Interview with Julianna Baggott & Giveaway of Pure!

1.) First off, can you please describe Pure as if he or she was a person? (Qualities, pet peeves, etc.) 


Great question. Beautifully twisted mind. Defensive, sure, but she earned it -- hard life, hard childhood; you can't blame her. Drawn to make art out of wreckage. At her core, despite all she's lived through, she's filled with hope.


2.) I read in your acknowledgments that the damaged caused by radiation was largely influenced by the atomic bombings of Japan. How did you become involved/interested in the event? Is there a fact you learned about the event that has stuck with you the most?


I took a course on Japan in college, and came back to this image of a woman who'd survived; she'd been wearing a black and white checkered dress and because white reflects and black absorbs, she was burned in the pattern of her dress. It never left me. Fused to her dress or so it seemed to me.


3.) Do you have a favorite line or scene from Pure that you can share?


There's a character who wad doubling his brother on his bike when the detonations hit, and now his brother is fused to his back. For the rest of his life he must carry him wherever he goes. There's a moment in the book where this love-hate relationship turns. One of my favorite moments in the book -- deep in. You'll know it when you read it.




4.) When the radiation struck, survivors were fused to the items/animals around them. How did this image come about? Were there any fusings you had written that didn't make the final cut of the novel? 


Yes. Lots didn't make it. In fact, some characters didn't make it. I think some of it comes from having so many kids -- four in total -- and that children as infants seem fused to you. I've written with my children asleep on my chest for hours and hours of my life. Fused there, it seemed.


5.) Was Pure the original title to your novel? Or were there other working titles that you can share?


PURE was it from the beginning. FUSE was always book II. BURN was originally THE NEW AFTER, but will they get there? That's debatable.


6.) If readers of Pure walked away with one message in their minds, what would you want that to be?


I want them to think of all that can be lost -- this brutal and beautiful existence. To cherish the world around them more.

*   *   *

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Prize:

(1) Pure by Julianna Baggott

Giveaway Rules:

• Must be 13 years or older to enter
• US only (sorry)
• Comments are appreciated, but Rafflecopter must be filled out for entrance 
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond via email before a new winner is chosen

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for donating a copy!

Someone Else's Life Blog Tour

I'm so happy to be kicking off the blog tour for Katie Dale's YA debut, Someone Else's Life, with an interview with the author! I hope you enjoy.

*   *   *

1.) Congratulations on your YA debut! Is there anything about the publication process that surprised you?

Thank you so much! I was quite surprised by how LONG the whole process took, aside from the time taken to write the novel to begin with. I was so excited when I got my publishing contract in April 2010 and told all my friends and family, then they kept coming to me saying “Why can’t I find your book in the bookshop?” I had to keep telling them it wouldn’t be out for another two years!

-->Any advice for aspiring writers?

Yes!
Read as much as you can – you will learn so much about good writing (and bad!)
Write regularly – it’s like any muscle: the more you exercise, the better you’ll get
Enter competitions! – It’s so hard to get noticed on the slushpile and competitions, as well as providing valuable feedback on your writing, can open so many doors – if you can put on your covering letter that you’ve won or been highly commended in a competition agents and publishers will take you more seriously and give you more attention – it worked for me!

2.) If Someone Else's Life was a person, how would you describe his/her personality?

Emotional, troubled, but deeply caring and optimistic.

3.) Is there a favorite line or scene from the book that you can share?

I love the scene in New York on New Year’s Eve. I watched the ball-drop on YouTube with all the fireworks and the swarming crowds and those blue top hats, and then everyone – friends and strangers alike – cheering and dancing to New York, New York. It’s just such a wonderful, magical atmosphere, and one I hope to experience myself one day!

4.) I saw on your website that you have done some traveling. Is there any place that has inspired the scenes or events of Someone Else's Life? If not, is there a specific memory from those trips that really has stayed with you?

I visited New England when I was eighteen and was just overwhelmed by the calmness and tranquility it exudes – the deep sense of history, the beautiful pillared architecture at Harvard, and the gorgeous white clapboard houses and churches of Cape Cod. Those images have stayed with me and I found I wanted to revisit them in Someone Else’s Life, and they provided the perfect location for certain scenes of the book.


5.) Let's play madlibs! Without reading the question below, please give me:
Name of Person, Noun, Name of Person, Noun, Noun, verb, Adjective ending in "ly", Plural Noun.

Rosie, dress, Andy, Statue of Liberty, Ice creams, dance, spontaneously, balloons

ROSIE is a DRESS who finds out that ANDY is not her biological STATUE OF LIBERTY. So ICE CREAMS DANCE SPONTANEOULSY to find BALLOONS.

