Bleeding Violet

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves 2010
Simon & Schuster

Rating: 5/5

IQ "I was biracial and bi cultural-a walking billboard for adaptation." Hanna pg. 23 (there are so many awesome quotes in this book, it was impossible to pick just one. I didn't want it to be spoiler-y or too long)

Hanna may be crazy, but just like everyone else, she wants to be loved. Her father has died, so she sets out to find her mother. She knows that her mother, Rosalee Price, lives in Portero, Texas. Hanna spent many years of her life in Finland with her Finnish father, she's never connected with her African American mother. When she arrives Hanna's mother is more than reluctant to accept her, especially when she finds out that Hanna hallucinates and has manic depression, but it's OK because she has lots of medicines and when she remembers to take the medicine she's fine. Really. However, Portero may be even crazier than Hanna. It's filled with secrets and terrified people and no one will explain to Hanna the history of the town or what is going on. All Hanna wants is to be accepted by the people of the town and most importantly, her mother.

Hanna is a fantastic character! She's pretty and self-assured and she's not afraid to play up her beauty. She enjoys torturing boys by showing them what they can't have and while her vanity borders on being obnoxious, it never fully crosses the line. The author does a good job of keeping Hanna from ever getting annoying by showing her vulnerable and some-what odd side. Also, it was most refreshing to see a YA heroine who doesn't see having sex as a big deal. She's open to having sex, she uses protection and she enjoys it (*gasp of horror* ha). Even with all this, the sex in the book is not graphic, it's handled tastefully. Another thing that was handled well, was having a mental illness. I'm not an expert, but I thought the author was very respectful, she never dumbed down Hanna. Mental illness is not often portrayed in books and I enjoyed this glimpse into the various types of mental illness and the thought process they might go through. The rest of the characters make this book even better. Another rarity in YA: a mother who abandoned her husband and child. I was really curious as to why she left them and if she would ever acknowledge that deep-down she does love Hanna (I think every parent loves their child since they are a part of them. Some parents just try to deny/hide it). My heart went out to Hanna because she tries so hard with her mother and Rosalee is cold. Their relationship is realistic with breakthroughs and setbacks. Wyatt was a sweet-heart, although I had the same first impression of him as Hanna. Shoko was very cool as well and I loved that "she had too much self-confidence to be in high school" (pg. 35), she could be distant but she had a softer side to her as well, much like all the characters.

The world of Portero is a delightfully haunted world. I was so intrigued by everything there and I was so glad we got to experience each new and foreign thing with Hanna. There are monsters and alternate worlds (sort-of) and lots of mystery enveloping the town. It's eerie but not in a nightmare-ish way (trust me, I can't watch horror movies or read horror books), it's compelling. The author has such a way with words "The man's arms were outstretched, his see-through palms flat against a long stretch of window that wasn't nearly as crystal clear as he was. Numerous bloodlike, gelatinous stains pinwheeled hypnotically at either end of the long window, like two giants outside the school had blown their brains out against the glass." (pg. 32) Alluring imagery, I can see exactly what's being described in my mind's eye! *shivers*

Bleeding Violet is a book that you will not be able to put down. The never-before seen creatures, eccentric characters, unique setting and unforgettable heroine (and her fascination with the color purple) all make for a wonderfully bizarre read. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger which I was really happy about and I'm eager to visit Portero again in the author's next book! As for the IQ, can I get an Amen from those who are bi racial/bi cultural or both? ;) It was nice to read a book where the main character just happened to be bi-racial, there's not a huge deal made over Hanna's heritage (with the exception of the pronunciation of her last name Jarvinen, with an : over the a). Hanna is so different with her background (raised by a single father), mental illness and incredibly poised and confident along with self sufficient (she sews her own clothes). I love the tagline "Crazy never looked so beautiful" and the cover is exquisite. I love this book.

Disclosure: Bought it, one of the best purchases of my reading life :) Definitely a top read of 2010

PS Stop by tomorrow for my interview with the fabulous Dia!

Throwback Thursday: An Ocean Apart, a World Away

An Ocean Apart, a World Away by Lensey Namioka 2002

Random House Teens

Rating: 3.5/5

IQ "So far, I'd found that people became annoyed, even angry, when you did something unexpected. They wanted you to conform to their idea of what you should be. Chinese were expected to be experts at laundry, girls were expected to do exquisite embroidery, and Westerners with big noses were not expected to speak Chinese. People liked you to be predictable because it made them feel safer." Xueyan pg. 148

Xueyan (her nickname is Yanyan) is sixteen and living in Nanjing, China where it's customary for girls her age to get married. But Yanyan has no interest in marriage, she wants to be a doctor. Most women don't go to college in 1921, especially not for medical school. When Yanyan is offered the opportunity to go to Cornell college in America, she jumps at the chance. But then she realizes that moving to America means she won't be able to see Liang Baoshu, the only man she has ever considered marrying. Yanyan decides to move to America, but Baoshu isn't giving up that easily.

I was really excited to read this novel. China in the 1920s, sounds great! Unfortunately, An Ocean Apart, a World Away did not live up to my expectations. My only problem with it was that I found it tedious. This is rare, I don't usually find historical fiction boring, but this novel moved so slowly. Also, I don't think it helped to have half the story take place in Ithaca, New York. After all, nothing happens in Ithaca! There's no diversity and hardly anything to do. Yanyan was bored and lonely and I was bored with her. I wanted more China time or to really delve into the experiences of Chinese students in America. Yanyan is an outsider, so she doesn't spend much time with the few Chinese students there and I wish that she had. I wanted to know about their experiences too, to have their stories interwoven.

The novel does present an interesting portrait of China. During the 1920s China was separated into different groups (China became a republic in 1911, a rather ineffective republic). Eventually, the Nationalists and the Communists become the dominant groups fighting for power (and then they get into World War I & II). Before China was a republic, the Manchu Qing dynasty ruled. The Manchu are not Chinese, their language is similar to Turkish and they come from the northeastern part of China. At first, the Qing dynasty was doing well, they didn't Chinese women to have bound feet, and China was calm and prosperous. However, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, China was embroiled in the Opium Wars, the Boxer Rebellion and other events. The result was a weakened China that the the U.S., Britain, Japan, Germany, Russia and France tried to take over. It's interesting because Liang Baoshu is passionate about restoring the Manchu dynasty. He is a Manchu, Yanyan is Chinese and she's not so sure she wants to see the Manchus back in power. I enjoyed reading about the differences between the two groups of people and following Yanyan and Liang Boshu's debates. Of course, Yanyan meets someone in America too, so we have a distant love triangle. I love Yanyan though, she studies martial arts with her Eldest Brother (her Second Brother ignores her), she discusses politics with her father, devotes herself to learning English at the school she attends in China and studies medicine on her own. In America, she takes hard courses precisely because her counselor told her Chinese people and especially Chinese women, could not succeed at them. This was refreshing to read about because Yanyan does not necessarily prove him wrong (I don't like when a character comes into a new setting and does perfectly at a strange school in hard subjects), she struggles but she handles the situation maturely. I also really admired her for leaving her home at the age of sixteen and traveling across the world to a foreign place where she wasn't fluent in the language. That takes courage.

An Ocean Apart, a World Away had potential with a strong female main character and unique setting, but this novel crawls along and there's little action. There's a lack of secondary character development which is a shame, because the other characters (not just the Chinese students but the other women students) seem to have interesting background stories. I liked reading about China in the early 190s and the learning about the various disputes going on, and of course, the discrimination against Asians and women made my blood boil. Other people will probably enjoy this novel more than I, it had too little action and adventure for my tastes.

