANY book and request it at ANY branch for free is one thing I took for granted before I moved away.
Your proactive ability to advertise the future purchase of a book before it’s published, allowing for members to request it in advance had given me more opportunity to read different types of books that I never expected. Even better? Your stock of knitting books gave me hope that one day I could knit myself my very own jumper (sweater).
Because of your standout service I treated books as an investment. If I liked them then I would purchase. The self-check out also gave me the privacy to check out books without watchful or judgemental eyes. I am so proud that Saturday hours are back and swoon over the new library card designs. I no longer live in Seattle, but I would love a newly designed library card to flaunt around London.
May you always remain standout, not just in architecture, but in service, community and of course books! (duh) Other than friends and family, honestly the one thing that I miss most of all is indeed the Seattle Public Library. Target is a close second.
Your biggest fan,
Ashley
Please take the time today to visit your local library. Check out a cookbook, a children’s book or the latest bestseller! If you don’t have a library card – WHO ARE YOU?! Get one immediately and start loving your library! These amazing places are disappearing and need your support!
Through a Seattle Looking Glass 