Thursday, February 28, 2019

#AmReading YA

Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee
Jeff Zentner
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
A contemporary novel about two best friends who must make tough decisions about their futures--and the TV show they host--in their senior year of high school.

Every Friday night, best friends Delia and Josie become Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood, hosts of the campy creature feature show Midnite Matinee on the local cable station TV Six.

But with the end of senior year quickly approaching, the girls face tough decisions about their futures. Josie has been dreading graduation, as she tries to decide whether to leave for a big university and chase her dream career in mainstream TV. And Lawson, one of the show's guest performers, a talented MMA fighter with weaknesses for pancakes, fantasy novels, and Josie, is making her tough decision even harder.

Scary movies are the last connection Delia has to her dad, who abandoned the family years ago. If Midnite Matinee becomes a hit, maybe he'll see it and want to be a part of her life again. And maybe Josie will stay with the show instead of leaving her behind, too.

As the tug-of-war between growing up and growing apart tests the bonds of their friendship, Josie and Delia start to realize that an uncertain future can be both monstrous...and momentous.
THIS book is yet another example of why I will continue to read every book Jeff Zentner writes. He made me laugh, he made me cry, he made me care, and he did so well.

Many upper YA books take on those BIG life changes that teens that age face. The end of high school brings many new beginnings, but some beginnings are accompanied by endings. Delia and Josie may have been best friends, but they now found themselves on divergent paths.

For Josie it meant leaving home and leaving Delia. She would have to adjust to a new city, a new school, new friends, a new job, and a life with a lot less Delia. She was dealing with all the anxiety that accompanies leaving the nest, but she was also weighed down with a lot of guilt when it came to Delia.

Delia had been dealing with feelings of abandonment for over a decade, since her father left and never looked back. He left, her other best friend left, and now Josie was going to leave too. My heart totally went out to Delia. It's never fun being the one left behind, and when your own father can up and sever all ties with you, what would keep someone, who is only a friend from doing the same? She just broke my heart, and I wanted to give her the most fierce hugs a person could give, over and over again.

Yes, my heart broke a little, BUT, not to worry, because let me tell you, most of this book is chockfull of hilarity. Delia and Josie were such a fantastic pair. I adored the way they played off each other and their Seinfeldesque discussions about nothing were a thing of beauty.

Zentner also gave us a most wonderful love interest with Lawson. Gosh! He immediately captured my heart, and my love for him just grew and grew with every one of his on page appearances. He had all those soft boy qualities I love, as well as being an MMA fighter and an avid SFF reader. He was sweet and lovely and he wore his heart on his sleeve. Oh, and, the romance was precious and perfect.

I will admit, Orlando was a mixed bag for me. The stuff with Devine took a real over the top turn, but the chapters that followed were so beautiful and emotional, that I just didn't really care what happened before that. Zentner did some wonderful things for these characters in those last few chapters. I found myself simultaneously shedding happy and sad tears as I sported a HUGE grin.

Other things I loved:
  • Buford  
  • Arliss
  • The Random Josie Observations test
  • Improbable animal encounters 🐘 + 🐬
  • "Fan" mail
  • Road trip
  • Nods to The Serpent King and Goodbye Days
Overall: This was a beautiful story about friendship, love, moving on, and letting go. It was about beginnings and endings and appreciating the lessons learned along the way.

The Quiet You Carry
Nikki Barthelmess
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Flux
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
Victoria Parker knew her dad's behavior toward her was a little unusual, but she convinced herself everything was fine—until she found herself locked out of the house at 3:00 a.m., surrounded by flashing police lights.

Now, dumped into a crowded, chaotic foster home, Victoria has to tiptoe around her domineering foster mother, get through senior year at a new school, and somehow salvage her college dreams . . . all while keeping her past hidden.

But some secrets won't stay buried—especially when unwanted memories make Victoria freeze up at random moments and nightmares disrupt her sleep. Even worse, she can't stop worrying about her stepsister Sarah, left behind with her father. All she wants is to move forward, but how do you focus on the future when the past won't leave you alone?
Victoria just had to make it through her final year of high school, and then, she would be able to enjoy the freedom, that comes with attending college, but instead, she found herself thrust into the foster care system following an altercation with her father, which had left her watching her future slip out of reach.

I had no idea this was an own voices book, when I requested it, though, I am not surprised. There was quite a bit of insight shared and, shared in a way, I have yet to see in other books involving foster children. Barthelmess brought me into the process, rules, and frustrations surrounding foster care. She showed the upside and downside, and it always came across as honest and fair to me.

This book had a HUGE emotional impact on me. I so clearly felt Victoria's fear, shame, distress, and hopelessness surrounding her situation. I also got a good sense of her strength, determination, and hope, which she tried not to let ebb, as she attempted to rebuild her life and continue to pursue her dreams.

I won't lie and say this book was light, because it was not. The book dealt with many heavy issues, but it wasn't all grim. Seeing Victoria continue to fight for her future was probably one of the things I loved most, and it kept me very hopeful. Barthelmess also gave Victoria a small group of great and supportive friends, an extremely sweet romantic interest, and some really encouraging educators to help her along the way.