Disclosure: I bought this book. I got this one because Yanyan's feet are not bound. Lensey Namioka has another novel with some of the same characters called Ties that Bind, Ties that Break, but I chose not to read it because I don't know if I can handle reading about the foot binding process just yet. Eventually I will read it.

Waiting on Wednesday: His Own Where & Cool Links

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm waiting on...

His Own Where (Contemporary Classics) by June Jordan

Re-Release Date: June 1, 2010

Nominated for a National Book Award in 1971, His Own Where is the story of Buddy, a fifteen-year-old boy whose world is spinning out of control. He meets Angela, whose angry parents accuse her of being "wild." When life falls apart for Buddy and his father, and when Angela is attacked at home, they take action to create their own way of staying alive in Brooklyn. In the process, the two find refuge in one another and learn that love is real and necessary. His Own Where was one of The New York Times' Most Outstanding Books and was on the American Library Association's list of Best Books in 1971.

June Jordan was a poet, essayist, journalist, dramatist, activist, and educator known for challenging oppression through her inspirational words and actions. She was the founder of Poetry for the People at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught for many years. The author of over twenty books, her poetry is collected in Directed by Desire; her selected essays in Some of Us Did Not Die.

Sapphire is the author of American Dreams, Black Wings & Blind Angels, and Push, which has been made into a motion picture called Precious. -From Amazon.com

-To clarify: Sapphire did not write this book, she wrote the introduction for the re-release. I've heard really good things about June Jordan so I'm eager to read it. I like the cover too; how the front is a guy's shoes and pants (on second thought it could be a girl too) but the silhouette on the sidewalk could be a boy or girl with an Afro.

What are you waiting? Specifically, any POC books? Also, thank you to everyone who recommended YA books about POC by UK authors, I've added so many awesome-sounding books to my tbr list.

Cool Links

Women Writers of Color: Dia Reeves-The author of Bleeding Violet (amazing book, review coming on Friday along with an interview here on Saturday) talks about BV, cowboy boots and POC in fantasy. Dia is awesome so do stop by and check out the brief interview.

Cover Matter: The Survey Results-Do covers matter? Many readers say yes. Read this unscientific but very interesting and cool poll results. Many thanks to Thea & Ana for putting this together!

Girlfuture.com-Part shameful promotion, but even more importantly, I passionately believe in this website and what it's trying to do. Girlfuture.com aims to empower girls and present positive role models. I'll be doing a few book reviews for them, focusing of course on POC in YA. So far the only thing by me is a revised copy of my open letter to Bloomsbury and other publishing companies about whitewashing and its damaging effects. Very revised. I had to cut so much, it was awful (I can imagine authors scoffing at this, "cutting 500 words? That's nothing!", haha)

Some Thoughts on Bullying by Neesha Meminger-Powerful essay that's so inspiring and touching. Neesha has such a way with words. If you haven't yet, read the post and then read Shine, Coconut Moon which is a great book.

Male Monday: We Were Here

We Were Here by Matt De La Pena 2009

Rating: 5/5

IQ "People always think there's this huge hundred-foot-high barrier that separates doing good from doing bad. But there's not. There's nothing. There's not even a little anthill. You just take one baby step in any direction and you're already there. You've done something awful. And your life is changed forever." Miguel pg. 119

In We Were Here, we meet Miguel, Mong, Rondell and a host of other characters who come from different backgrounds. For most of the novel we focus on Miguel, Mong and Rondell. Miguel is half Mexican, half white. Mong is Chinese. Rondell is African American. Miguel is the seemingly "normal" one, he is standoffish when he enters the group home. Miguel is quite intelligent, but he never applied himself in school. While at the group home he begins reading a lot more. Mong has scars all over his face and a shaved head, "this Mong dude wasn't like that [a quiet, studious Asian]. He was a different kind of Asian kid." Mong is not afraid to get in fights, he's vicious and never backs down. He has no fear. Rondell is muscular, mentally slow and a Bible thumper. He' also an amazing basketball player. These three boys should not be able to function well together, but they break out of juvi together and that begins their adventure across California in an attempt to get to Mexico.

I'm writing this with review with tears in my eyes. Just revisiting this book makes me want to cry. I was well through this book and I was doing alright, I was enraptured by the story, mainly because the author does not tell you why Miguel is in a juvenile home. It's revealed at the end. And then, I lost it. Not full out sobbing, but the tears were falling. It's so SAD! How could the author do that to me (haha, selfish much?) and all other readers. I was so crushed by the ending, but I was sort of expecting it. Deep down I had already guessed what he did but I was so hoping that I would be wrong. *pauses to get tissues* (this is why you write reviews in advance and not the day of!)

The characters in this novel all seem like people you might know. Maybe not at first, but beneath the surface, they are just like so many of us, they just happen to have a prison sentence. Some of the boys come from truly horrific situations. As a full disclosure, I had tears in my eyes at Mong and Rondell's stories too. Miguel begins devouring every book in sight while in the group home. When the boys break out, he takes a stack of books with him. He has one of my favorite quotes about reading "When I'm following what a character does in a book I don't have to think about my own life. Where I am. Why I'm here. My moms and my brother and my old man. I can just think about the character's life and try and figure out what's gonna happen. Plus when you're in a group home you pretty much can't go anywhere, right? But when you read books you almost feel like you're out there in the world. Like you're going on this adventure right with the main character. At least, that's the way I do it. It's actually not that bad. Even if it is mad nerdy." (pg. 41). I love all the characters in this book (except for the store owner, boo), but I have a special fondness for Jaden. Jaden is the counselor at the group home and he's the surfer type. Y'know; blond, white teeth, blue eyes. But he's watching over "hardened criminals" who are mostly Black and Mexican (one white boy) and he GETS them. While the boys scoff at him and his insights, the reader sees that the boys do respect him and value what he has to say. Often he understands them better than they understand themselves. However, the novel introduces readers to Diego (Miguel's brother), Miguel's parents (alhtough we don't learn too much about Miguel's father), Mei-li (Mong's cousin) and other minor characters who make appearances in the book and make this book a wonderful read. It's also clear that the author loves basketball, its not a major part of the novel but when the game and its players are described its with appreciation and awe.

We Were Here is a poignant, heartbreaking story about boys searching for redemption and themselves. Along the way, they dream of being fishermen and fighting the Devil. The narrative is honest, Miguel is writing the story. he only wants to record the facts, he leaves out much of his feelings, but it comes through in the conversations that he records. At the risk of being a cliche and too gushy, I will part on this note: we often judge criminals based on their crimes. Which is ok to a certain point. However, in the demanding of justice, we must also make the effort through our pain and horror, to understand why the person committed the crime that they did. The environment they grew up in can also play a big role in why a crime is committed and Matt De La Pena shows the struggle that I think many people who have committed crimes go through; being able to forgive themselves. It's a constantly evolving process.

Disclosure: Received from Lyn. Thank you so so much!

YA Community Thanksgiving

Adele over at the Persnickety Snark has proclaimed April 20 YA Community Thanksgiving Day. So I'm a little late to the party, but better late than never! This is a day in which we readers share what we are thankful for in the YA community.

I love the YA community. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, why I love the YA community so much and there are so many reasons. In no particular order I love and am immensely grateful for;

1. Being able to be myself. I don't get to discuss books with my friends. They don't like to read, or if they do, they hide it. Which is ok most of the time, because we always have a ton of other stuff to talk about. But I love to read and sometimes I want to be able to chat with my friends about the latest YA book, or even an old classic. Getting a Google Account that allows me to comment on blogs (and eventually starting a blog), gives me the opportunity to leave comments on posts about my favorite books, my least favorite books, books I want to add to my tbr pile, etc. I love seeing how into books people can get; choosing teams, casting characters from the book into a movie and so much more. I've always felt that I'm not being completely true to myself or my friends by not telling them that I love to read (I just don't want to be called oreo anymore. But that's another post for another day) and the YA blogging community allows me to freely express myself. There's nothing better than passionately defending a book you love, recommending a book that is relatively unknown but you think it's amazing (and then someone picks it up based on your recommendation and they love it too) and discussing books you've read with other people.

