Take Back the Skies (Take Back the Skies #1)

Author: Lucy Saxon
Goodreads Rating: 3.38
Pages: 384

 Catherine Hunter is the daughter of a senior government official on the island of Anglya. She’s one of the privileged – she has luxurious clothes, plenty to eat, and is protected from the Collections which have ravaged families throughout the land. But Catherine longs to escape the confines of her life, before her dad can marry her off to a government brat and trap her forever.

So Catherine becomes Cat, pretends to be a kid escaping the Collections, and stows away on the skyship Stormdancer. As they leave Anglya behind and brave the storms that fill the skies around the islands of Tellus, Cat’s world becomes more turbulent than she could ever have imagined, and dangerous secrets unravel her old life once and for all . . .

Event Recap: Openly YA

Books are often solitary things. They don't always have to be. But the crux of reading is that it can't always be enjoyed in a crowd like a movie. So often, you find yourself tucked into a corner in your favorite reading spot (you know the one) grinning like a fool about something your new favorite character just did.

But when you get the chance to go to a book event--well, that changes things. Instead of being alone, suddenly, you're in a movie theatre hysterically laughing at a well-timed joke with a hundred other people. You can experience a book together. You can be introduced to an author for the first time or get a sneak peak (the trailer) of a new book together.

Book events are majestic.

And while book events that are packed and buzzing with people are amazing, it's the quiet ones, small intimate settings that are my favorite.

Yesterday I went to Books and Greetings in Northvale, NJ for the Openly YA NJ stop and felt so comfortable and at home with the authors, laughing a little too loudly and heart soaring at the wisdom that was shared.

Adam Silvera (More Happy Than Not), Will Walton (Anything That Can Happen), James Dawson (This Book Is Gay) and David Levithan (Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story) read from their book and signed copies.

This was a treat for me because I had just missed Adam's launch party at Books of Wonder the night before. :( But this more than made up for it.

Listening to the group read from their stories (including the dramatic reading of Hold Me Closer) was perfect. It's my favorite thing about book events, actually. I feel like the author knows--and by this point probably despises--the words they've set down and so when they share them, they're sharing so much more than just the initial story. They've fought for those words, you know?

And listening to Adam read from More Happy Than Not or Will share the first bit of Anything Can Happen or grin manically and laugh at the witty opening of This Book Is Gay with James (because, dude, he's freaking hilarious) was so much than just hearing their words. And maybe that's the post book-event high talking (you know the giddy feeling when things are just HAPPY?) but I think I got a deeper understanding and connected so much more to what they were reading just by hearing the authors themselves read it. Does that make sense to anyone else?

I wish there had been video of the group's interpretation of Hold Me Closer because it was gold but alas, there is not. I will say this though, thank you for making me laugh. After post-BEA work craziness, I needed it.

I was also struck by the openness and poignant answers the group shared when answering questions. They were quick to laugh but also quick to be honest about their experiences growing up in neighborhoods where coming out as gay was hard or how Will Walton intended his book to be his coming out to his parents. It's my hope that sharing stories like this for generations to come that no child will have to feel afraid to be who they were meant to be and want to be. Stories are how we begin to understand and empathize and I believe all these books are so important to open up discussion about the LGBT+ community and how we can support them.

I'm so happy that I was able to go to this event and cannot wait to read these books. I'll keep you updated on them--I'm sure I'll have wonderful things to say.

If you can, take a look at these titles and the rest of their tour.

And, many thanks to Kenny at Books and Greetings, who is one of the kindness booksellers I know. If you're ever in Bergen County, NJ, this is a quaint, welcoming bookstore you must stop at!

**Please ignore my bad picture taking skills. I will get better. 

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature--hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine--where bloggers share what books are burning up their TBR list.

So, as everyone in the book world knows, last week was BEA.

Those lucky enough to attend were able to get an amazing list of titles, which I'm sure most of you have seen in BEA Haul pictures.

I was amazingly fortunate to get a lot of books that I wanted to get--and some that I didn't think I'd get near!

However, I missed out on a few! (Yes, I know...poor me!) But I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to write a quick post-BEA themed Waiting On Wednesday.

Here's a few titles I wanted to get but didn't at BEA.

1. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This book has been on my radar for a while--and if it's not on yours, please redirect yourself to your TBR list and add this.

Just so you know, I'm expecting to cry through every page of this novel. And the cover? Is so chromatic and stunning.

2. Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti

Who didn't want this novel? I actually haven't read anything by Mr. Westerfeld (Ducks and runs for cover) but this one looks especially epic. I want it. Now.

3. Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins

Every year, I make a BEA book list--I'm a horrible scheduler but I always manage to create a comprehensive list of books I MUST have. Until We Meet Again was top on that list. The concept is so me. It's a Brianna book and I missed it. Damn.

4. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Well, I kind of knew I wasn't going to get this one. I mean, I heard tell that the lines were utterly unmanageable. I figured I wouldn't be able to get it. Oh well. Something to look forward to!

5. Reawakened by Colleen Houck

Oh my. Okay, well, this book wasn't even on my radar until I came home from BEA and saw a few twitter posts about it. Guys, this book was made for me. I was obsessed with Egypt as a kid--The Mummy and The Mummy Returns played frequently on our TV screens. I need this. Tomorrow. Please?

6. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Ugh, I cannot believe I missed this one. I'm pretty angry about it because again, it was one of my top BEA hopes. I mean, it sounds epic. So why didn't I epically grab it at BEA? #isuck

Top Ten (plus) Books I Want Made Into Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish where bloggers share lists--because what blogger doesn't like a good list?