But, what I loved most was the ending. This was the payoff for the pain and tears shed. There was lots of closure and hope for the future, but the author also let some characters redeem themselves. I don't know, it was important for me to know, that not everyone was the villain they appeared to be.

Overall: A story that was equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking, but also hopeful and a tribute to how much power honesty, kindness, and friendship hold.

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever watch your cable access channel?
Let us know in the comments!

32 comments:

  1. Jeff Zentner has a new book? Where have I been and how did I not know this?! Omg. Both of these sound amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Zentner and he is living up to the legend in my mind

      Delete
  2. I’m so excited for Jeff Zentner’s new book, even though I haven’t read his second one yet because I’m a slacker. Great reviews!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't like Goodbye Days as much as TSK and Rayne & Delilah, but I think it was because it was a really sad story. Still great though

      Delete
  3. Sounds like you are were not the only one wanting to read Zentner's new book. Glad you enjoyed it.
    sherry @ fundinmental

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So good. I am so grateful for that late NG approval

      Delete
  4. I quickly hopped over to my library to add Zentner to my "for later" shelf, Sam. Rayne & Delilah's Midnight Matinee sounds like an incredible story and one that's very relevant in my household as my two youngest graduate in about 2.5 months and then are heading to college some 1200-1400 miles away. Thanks for sharing a lovely review and many reasons to pick up the book. :)
    As for The Quiet You Carry...it also was added to my tbr because despite it's deep and difficult topic, it's about a system that needs work and more people need to be made aware of the issues. I love that there's a payoff in the end and that Victoria had such a great group of friends. I'm sure that balanced out the emotions of the book. Awesome review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both were great, and I like that we have The Quiet You Carry for all the reasons you mentioned

      Delete
  5. I am a huge Zentner fan and can't wait to read his latest.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loved Zentner's book! I need to read more from him stat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adored all three! Be prepared, the other two are heartbreaking.

      Delete
  7. I haven't heard of either of these, but The Quiet You Carry sounds really good!! Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always like when authors can spotlight issues that don't get a ton of attention and the fact that the author, herself, went through the system makes it an even more relevant read for me

      Delete
  8. I am going to have to get my hands on Jeff Zentner's new book. I am kind of bummed that I missed out on requesting a copy. So glad you enjoyed these, Sam!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you liked his other two books, it's a must read if you ask me. I loved just about everything in this story.

      Delete
  9. I should really read Zentner at some point. Rayne and delilah's sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was wonderful, and more fun than his previous two books. Don't get me wrong, there were tears and heartbreaking parts, but there was a lot more levity than in TSK and defiantly more than in Goodbye Days.

      Delete
  10. Oooooo just the synopsis for Rayne and Delilah is a book that I want to read. I have Zentner's debut on my TBR and have heard so much about how he makes readers emotional. As odd as it may sound, I'm happy to hear he does the same in this one as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All his books are so good, but I love that Zentner set out with the intention to make this a funny book, and it's so funny, but also emotional, when it needed to be.

      Delete
  11. I absolutely adored Rayne and Delilah. Like loved. Definitely had all the emotions!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it has usurped TSK as my favorite Zentner

      Delete
  12. The fact that you say R&DMM has beat TSK for your favorite Zentner says a lot. And now I'm going to have to read it. I already want to be second in line to give Delia hugs. And I'm already feeling squishy towards Lawson. Off to check my library for this one. Great review, Sam!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I love funny books, and also, R&D doesn't have anything too tragic in it. In fact, the ending put a perma-smile on my face, it was so sweet. I hope you get to read it!

      Delete
  13. oh the Quite you Carry does sound very emotional the topics are intense and that plus an own story.... PUUFFF! Instant emotional read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was emotional, but one of the things that made me really sad, was the shame the foster children felt because of their situation, a situation that they had no control over.

      Delete
  14. I really need to read the book by Jeff Zentner I own because it sounds like he is an amazing author! I also love the cover of the Quiet you Carry and wow... it sounds like an emotional punch. I recently read a book about the foster care system and it shocked me to see it and the problems with it. Knowing that this one is ownvoices means I want to read it to learn more about the foster industry from someone who has experienced it themselves. Especially as I want to foster in the future and know what I should and shouldn't do as a foster parent *okay that's a long way off but it's something I want to do in the future!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome that you want to foster children at some point in the future. I know in the US, that they are always looking for good homes to place children. And Zentner has earned his spot as one of my favorites. All three of his books were fantastic, in my opinion.

      Delete
  15. First I won't read your review of Jeff's book now as I am waiting for it to land in my mailbox and want to go in blind (will come back once my review will be published ;-)) Second I so agree with you on the Quiet you carry! I also loved the own voice and unique insight of the foster home system. Sophie @bewareofthereader

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would think there would be more books out there about foster children, because many children pass through the system, but there really aren't. I thought it was a solid entry for that topic. I hope you love R&D. It made me smile a whole lot.

      Delete
  16. I love the review of The Quite You Carry. I will have to pick this up. My hubby was adopted and I know it isn't about that but makes me curious especially with my daughter thinking it's a good idea to go into the system and me being close to letting her.

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear things are so tough with your daughter. ((HUGS))

      Delete