2. (As an extension of #1), I especially enjoy being able to discuss books and book-related issues and events with people my own age or a little older. Maggie, Ah Yuan, Angel/ninefly, Steph and Kristi make up the core of this group. I know that I can email them to discuss a book, to vent (as a teenager I feel slightly immature when I vent to my older blogging buddies, haha) and if necessary, ask for some advice about issues that we teenagers go through. Also, while some of my older blogging friends may not have liked a certain book, they may have liked it and can provide me with a different perspective on it.

3. I have mentors (who I think of as blogging/reading godmothers and Book Fairies). Colleen, Doret, Lyn, Heather, Jill, Justine, Kaz, Neesha, Nathalie, Olugbemisola, susan, Vasilly and Zetta are the people I constantly turn to for advice and wisdom. They counsel, console and give me great ideas. They are also extremely well-read and if I ever have a question about a book (is it good? Does it have any POC in it?), chances are they will know the answer. They also help me out technologically. When I can't figure out how to fix something on my blog, they usually know the answer. Besides technology and books, they also offer me life advice. I am so grateful to them, especially as I prepare for my junior year and beginning the college process *gulp*, I know their insights are (and will be) invaluable.

(#s 2 & 3 are usually the people you will see the most emails from in my inbox or I talk to them on Twitter a lot. lol).

4. It's international, baby! I get recommendations about books published not only in the U.S., but in Canada, Australia, Japan and the UK. I also love seeing what's being read in other countries. Lauren (England), Kaz (England), Ah Yuan (Canada), and Justine (Australia) always have recommendations of books that I would not have heard of in the U.S.

5. The Authors. I love that I'm able to 'talk' to an author in the comments on their blog or on Twitter. I enjoy reading their blog posts about their WiPs, books they've recently read and loved and whatever else pops into their heads. I think YA authors are the sweetest and friendliest (and a little odd. Kidding!) of authors. I'm so grateful for the Internet giving us the opportunity to directly communicate with each other. Also, I'm thrilled to be able to read the works of all the aspiring writers. You guys are really talented and I can't wait to read all your books! Especially the people who leave me comments telling me that while they may not be a POC, they are writing a character who is a POC and they have done their homework. This means so much to me.

6. My Followers, because you Read in Color and want to expand your reading horizons and that's awesome! You guys are enthusiastic about the books I get each week, always eager to try the ones that I love, patient when I seem to have fallen off the face of the earth and always ready with recommendations.

7. Free Books. I love giving books away, especially if I loved them. Being able to pass on a book you love, to another book-lover is a wonderful feeling. And hey, I love seeing if I won a book or two :) Or when a blogger sees that I REALLY want a book and they kindly send me their own copy (which makes me feels super guilty, so don't do that!)

8. I'm a better person. The advice I get, learning how to really utilize technology, improving my writing skills (being able to better express myself through writing), reading people's various opinions on different topics which provides food for thought and reading a book that leaves an impact on me, these things are helping to make me a better person.

I have a lot more reasons, but I have homework and exams to focus on so I'll stop now.

THANK YOU READERS!

New Crayons is hosted by susan at Color Online. In this meme, I share what new book(s) I got this week. Crayons is a good metaphor for multicultural lit :)

Also, I'm currently looking for some recommendations of YA books by UK authors that have POC. I don't care if the author's not a POC, but the main character or important secondary character should be. I know of Love, Shelley, Noughts & Crosses (trilogy), Growing Yams in London (series) and the Bindi Babes (series). Suggestions?


Stringz by Michael Wenberg

Life hasn t been easy for Jace Adams, a mixed-race teen whose mom moves them from one place to another so often that sometimes he's been in four schools in a single year. To cope with all that instability, Jace has vowed to never let himself get attached to anyone or anything--other than his beloved cello. But when his mom takes them to Seattle, where they're living with tough, sassy Aunt Bernice, Jace wonders if this time things might really change. Because money is tight, Jace plays his cello on the street in downtown Seattle, and one evening, someone throws a folded $100 bill with a business card attached into Jace s open cello case while he's serenading. That card changes everything; it's from a famous cello instructor who offers to take him on, giving Jace a shot at winning a large cash prize. Will he make the grade?

-Sent to me from WestSide books. It's good so far. I like how it's about a black guy who plays cello and surfs. It's different.

As always, summary from Amazon.com

It Chicks: Sixteen Candles

It Chicks: Sixteen Candles by Tia Williams 2008

Rating: 3/5

IQ "Dancing was her safe place, something that made her feel special, powerful, alive. When she danced, she was invincible-no one could touch her, not Trey, not the skinny b***es brigade, not anybody." Tangie pg. 27

Contains some spoilers if you haven't read the first book, It Chicks.

In the sequel to It Chicks (don't judge my old review too harshly. I was new and believe me, I'm well aware that it's not at all a well written review. But at least I'm learning), Skye is rebounding from her disastrous back-to-school drama. She can't afford to stay mad at her friends, she needs to kiss and make up with them so that they can make her look good on TV. Skye is going to be on the show Sixteen Candles (think MTV's Sweet Sixteen) on MVN and her party needs to be the BEST sweet sixteen ever but it looks like her famous mom and sister may upstage her on her own show. Skye's friends have their own drama to deal with; Tangie is slowly getting over senior Trey Stevens when he suddenly decides that he does really like her and he's no longer a player. Meanwhile, C.J. is still trying to keep his art-deal news underwraps (it's against school rules to have published work), Regina is struggling with her sexuality and Kamillah and Black are having some Afrocentric issues. There's always drama and excitement at Louis Armstrong Academy of Performing and Creative Arts.

This series is a personal favorite of mine, but it has some flaws that others may not be able to overlook. As a lover of all things dance related, It Chicks: Sixteen Candles is right up my alley. A light, cute read that remains fairly predictable, but it is original in that, the main characters are all teens of color who are rich (most of them) and want to go into show business. However, typos abound which once again, make for confusing conversations. Also, I'm really annoyed by how dated this book is. For example, a certain celebrity couple performs at Skye's sweet sixteen, but in 2010 (even 2008 when this book was published), this couple has broken up and their song isn't played all that often (I still like the song though). I don't like how Tangie is still friends with Skye. She treats her horribly and yet Tangie puts up with it. Tangie feels bad for her because Skye is clearly attention-starved (her family ignores her) and she feels obligated to remain Skye's friend because they've been best friends for life. Which I guess I can understand, but I want Tangie to at least knock some sense into her. I'm also really annoyed with C.J. and Tangie. They are almost perfect for each other and the reason they won't go out with each other is no longer cute, just silly. Finally, I wish the premise of the story was a bit more original. I mean really: MVN (MTV), Sixteen Candles (My Super Sweet Sixteen), reality tv show where rich girls throw sweet sixteens and have lots of meltdowns. I felt that something more original could have been added to the show to differentiate it from the real life identical version.

I still love the entertainment aspect of it. Based on Tia Williams writing, I can see that Tangie is a great dancer and that she really loves it. She is so dedicated and I love how her "big booty" won't prevent her from dancing, even though anorexic-looking girls who are jealous of her talent, are constantly tearing her down. I do think that Sixteen Candles is unpredictable, mainly because the characters are so frustrating and don't communicate! So many misunderstandings occur. However this is realistic so I can't be too mad. Also, I think the overall appeal of this book is that it offers us teens of color a chance to see people who look like us (on the cover!) being talented and rich. I love the multicultural cast and they are pretty well developed characters. They go beyond cliches (although I have to wonder how Skye can go to a performing arts school where she herself says lots of gay teens attend, and yet she has no gaydar whatsoever. Odd). The theme of Skye's party sounds like a lot of fun, one that I would definitely attend.