~*~

When I start a book, I immediately cast characters, usually with great overlap. I mean, Chris Pine is perfect for EVERY role, right? This TTT was made for me.

1. These Broken Stars/This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. 

How cinematic are these books? PRETTY DAMN CINEMATIC. And after reading an interview with the authors on the possibility of a TV Show--where they named Chris Pine as an ideal Tarver Merendsen--I was sold.

2. The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

I need this to be made into a movie YESTERDAY. Seriously. I can imagine the beautiful scenery of Terravin so clearly--a testament to Mary Pearson's clear imagery. I need this movie now.

3. The Winner's Curse/The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski 

Anyone who knows me, already is aware that I cannot talk about my movie wish-list without mentioning this. It's gotta happen. Soon. Please?

4. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

So far, everything on this list has been fantasy/science fiction. But that's only because these books are too amazing not to be imagined on the big screen. I desperately want to see this one made because of the world-building in this novel is so rich, so complete, that it would be a sin not to take advantage of it on screen.

5. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Duh, you might say. Well, yeah. Duh. I need to witness a real and sassy, badass Reagan and I need adorable, sweet Matt Finch like I need to breathe.

6. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN MADE INTO A MOVIE YET? That is all I have to say.

7. Going Bovine by Libba Bray

I would probably pay big bucks to help finance this movie because I need a quirky, heartbreaking road trip movie in my life. But not a half-assed quirky, road trip movie. I need one done right. And Libba Bray's epic can provide me with that.

8. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

I desperately need this one to happen. I want to cry fat ugly tears in the movie theatre while listening to the epic soundtrack this movie would no doubt provide. I have a playlist all ready too, in case anyone was wondering.

9. The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey 

Among many other things about this book that I want to visually experience, I need Dorian and Jasper in my life. Like on the screen. Because they are perfect.

10. The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I'd love to tally how many other bloggers had this one there. But this one speaks for itself. Plus, I just want a movie filmed in Prague.

11. I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

If this isn't worthy of a movie, I don't know what is. Seriously. It's a gorgeous story and it breaks you into a million pieces and puts you together again. I also need this movie in my life like I need water, air, chocolate and Chris Pine movies.

~*~

Bonus:

PLEASE DEAR GOD REMAKE ONE DAY BY DAVID NICHOLLS.

One Day, for those that you don't know, is the amazing, beautiful, gut-wrenching tale of Dex and Emma, two best-friends who take twenty-years to figure out their shit. But when they do, it's utterly gorgeous and truthful and as one EW editor put it: "I THREW THE BOOK IN THE GARBAGE."

For the record, I threw it across the room.

It was so worth it.

The movie--I'm told? Not so much.

So--PLEASE.  Remake it. Use the same score, though. Because Rachel Portman knows what's up.

Three Things--A BEA 2015 Recap (Part 1)

Guys! This was my third year at BEA! Three days, three years...I decided to roll with it.

This Recap Post is simple:

Three things I learned after three years at BEA


1. Prep Schmep 

I have never put such detail planning into anything except international travel plans. Seriously. And even then, with two integrated schedules, copious of notes, and all the help from blogger friends,  I didn't get all the books I want or stick to the schedule.

Some signings run longer. Sometimes you stand in a "shadow line" for an hour and a half before the actual lining up begins. Sometimes you get one of your top books completely by accident.

So, the scheduling and grids should really be loose guidelines. And even then, I think the most important thing to do is make a list of the books you truly want--but keep it small--and let everything else fall into place.


2.  BEA Friends are THE BEST. 

I would not have gotten through BEA without my friends, especially Nicole and Hannah. And I think most people can agree; the friends you make at BEA and through blogging are special sorts and not to be underestimated. They can be your greatest motivators and helpers during BEA.

BEA is not a competition. It's not about who got the most ARCs, met the most authors, stood in line the longest, etc. And you especially don't ahve to do any of that by yourself. I've seen a lot of people reading books while waiting in humongous lines and that's fine! But also, I think people should take advantage of that time to sit and talk. You honestly never know who you're going to meet. My first year on line for Tandem, I met Melissa Grey and she's one of my favorite people ever. I roomed with Andye, Val, Krista and Hannah (and besides my special little snowflake moments--sorry Caitlin!) I definitely made some amazing friends. And I wouldn't trade the moments in our room where we laughed ourselves to tears for anything.


3. REST and EAT

I wore myself a bit thin this year. I didn't get much sleep this year at BEA, or eat enough and I think I'm supremely stupid because of it. I missed the Macmillan party because of a migraine and spent most of the night in the room--when I wasn't trying to sleep off my migraine--watching a grotesque episode of Hoarders with Val.

So, do yourself a favor and pack comfort food during BEA if you're like me and your stomach does annoying things during the expo. Hannah was my lifesaver with PB&J and I might not have eaten without it. And if you have to sleep in a little extra and miss being first in line at the Javits, so be it. Sleep is important. And it might make those hours on line during the day a little better--trust me, no one wants to zone out before meeting their favorite author. Plus, being tired and overwhelmed makes you do stupid things like forget stuff in your hotel room. No one wants that to happen.

Obviously, another thing I learned was to just to have as much fun as possible. This year went by way to fast! I didn't even feel like BEA was happening until it was over. Even though I blinked and it happened, I had an amazing time. I learned a lot and hopefully will be ready for Chicago or any other Book conferences in the future!

~*~

Thank you to Hannah, Val, Krista and Andye for being amazing roommates. Thank you for Nicole for being super understanding. Thanks to Gaby for the oatmeal cookie that might have saved my life on Thursday or Friday. I can't even remember.

Be sure to check out the rest of the week for more BEA Recap posts!