LOL!

Anything you'd like to add?

Thank you so much for having me – it’s been really fun! And if you have a moment, do check out my book trailer – I’d love to know what you think!

*   *   * 

Katie Dale
Author of Someone Else’s Life
Published by Delacorte Young Readers February 2012
Website: katiedaleuk.blogspot.com
Twitter: @katiedaleuk

In My Mailbox (30)

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. This meme is a place where people can learn about great books that they might not have known about, or to freak out over books they can't wait to get! Here's what I got in my mailbox the last week...

For Review

(Goodreads)

~ Belles by Jen Calonita (ARC)

Bought

(Goodreads)

~ The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

I already read and reviewed this one, but I went to her launch at Books of Wonder so of course I had to get a signed finished copy!

(Goodreads)

~ The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

(Goodreads)

~ Cinder by Marissa Meyer

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
332 Pages (Paperback)
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
January 2nd 2012
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback

Some schools have honor codes.

Others have handbooks.

Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way-the Themis way. So when Alex Patrick is date-raped during her junior year, she has two options: Stay silent and hope someone helps, or enlist the aid of the Mockingbirds-a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of the student body.

In this account of a teenage girl's search for her voice and the courage to use it, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that standing up for someone, especially yourself, is worth the fight.

     I was offered this novel last year and I feel really dumb for passing it by. Saying it surprised me, although true, would be an understatement. I always hate saying that, because I don't mean it like "oh wow, I thought it would suck" but rather "it didn't seem like something for me". Clearly I was wrong; I loved this book. It was interesting, disturbing, revealing and romantic - mixing all of those into one is a feat on its own.

    The story takes place at a boarding school where the administration turns their heads, not thinking -or rather refusing to believe- that anything bad can happen among their brilliantly talented group of students. No one gets punished for anything; students act out without fear of retribution. To make the school safe, an underground justice system is put into place by the students - The Mockingbirds. When Alex is date-raped, she finds if she wants something to change, she has to confront them. Even if it means having to repeat her story and live with the whispers and glances when everyone else finds out.

    I want to compare this novel to Speak since both girls deal with relatively the same thing, rape, and since both books are important and unique in how they tackle the very real issue. However, the main character in The Mockingbirds is stronger than in Speak since she decides early on to speak up. While Speak is more about the challenge leading up to speaking up, The Mockingbirds is more about what happens after. To sum it all up in simple terms - read it. The issue is handled well, the story is intriguing, the characters are interesting and likable, and the romance is real.

Standalone Spotlight: This-Or-That List with Jess Rothenberg

~ Under-the-Sea or Up-in-the-Air?
Oh, easy.

~ Spring or Fall?
Probably fall, since I’m a Libra and the smell and feeling of autumn is quite simply the best. But it’s also hard to beat the cherry blossoms blooming… both are magical in different ways and each have their own wonderful energy. You kind of need one to appreciate the other.

~ East Coast or West Coast? 
Live on the East, dream of the West.


~ Domestic or International?
I’m always up for a little last minute world adventuring. Where are we going? Paris? Done.


~ Formal or Casual? 
High heels + jeans.


~ Chased by a mini gorilla foaming at the mouth or a de-toothed tiger?
Foaming at the mouth is never a good situation, so I’ll go with the toothless tiger for now. Plus, I have good practice with my cat Charlie pouncing on me all the time, so maybe I could fight him off.


~ Glam or Natural? 
Natural! (Though it is very fun to glam it up once in a while.)


~ Toddlers & Tiaras is addicting or Toddlers & Tiaras is disgusting?
Disgustingly addictive?


~ Raw or Cooked? 
Depends what’s for dinner!


~ Daytime or Nighttime?
I was born at a minute before minute, and have been a total night owl ever since.

Anything you'd like to add?


Thanks so much for hosting me, Britta! : D It’s been fun!


I loved having you, Jess! 

*   *   *

At the launch for this novel someone asked that since in the book the girls associate themselves with a Disney character is there one that Jess associates herself with. She responded (in song) that she considers herself Ariel. So that video is so much funnier to me!

The second video, if you have a chance, I highly suggest you watch the whole thing. SO funny! (Watch it here!)

*   *   *

Jess Rothenberg
Author of The Catastrophic History of You and Me Released February 21, 2012
Dial/Penguin

Standalone Spotlight: Feburary Posts
Review 
Giveaway
Book Trailer Spotlight
Interview with Jess Rothenberg

Standalone Spotlight: Interview with Jess Rothenberg

As a part of this month Standalone Spotlight, I hope you enjoy this interview with debut author Jess Rothenberg!