It Chicks: Sixteen Candles is a bit lacking in creativity but it is also unpredictable. The Fame-like setting of a performing arts school with a multicultural cast who are go-getters makes for a pleasing read, once you get over the typos. Not too complicated or deep, it is a light read that is perfect for spring and summer. The ending was satisfying, but it's still a cliff hanger in a way. Especially because I don't know if the author is even working on another book in the series (I believe she's the online beauty editor at Essence.com). However, I think the original It Chicks was better than the sequel. Lovers of the performing arts will especially enjoy this book.

PS I could only find a good sized image of this book that showed the back and front cover. I like it though. It's not spectacular and looks too-posed, but I like the pruple outline and how the girl in red is whispering to the other guy.

Throwback Thursday: Indie Girl

Indie Girl by Kavita Daswani 2007
Simon and Schuster/Simon Pulse

Rating: 3/5

IQ "In our house, we woke up every morning to bhajans-devotional Hindi songs. And my dad, no matter how late it was or how tired he felt, would end his day listening to something from his own boyhood in India, a lyrical and melancholy raga or an enduring classic from an old Bollywood film. These were the songs my parents grew up with and even though the bulk of my days were filled with MTV hits, those same days were bookended by songs that were nostalgic and soulful, linking my youth to that of my parents." Indie pg. 97

Indira (Indie) Konkipuddi is obsessed with fashion. Not just the wearing of the clothes but how the fashion industry operates, who decides what's hot and what's not. Her dream is to be a fashion reporter and the best way to do this is to get an internship with Celebrity Style magazine. This her favorite magazine and it excels in fashion reporting, plus the founder of the magazine, Aarlyn Taylor is Indie's role model. Indie meets Aaralyn at her school's career day talk and volunteers to babysit Aaralyn's two-year-old son (Kyle). Never mind that she knows very little about toddlers, she needs that internship! Soon Indie finds out that Celebrity Style is in financial trouble and that a famous Hollywood acrress is having her wedding dress made in India. This is big news and Indie is sure that if she shares this with Aaralyn, Aarlyn will see her as more than just the babysitter. However, the world of fashion is full of surprises, good and bad.

This is a cute and frustrating story. I've never been a fan of young professionals taking all the verbal abuse that their monster bosses give them. I think at a certain point, you should have too much self-respect to constantly take being torn down. as a result, I didn't understand why Indie continuously bent over backwards to help Aaralyn as it became pretty clear how she was going to treat her. I just wanted Indie to stand up for herself sooner than she did. Also, the ending was a bit unbelievable and it felt as if something was missing. Indie Girl ended right when I didn't want it to end. SPOILER/Highlight to Read: Aaralyn's change of heart was too sudden. I wasn't expecting it at all, in fact I was hoping that Indie would tell her off and quit and Aaralyn would remain a jerk. And to end with Indie going to India? That was the part of the story that I was looking forward to reading the most! Furthermore, the romance interest seemed to be just thrown in there for convince. The story could have moved on quite well, without the help of a guy. He didn't add anything to the story and I only halfway understood why Indie was attracted to him.

I did like that Indie was so determined. She knew what she wanted and she would stop at nothing to get it. I thought her volunteering to babysit the son of the editor in chief of Celebrity Style was realistic (I can easily imagine myself doing the same thing to get closer to someone who can offer me something I want). I also liked that Indie was so proud of her Indian culture. She didn't try to hide it and while she had a few embarrassing encounters, she wasn't ashamed to be Indian. She acknowledges that she may not be "the ideal Indian daughter" who always makes her parents happy, but she tries. Another thing that I enjoyed was that the parents weren't useless in the novel. They made Indie think through their advice, warnings and actions. I thought it was interesting that Indie's mom didn't wear saris, she wore jeans and oversized t-shirts. She never pressured Indie to celebrate any part of their Indian culture that she didn't want to. Therefore, Indie doesn't feel confused or too out of step with her traditional parents. Her father is also fairly modern (or American I guess you could say) and is open to new ideas. I think this is part of the reason as to why Indie embraces her Indian culture, she follows the Indian customs she loves and doesn't worry about the ones that bother her. Another one of my favorite parts of Indie Girl was reading about the emerging fashion scene in India.

Indie Girl is a fluffy, cheerful story about following your dreams and learning to stand up for yourself. The characters aren't especially well developed, but the involved parents and evil boss are a bit more fleshed out and since they really effect Indie that's ok. The romantic interest needed to have some more depth though. This story is low on action and can be a bit baffling but it's not meant to be deep and it's simply fun. Fans of chick lit will particularly enjoy this book.

Throwback Thursday was created by Taste Life Twice (they've been sadly MIA lately). In this meme I read books that I may have missed growing up, from 2007 or earlier.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Lighter Side of Life and Death

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Thanks Jill!

This week I'm waiting on....


The Lighter Side of Life and Death by C.K. Kelly Martin


Release Date: May 25, 2010

Acclaimed YA author C. K. Kelly Martin offers a sexy, soulful story of one confused boy, two girls, and all the complications that ensue in this romantic feel-good love story that celebrates friendship, first love, first lust, and second chances.

Sixteen-year-old Mason Rice is having the night of his life. He's just delivered an incredible performance in the school play, basked in celebratory afterglow vibes at the party of the year, and lost his virginity to one of his best friends—the gorgeous but previously unobtainable Kat Medina. His dreams are coming true, and the future looks golden.

Unfortunately, Kat sees things very differently. Crossing the friendship line was a big mistake, and all she wants is to forget it and move on, even if that means forgetting Mason altogether. What's a guy to do? Well, if you're Mason, you hang your hopes on the first attractive twenty-three-year-old you cross paths with. At first Mason wonders if he's imagining the chemistry . . until Colette invites him over to her apartment. Suddenly Mason's living in a whole new world. From Amazon.com/books

-I read an excerpt from this book on the author's website. I was already intrigued by the title, (which doesn't seem to fit the subject matter so I want to know how that ties in) and the first chapter only made me want to read more. I think my attention was first drawn to this book because I saw the cover somewhere and it had an African American guy on it (yup that's usually all it takes for me to give a cover a 2nd glance). First lust isn't something I normally read about, but I need to expand my reading in YA and I've already read one positive review of this novel at Good Addiction Finally, I tend to like novels with guy main characters more often than I like novels with girl main characters. Not sure why this is, part of it may be because I love guys' frank sense of humor and easy going ways.

Reading in Color News

My blogaversary is coming up in 3 months (July). I'm not sure what to do. I know I want to have a giveaway if possible and a really great post about a year of Reading in Color, but that's all I've got so far. And perhaps that's enough. I'm not comfortable with asking authors and other bloggers to sing my praises in guest posts (plus if you read my blog, you know that I'm a complete dork with some good moments, haha), but I see many bloggers who do that. I see no problem with that, I love reading guest posts about bloggers, especially bloggers whose blogs I follow regularly and talk to quite often, but I don't think it's for me. Anyone have any suggestions of ways to celebrate my blogaversary?

Girl Overboard

Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley 2008

Rating: 5/5

IQ "Isn't it funny that what the Japanese authors consider their first page is our happily-ever-after last one? When you think about it, it's not a bad way to approach life. What appears to be an ending-heartbreaking wounds that you can and cannot see-may just be a beginning, a start of a brand-new adventure." Syrah pg. 334

Syrah has it all. Her father, Ethan Cheng is a billionaire and Syrah gets whatever she wants. Except money can't buy her health. After a snowboarding accident that keeps her from snowboarding (both physically and mentally) again anytime soon, Syrah really doesn't have anything to occupy her time with. She's a loner; people only want to be friends with her because of her money, her half-siblings resent her, her parents ignore her (unless her mother wants to criticize her weight), her ex-boyfriend only wanted to be with her because of the influence of her father and her best friend's (Adrian) girlfriend is forcing Adrian (nicknamed Age, which I think is an odd nickname) to choose between her and Syrah. It's a lot to deal with, along with nursing her knee back to health.

We need more books like Girl Overboard. A smart heroine with a dry sense of humor who *gasps* actually participates in a sport (but that's another post for another day). This novel could have so easily fallen into the trap of being a "poor little rich girl" novel (the ones where you're supposed to feel sorry for the rich girl, but you really don't because she's a rich brat and you can't wait for karma to kick in....). Fortunately, it avoids the trap. Syrah is quiet, but she does find her voice. Syrah's growth as a character isn't rushed either, it takes her a while to come out of her shell. At first, I was frustrated with her shy and hesitant attitude, especially concerning possible friends. However, as readers delve further into Syrah's backstory, we come to understand why she is so cautious. One of my favorite things about this book is Syrah stepping up to her name's full potential. Syrah is a wine (which I forgot while reading the novel but remembered upon rereading If You Come Softly, where the wine is mentioned) and that's all I'm going to say on that. I thought it was a clever tie-in and one that wine lovers will appreciate. To top it all off, Syrah draws manga. I thought that was very cool and so uncommon to see in YA (honestly, this whole novel is refreshingly uncommon. A rich Asian girl who loves snowboarding). Some of the best scenes are when Syrah describes the thrill snowboarding gives her. Her passion for the sport sweeps through and will make you want to grab a board yourself and join her on the mountains.

Girl Overboard explores deeper issues that were unexpected. I was pleasantly surprised by the author providing glimpses into the life of those who lived during the Cultural Revolution in China. The novel also touches on issues concerning adoption, how girls are viewed in sports (specifically snowboarding), self-esteem and love. A large part of the success of this book in tackling these issues is that it never topples over from seriousness. The novel is lighthearted and the characters play a huge role in making it work so well. All the characters are well developed, including the parents (another rarity in YA). The reader gains a clear picture of Syrah's parents and there is so much more to them than meets the eye. Syrah is ignored by her parents and is raised by Bao-mu. Bao-mu was a great character too, you would think the nanny would be ignored. That is not the case. Although I did want to learn more about her. The story of the mother completely blew me away, it was so unexpected. Also, I loved that Adrian was Latino. I love interracial friendships :) Then, social justice comes out of nowhere, which I also adored.

Girl Overboard is realistic fiction at its finest, complete with authentic characters, self-esteem, friendships, love, culture, activism and sports all neatly presented in a snow globe (how about that comparison? haha). The only disappointing thing was no romantic closure. Which isn't really a disappointment since life is an open book (Oh cliches! How I adore you so), but I was personally rooting for a decisive outcome. This novel has so much more to it than meets the eye, go buy it now! This is one of my top read books of 2010. I loved it so much. But enough raving on my part, I'll wait till you get the book and rave about. 8th grade and up

While I've read and loved North of Beautiful (I need to re-read it and review it), I think Girl Overboard is my favorite book by Justina Chen Headley (so far). I still need to read Nothing But the Truth (And a Few White Lies).

Spoiler: Highlight to read: If you've read the book, do you not agree that one of the best scenes is when Syrah says to Jared "There is no such thing as a free lunch. And by the way, I would never have been your free pass to Paradise." Then she stares at Jared "so that I'll remember him him clearly; [...' tall, dark, and totally dumb-founded." pg. 286 Syrah then hands him the hot chocolate and walks away. When I read this, I danced around the room chanting "girl power!"

Male Monday: Jim & Me

Jim & Me (Baseball Card Adventures) by Dan Gutman 2008
HarperCollins

Rating: 4/5

IQ "'Whenever I mess up, they say my brain isn't as smart as a white man's.' Jim said. 'And when I do good, they say I'm a savage who was raised with a fighting spirit. But I'm a man, just like any other.'" Jim pg. 143

In Jim & Me, Joey Stoshack (nicknamed Stosh) is approached by his arch-nemesis, Bobby Fuller for a favor. Bobby wants Stosh to take him back in time to meet his great grandfather, Jim Thorpe. Stosh can travel through time when he touches a baseball card, Bobby was an accidental witness to this (long story and this is the first book I read in the series even though it's not the first one). Bobby wants to clear Jim's name. Jim was considered the greatest athlete in the world, people didn't care that he was Native American. However, Thorpe lost all his 1912 Olympic medals in a scandal and people don't look too kindly upon him. Stosh puts aside his misgivings and agrees to help; only because he wants to meet Jim Thorpe, Christy Mathewson, John McGraw and all the other great New York Giants. But once they arrive, all the boys do is argue.

The story was quite enjoyable. I learned a lot about Jim Thorpe, baseball, and the state of athletic competitions in the early 1900s. It wasn't fair; Jim lost his medals because he wasn't considered an amateur since he had played baseball previously to participating in the Olympics and got paid for it. this made him a professional. The point is made in the book (and I completely agree) that this would never hold up today. Can you imagine only having amateurs participating in the Olympics? It would be interesting but not as exciting. Jim Thorpe was an amazing athlete; he ran track (he did everything from pole vaulting to running to throwing the javelin), played football, basketball and baseball. His reputation was ruined when his medals were taken away, except that baseball teams wanted to hire him to sell more seats. Jim ended up joining the New York Giants and it was not a good fit.

I was astonished and amused by the baseball games during the 1900s. It was basically a free for all and everyone broke the rules (well the rules we have today, there weren't really any rules back then). For example, during a game, John McGraw asks the pitcher if he can see the ball. The pitcher hesitates, but then throws McGraw the ball. McGraw doesn't touch it, he simply urges the runner on third to "go!" This was considered legal because "If you throw away the ball, you're a fool." This book also handles the issue of racism quite well. Jim faces derogatory remarks not only from the opposing side fans, but from his own fans as well (see the IQ above). Also, some coaches tried to pass African American players off as Native Americans since African Americans were barred from playing baseball at this time. Jim wasn't that great of a baseball player; he excelled at other sports, but baseball was not his thing. It didn't help that his manager, John McGraw was a jerk (not completely) and didn't work well with Jim.

Jim & Me is a satisfying read that immerses readers in the world of the 1900s through baseball, racism and the setting. Some facts shared may be lost on non-baseball fans or even people who like baseball but don't know the complete history of the game (like me). I also liked how the contemporary storyline did not get lost in the past, Stosh and Bobby have their ups and their downs. They make some pretty crazy accusations against one another, but they are entertaining to read about. "Boys" *shakes head in amusement* I decided to read this book because my brother really likes this series. He doesn't like to read and will only read books about sports AND they have to be a series. I know, he's weird. Anyway, I was curious to read a book in the series that got him reading and the series is pretty diverse (Stosh has other books where he meets Satchel Paige, Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson), so I was thrilled. 4th grade and up.

PS I think this review came off as a more of a history lesson. Sorry!

New Crayons & Awards

New Crayons is a meme crated by susan at Color Online. In this meme I share what new books I got this week. I only received one book this week, but that's good because I have so much to read!

This week, I was honored to have a fantastic blogger visit.

A blogger spotlight with Maggie from Bibiliophilia-Maggie's Bookshelf

Maggie's amazing guest post on white guilt and white privilege

From the Publisher (Henry Holt & Co.)


Toads & Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

Diribani has come to the village well to get water for her family's scant meal of curry and rice. She never expected to meet a goddess there. Yet she is granted a remarkable gift: Flowers and precious jewels drop from her lips whenever she speaks.

It seems only right to Tana that the goddess judged her kind, lovely stepsister worthy of such riches. And when she encounters the goddess, she is not surprised to find herself speaking snakes and toads as a reward.

Blessings and curses are never so clear as they might seem, however. Diribani’s newfound wealth brings her a prince—and an attempt on her life. Tana is chased out of the village because the province's governor fears snakes, yet thousands are dying of a plague spread by rats. As the sisters' fates hang in the balance, each struggles to understand her gift. Will it bring her wisdom, good fortune, love . . . or death?

-I WoWd this a little while ago so I'm really happy to get it. Have I mentioned how much I love the cover? It's so pretty! I love the henna on the hands and the gorgeous flower.

Summary from Amazon.com

Awards

This is so belated. I apologize if I don't mention your award. You can remind me and I can update this post. I went as far back as I remembered. I really have to stop letting awards pile up. I apologize to everyone whose given me an award!


A Prolific Blogger is someone who is constantly reading and blogging and being engaged in the community. They write some very thoughtful and interesting posts and they are leaving comments and visiting new blogs as often as they can.

I received this award from Katy at A Few More Pages. Thanks so much Katy, it means a lot!

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to This Post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award. You must also add your name to the Mr. Linky so that we can all get to know the other winners.

I'm passing this on to...

1. Ah Yuan at Gal Novelty
2. Nathalie at Multiculturalism Rocks!
3. April at Good Books & Good Wine
4. Maggie at Bibliophilia-Maggie's Bookshelf
5. Jill at O.W.L.
6. Heather at the Secret Adventures of Writer Girl
7. Karen at KazMahoney

Beautiful Blogger Award. I received this from Maggie. Thanks so much!

The Rules

1. Thank and link the blogger who sent you this award

2. State 7 things about yourself

3. Pass this on to 15 other bloggers (15?!) who you think rock.

4. Contact the bloggers and let them know about the award

I'm passing this on to


1. Jenny at Jenny's Books
2. Niranjana at Brown Paper
3. Jodie at BookGazing
4. Vasilly at 1330v
5. Rachel at BookLove: Teen
6. Pam at Bookalicious
7. Charlotte at Charlotte's Library
8. Jan at Eating Y.A. Books
9. Akilah at the Englishist
10. Abby at Abby(the) Libriarian
11. Lauren at I Was a Teenage Book Geek
12. Kris at Voracious YAppetite
13. Monica at The Bibliophilic Book Blog
14. Taschima at Bloody Bookaholic
15. Lizzy at Bookmarked

Seven Things about Me-My Most random list yet!

1. I'm really forgetful (hence belated award posts!)

2. I think Michelle Bachmann is an idiot.

3. I love writing with Sharpies

4. I can't pronounce words to save my life; hypocrite, ignorant, chemise. I know what they mean, but I don't say them right.

5. I'm a procrastinator (I should be typing an extra credit essay right now)

6. I hate how politics doesn't seem to be about helping people anymore. It's all partisan and ridiculous. They all need to straighten up and work together. Please and thank you

7. I love spring when I'm not in school.


Maggie also gave me the Happy 101 award. Thank you! I've gotten it already and I just don't feel like passing it on. Anyone who wants, take it :)

I'm still searching for other awards I've gotten that I forgot to post, so this post will be edited. The good thing about searching older posts is I'm reading and replying to comments I may have missed.

Or maybe not. Coming up with blogs and trying not to pass on awards to bloggers who've already received them is hard work. And I'm lazy. Ah well

Guest Post: White Privilege

Today I have an amazing guest post from Maggie who blogs at Bibliophilia-Maggie's Bookshelf. You remember Maggie? I gave her the spotlight yesterday

Take it away Maggie!

I don’t really remember not being aware of the white privilege. I think I was five when I read my first book on Martin Luther King Jr., the same year I started public school kindergarten in the suburbs of Richmond, VA. Not to disparage Richmond, VA, because it’s a beautiful city, but in Richmond, people wave giant Confederate flags in the middle of the road. It’s kind of hard not to be aware, even in kindergarten, that as a middle-class white girl you are being treated differently than your black peers. To be fair, I should say treated by some, not all. To be fair, I should also say PoC peers, but I honestly don’t remember any “colors” besides black and white in my admittedly narrow experiences that year.

Two months into my first semester as a public school kindergartner, I transferred to private school. There was one black kid in my class, who I remember really rubbed me the wrong way. But I remember feeling guilty that he rubbed me the wrong way, because as a black person, wasn’t he entitled to some standard of better five-year-old behavior from me? Yeah, I know. I was a messed-up, anal-retentive five-year-old.

Now that I’m ten years older, and hopefully wiser, and have spent those years in a very different social position from my peers—after kindergarten, my mom started homeschooling me—I’ve realized that this was a somewhat counterproductive reaction. I spent the next four years that I lived in Virginia paralyzed with guilt, obsessed with studying the Civil War, the civil
rights movement, and the seizure of lands from Native Americans by the U.S. government, and constantly worried that I would make some kind of racist or ignorant remark around my friends and neighbors. (Not many of whom were black, and none of whom were of Native American descent.)

I read novel after novel about the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, and the Trail of Tears. If a book had anything remotely PoC related in it, I devoured it. I was dead set on becoming the most racially open-minded kid my age. And in trying that hard, I became so politically correct that I’d feel terribly awkward in any social situation involving someone who was not white. I don’t remember being too freaked out at my bi-racial godmother’s wedding, where I was the flower girl—I think I was distracted by my pretty dress and the blister the
shoes gave me—but I do remember looking back on the pictures and thinking, what did they think of me? Did I say something insensitive? Did I?

When my parents decided to move back to their roots in small-town Minnesota before their divorce, my obsession sort of died. I had emotional trauma to deal with, and besides, there aren’t that many people of color where I live. It became a moot point. Until very recently, when I suddenly realized that I live 30 miles away from a prominent Ojibwe Indian reservation, and a whole new kind of cultural history.

I visited the excellent Indian museum there, and started doing my own research. And even though the tone of the museum certainly wasn’t an accusing one, I could start to feel my old, buried guilt creeping back to me. I found myself hunching over while I walked around the museum with my friends in the homeschool group I was part of at the time, like I was being invited into something sacred that I didn’t deserve to be a part of. I just about melted into a puddle of mortification on the floor when my Minnesota history “teacher”—another homeschooling mom—decided to read the essay on the Ojibwe I’d written for her class to one of the employees of the museum, part-Ojibwe herself.

Then I realized: What am I achieving by feeling guilty? I haven’t enslaved anyone, or stolen someone’s land, or exploited their cultural heritage. So why do I feel so bad? I decided that, every time I started feeling guilty about being entitled to the white privilege, I’d do something to help stop it instead. That way, maybe, I wouldn’t feel so ashamed of my blond hair, green eyes, and pale skin every time I walked into a room with someone different than me. It’s
been a tough decision to hold to. It is so much easier to feel guilty for the actions of your ancestors than to take an action that you and your descendants can be proud of.

But really, those actions are not so tough to take. They can be small. They can be as simple as reading a good book about someone different than you, giving it the same weight you give a book about a protagonist with a racial and cultural background you share, and then sharing your honest opinion with others. Spread the word about PoC lit, especially YA PoC lit, where colorful
protagonists are notoriously difficult to find. Especially after finding Ari’s blog and those like it, it’s what I intend to do as often as I can! Demand accurate cover portrayals of the characters in your favorite novels, and make sure that publishers and bookstores understand that it’s just as profitable to sell books about PoC’s as it is to sell books about white people. Then, maybe, we’ll be a little bit closer to a world where no person of color has to face discrimination, and no white person has to feel guilty for being the beneficiary of that discrimination.

Thank you so much, Ari, for giving me the opportunity to guest post here! =)

Thank you Maggie for sharing such a thoughtful post on the sometimes uncomfortable and ignored issue of white guilt and white privilege. I completely agree that if every white person, acknowledged their white privilege and then did something positive to help change it, the world would be a better place. It would lead to a huge step in understanding between people.

Blogger Spotlight! Maggie's Bookshelf

To be featured in the blogger spotlight (name suggestions?) email me.

Today's blogger spotlight is focused on Maggie from Bibliophilia-Maggie's Bookshelf

Maggie is committed to reading, writing and social justice. Her reviews are just the right length. She actively promotes POC in literature and from her I've found a plethora of information (mostly her tweets, seriously follow her on Twitter!) about various events and issues in the YA, adult literature and POC world. We've had some wonderful and enlightening discussions.

1) Please tell us about Maggie's Bookshelf

I actually had two book blogs before this one, neither of which caught on - I think I managed to both over and under-think them, the names were bad (Wordfire and Seshat's Scroll), and they were more like diaries than real blogs. So Maggie's Bookshelf happened because I figured, third time's a charm, and I couldn't go wrong with that name. =) As far as why I've stuck with this one, I like the community aspects of blogging I've discovered, especially when it comes to connecting with other teenage writers and bloggers. I hope my posts and reviews reflect that - I love getting comments, and I love the idea of maybe sharing a book with someone that becomes their new favorite!

2) What 2010 debut book are you most looking forward to? Non-debut?

Ooh, I have such a hard time with questions like these. There are a few books I look forward to, but really, it's more what catches my interest at the time, no matter when it came out. For the debut...I know it was already released, but I think it debuted in 2010, and I really want to read it: Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz really sounds like my kind of book. I'd love to see more YA fiction that explores a teen's sexual orientation, and besides, I've heard it's just plain good. As far as non-debut? It's a no-brainer! I'm dying to read Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins when it comes out in August! I'm of the opinion that she should be fined, or placed behind bars, or something, for daring to write the ending to Catching Fire that cliff-hanger-y.

3) What are your top five favorite POC books?

If we're counting adult books, Octavia Butler is my favorite writer ever, period. So her books would trump. But if we're not, then probably the Octavian Nothing books by M.T. Anderson first, and then Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (oops - is that adult? It read like YA), Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Fisher Staples, Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind also by Suzanne Fisher Staples, and Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann in no particular order. Wait, that's six. Love them all anyway. =)

4) Tell us about yourself :)

I'm homeschooled, in high school, and I spend 50% of the average day either reading or writing. I'm very lucky to have supportive (read that lenient) parents who let me do that, but I think it's maybe because they hope to retire on the J.K. Rowling style royalties they believe I'll one day receive. I haven't broken it to them that I don't think I'm that good/lucky, but I hope to become a full-time writer sometime anyway - I'm currently working on a YA sci-fi novel. If that doesn't work out, then I'd like to be an ethnobotanist, which is someone who studies how native people use plants. I'd like to do this in South America, because after all, I'd better be using all this Spanish I'm learning for something! =) I hope I'll always have a book blog, and I hope I never get over the mini-high of getting an ARC in the mail, or a new follower (on the blog, not in the mail). And I hope I can keep reading good books, and find a more diverse cast of characters in them - that's what really makes my day!

5) If you could have dinner with any two POC characters from any book who would it be and why?

Serious dinner or fun dinner? Serious dinner - Octavian Nothing, because he's smart and can play mean violin. I'd probably feel stupid and wish I hadn't quit violin every minute I spent in his presence. And I'd invite Lauren Olamina from Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, because she's also smart and ambitious and interesting, and we'd have a lot to talk about. But just for a fun dinner? Dimple and Karsh from Born Confused. That would be hilarious.

Finally, any advice to those who want to read POC and don't know where to start? Any advice for those just starting to blog?

If you want to read PoC, I don't have much advice, other than read Ari's blog, where you're reading this right now. That's where I find a lot of the books I want to read! =) And maybe go to the library and bookstore, scan covers, and read inside flaps. Read about someone different than you!

When it comes to blogging...hmm. When it comes to blogging, I'm bad at taking advice, so that means I'm probably bad at giving it. I've had to mess around and figure out what works for me! But if you wanted to start a blog, I'd say get a blog, blog a lot, and don't worry about whether or not you sound stupid. Make friends with people, especially on Twitter! (I tweet obsessively @mdesmondobrien). And, REVIEW ALL THAT POC LITERATURE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE HEARD ABOUT. I like finding blogs that review books I've never heard of. If I see those books at the library or at a bookstore, I'm ten times as likely to pick them up. So don't just do what everyone else is doing, otherwise blogs like this wouldn't exist!

Thank you so much for having me, Ari!

Don't you just love her?! And did I mention that Maggie is not a POC? She's one of the best examples of a reader and blogger who reads books about POC, she doesn't just read what she knows, she widens her horizons. It's one of the many things that make her fantastic. I also love her sense of humor (I like how she has a serious dinner and a fun dinner). I too, would love to talk to Octavian, his life is truly fascinating. I must read Born Confused! Maggie is a fifteen year old who is going places! I can't wait to see I knew her way back when :) Go visit her blog, Bibliophilia-Maggie's Bookshelf so that you are able to say the same =)

Throwback Thursday: If You Come Softly

If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson 1998

Penguin/Speak

Rating: 5/5

IQ "I'd marry you tomorrow. Isn't that crazy? How much...you know, how much I love you?" Ellie pg. 167

If You Come Softly is a love story. Ellie is white, wealthy (though not born into money) and Jewish, Miah (short for Jeremiah) is black and wealthy (the only son of two famous parents). "From their first glance to their first words to each other to their first kiss, they could tell you exactly how it happened-in their hearts and in their souls." (back cover) They are in love, but their families don't seem to understand this love, however most of their friends are supportive. They are both tired of the curious and sometimes hostile stares. Why can't their love just be accepted?

The story is told in alternating points of view; Ellie's from the first person and Miah from the third person. Ellie is an awkward, shy fifteen year old who is dealing with some issues; besides these new feelings she is having over a boy (a Black boy no less), she is also struggling to trust her mother, Marion. Marion has left Ellie and the rest of her family twice. Just packed up and left. Ellie is the youngest (the "little accident"); the twins are ten years older than she and her two oldest siblings, Marc and Susan were in graduate school when she was born. "I got used to being alone early on." Ellie has a hard time letting go of the past, she expects her mother to pack up and leave again and this time not come back. Jeremiah has his own struggles; coming to terms with being a black boy (man) in America and his parents being divorced (and living right across the street from each other! Can you say awkwarrrrd?).

I loved this book. The writing is lyrical, it seems to just flow along. Ellie and Miah fall in love, readers fall in love with this book. The author then proceeds to break Ellie and Miah's hearts as well as the hearts of the readers. You meet so many other great secondary characters who all seem to deserve books of their own; Marion, Carlton (Miah's biracial best friend) and Anne (Ellie's lesbian older sister). If You Come Softly discusses white privilege "Thing about white people, 'Jeremiah's father tells him' "they know exactly what everyone else is, but they don't know that they're white." , along with being the child of divorced parents, abandonment issues and coming of age. I loved reading about a Black boy whose parents were around and who wasn't wallowing in poverty. Those stories are needed and they are good and often unforgettable, but I do think that the stories of people of color in the middle to upper class have been ignored and they need to be told too. The full experience of people of color should be represented in literature.

This was my first Woodson book, but will surely not be my last. For all those who are unfamiliar with Jacqueline Woodson's work and her stellar reputation I will sum up If You Come Softly thus so: all the elements that make Perfect Chemistry great with a sweeter side, less sexual tension and a devastating ending. A true love story that chronicles the beauty of first love as well as the ups and downs of love not just between guys and girls, but between parents and friends. Along with love, the novel explores racial tensions; the complexity involved in interracial relationships, white privilege and the hardships that black males face. I had tears in my eyes and was sniffling a bit at the end. Achingly lovely. 7th grade and up

Disclosure: Received as a prize from susan at Color Online

Throwback Thursday is a meme started by Tashi at Taste Life Twice. For this meme, I review books from 2007 and back.

PS There is a sequel Behind You (do NOT Google it if you haven't read If You Come Softly. The ending will be spoiled). I'm going to have to rush to the library and get it. Also, the cover shown below is the cover of the book that I own. I like both covers, but I like the above cover even more. Which cover do you like more?

Waiting on Wednesday: Sellout + Winner & My Thoughts

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm waiting on....


Sellout by Ebony Joy Wilkins

Release Date: July 1, 2010

NaTasha has a wonderful life in affluent Park Adams. She fits in, she has friends, and she's a member of the all-white ballet troupe. Being nearly the only African American in her school doesn't bother NaTasha. But it bothers Tilly, NaTasha's spitfire grandmother from Harlem, who decides NaTasha needs to get back to her roots or her granddaughter is in danger of losing herself completely. Tilly whisks NaTasha away to a world where all of a sudden nothing in NaTasha's life makes any sense: Harlem and Comfort Zone in the Bronx, a crisis center where Tilly volunteers her time to help troubled girls get on the right track. Girls who are completely unlike anyone NaTasha has ever encountered. These girls are rough, beautiful, streetwise, sure of themselves, and wield their secrets like knives--and they dislike NaTasha and her world of privilege with a passion.

If there is ever a time when NaTasha feels like running away from something, now is it. But she doesn't. She stands her ground. And what she discovers surprises everyone, especially NaTasha.

-Story of many a POC's life. I'm almost positive that most of us have been called sellouts, maybe not to our faces, but we know people say it about us. Anyway, this novel sounds like one I could really connect to (the sellout aspect, the dancing, being one of few black girls at a school). Plus Tilly sounds like shes going to be quite a character; I love spitfire grandmothers!

The winner of the Spring Break sponsored by snubbr.com giveaway is.... (as chosen by random.org)

Annica!

Congrats and thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. Stay tuned for another (bigger) one in May. Annica, I'll be emailing you shortly (or if you see this post before I email you, feel free to email me). You have 48 hours to email me your mailing adress.

Also, thank you all for the suggestions. They were quite helpful; some I already knew needed to be improved on; three columns, better layout and more sci fi/fantasy books reviewed. There were some welcome surprises; to include lists of books by regions around the world and more series reviews. I won't be able to work on my layout until the summer when I have time to mess with. I'm definitely going to make a more conscious effort to review YA/MG books about POC that are sci fi/fantasy. Also, I'm not sure if there are a lot of YA/MG series about POC (recommendations are welcomed and totally encouraged!), but I will search for them :) I think during the summer I'm also going to make reference lists of books about African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos and Native Americans. I will update these lists regularly. As well as work on lists of books about people based on their country or region of the world. Finally, someone asked for a review of Liar. I've already done one and you can read it here (another thing I want to work on over the summer is creating pages for my reviews by title and author).

Whew, I'm going to be busy! But a good kind of busy. I'll create a post later on with a list of things to do over the summer concerning Reading in Color.

Rules of Attraction

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles 2010 ARC
#2 in Perfect Chemistry Trilogy

Release Date: Today!

Rating: 4/5

IQ "When he does, she [Mildred] closes her eyes and reaches out to touch his face, this time more slowly, almost tracing it with her fingers. Carlos is still, letting her fantasize about going back to a happier time and pretend for the moment that she's touching her husband's face instead of Carlos's. {...} Carlos nods in silent understanding at the gift he just gave her." pg. 167

The IQ is from one of my favorite scenes. For those of you who've read, it's the scene in the retirement home, where Kiara helps out. So cute. We start to learn more about the characters and they learn more about each other.

Rules of Attraction properly introduces Carlos, Alex's younger brother from Perfect Chemistry. You don't need to have read Perfect Chemistry (though it's my favorite and I highly recommend you read it) to follow Rules of Attraction. We met Carlos when he was in middle school, now he's sixteen. Carlos Fuentes does not want to reform, he enjoys being a rebel and wants to spend his life living on the edge. Carlos' mom is worried about him so she sends him to Colorado to live with Alex. However, Carlos' ties to a Mexican gang make him a valuable asset to a drug lord who sets him up. Alex realizes he can't control Carlos so he sends him to live with his former professor and his family. The daughter of the former professor, Kiara, is different from all the other girls, Carlos has ever met. Carlos can't fully escape the danger around him and Kiara can't help him if he won't let her. "he's shocked to discover that it's this seemingly All-American family who can save him." (last line from ARC back cover)

My one and only problem with Rules of Attraction is that it's too similar to Perfect Chemistry for my tastes. I was really hoping that it would be different. After only one book, I'm tired of the star-crossed lovers being a white girl and a Mexican guy. I'm tired of the Mexican guy being all tough and the white girl being all naive and caring and still fitting into a stereotype. It's going to be a trilogy, since there are three Fuentes brothers. I hope Luis (the youngest) falls in love with someone different. A girl who is not white, or who is overweight, or disabled or not a virgin. Something different. With gender role reversals. Kiara doesn't see herself as skinny, but she didn't sound curvy or overweight either. She seemed to be more on the athletic side (she's a runner! And Carlos describes her body as "to kill for"). I'm ready for Luis to be the sweet, caring guy and for the girl to be unwilling to be loved. I may be tired of all this because I'm not really a romance fan. A minor thing, that I'm sure will be fixed, is some grammatical errors in Spanish. For example Carlos tells his brother, Alex "usted es estupido". It should be tu (with an accent). Tu means you, usted means you, but it's formal. You wouldn't use usted with your older brother. I haven't read a finished copy so the errors may have been caught. Or I could be wrong, usted is very confusing.

What I did like about Rules of Attraction was that there was less action, which I wasn't sure I would like at first, but it gave the readers a better chance to really get to know the characters. Carlos, Kiara, Mr. Westford (Kiara's dad), Brandon (Kiara's cute little brother), Tuck (Kiara's gay best friend) and others. The minor characters are more than stock figures and once again, Simone Elkeles has captured the voices of teenagers. I loved almost all the characters. Even though Kiara is the stereotypical slender and smart, she is different from other girls because she loves cars. She drives a vintage car and loves working on it to fix it up. Also she has a stutter and I sympathized with her as she struggled to deal with that. I'm not really a fan of bad boys, so Carlos' behavior made me laugh, but I also wanted him to be nicer! However, I wouldn't want him to change. I also enjoyed reading about Alex and Brittany. They make re-appearances that don't overshadow the main characters, but they don't fade into the background either. The story moves quickly and the romance is definitely one of the best parts.

Rules of Attraction avoids being the same ol' star-crossed lovers story by having realistic characters, some action in the plot and a sweet/hot romance :) I don't think a sequel to Perfect Chemistry was necessary (I feel like this review is repetitive), and neither was the epilogue. The ending is rather clear on its own. This is my 2nd book by Simone Elkeles and I really admire how well she's done in writing about Mexican culture and language, along with gangs and life in high school. I found all those aspects to be authentic and she writes some really great romance scenes as well! (The cover is awesome). High school and up (some mature sexual situations, nothing you wouldn't see in high school).

Disclosure: Received from Lyn to review for the Multicultural Review (MCR).