*   *   *

1.) Please describe The Catastrophic History of You and Me with one food item, one animal and one color. (feel free to explain.)

Endless pizza (to go with Brie and Patrick’s “Little Slice of Heaven” Pizza Parlor Afterlife)

Basset Hound (one word: Hamloaf!!)

Rusty orange-red (just like the Golden Gate, Brie’s literal bridge between our world and the Great Beyond…) Gulp. Long way down!

2.) Finish this sentence: While writing TCHoYaM I sometimes... had to get up and dance!


3.) Congratulations on your FANTASTIC debut! Is there something about the whole process (from first draft to publication) that surprised you? Any advice to aspiring authors?


Thank you so much! ☺ There were plenty of surprises along the way, for sure! It was so exciting to watch the characters grow and change as I wrote and revised (even surprising me in places). The cover changed a few times, too, though that actually happens more than you might think. I’m so happy with how it turned out—I think the jacket is absolutely gorgeous and shimmery and I love the way the Golden Gate Bridge also looks a little bit like wings. Advice-wise, I guess the most important thing I’ve learned along the way is to try and keep a sense of humor about the whole process, if you can. And enjoy it!


4.) In you're own little "slice of Heaven" what joint would your holding place be. Would it be a pizza place like Brie's? Or something entirely different?


My slice of Heaven would be a giant water park, with crazy slides, awesome waves pools, and eternal lazy rivers…bliss!


5.) Each of your chapters start out with song lyrics. How did you pick the songs? Were there any songs that you wanted to put in but just didn't fit?


There were a few that couldn’t make it in, yes, but overall the process of picking song lyrics for chapter titles was pretty clean. I’d think about what was happening in a particular moment of the story and where Brie was emotionally, and since I’m a bit of a lyrics encyclopedia myself, a certain song would just pop into my head as being a good fit! : )

*   *   *

Jess Rothenberg
Author of The Catastrophic History of You and Me Released February 21, 2012
Dial/Penguin 

Standalone Spotlight: Feburary Posts
Review 
Giveaway
Book Trailer Spotlight

Standalone Spotlight: Catastrophic History of You and Me Trailer

This month's Standalone Spotlight, The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rotheberg released yesterday and I highly suggest that you all go out and find yourself a copy! To help convince you a bit more, take a look at the book's trailer. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever. 

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally. 

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after. 

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

(Goodreads) 

My Review

Enter the Giveaway!

New Girl by Paige Harbison

New Girl by Paige Harbison
304 Pages (Paperback)
HarlequinTeen
January 31, 2012
Source: Netgalley
Format: E-Galley

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

    I found out after reading New Girl that this novel is a retelling of Rebecca, but I have not read the original, so I am in no position to tell how accurately they matched up. My review is solely bases on New Girl (how it should be).

    What struck me about this novel was not necessarily the characters or the plot, but the overall feel of the story. It reminded me of Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma in the way that every page coats you with a layer of mystery and that feeling that something is just not quite right...

    There were a few things that did not fit to me - not that I didn't like them, just that they didn't really make sense. First off, the main character is sent to boarding school because her parents had been secretly applying since she first asked them years ago (because she was infatuated with Harry Potter) and they think they are doing something extremely nice for their daughter when she is finally accepted. Okay, that's nice. But - she doesn't want to go to boarding school anymore. Why she doesn't tell her parents and not go makes no sense to me. Also, at the school, there is an old boat house where the kids have parties. I get how they tricked the guard into letting them go down there before the MC gets there... but after a student goes missing there, wouldn't it make sense to have more security and/or padlock the place?

    I tried to ignore my rational thoughts (this is fiction, I attempted to convince myself) because I really did enjoy the novel. I can't pin point exactly why, but I really wanted to get to the end and see how it all played out! The narration goes between the main character and the missing girl (before she goes missing up unto the point) and that was really unique how it was set up that way. Also, not saying anything, but I really enjoy what the author does with the main character's name (you'll see what I mean if you read it).

    Beware though, there is a lot of drugs, sex, violence (rape/self-harm) woven into the plot. It is not extraneous, but if that is going to bother you, I thought I'd give you a heads up. But really, don't let that stop you. The novel is intriguing, suspenseful, mysterious and creepy - a powerful combination.

In My Mailbox (29)

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. This meme is a place where people can learn about great books that they might not have known about, or to freak out over books they can't wait to get! Here's what I got in my mailbox the last week...

For Review

(Goodreads)

~ Love? Maybe by Heather Hepler

Bought 

(Goodreads)

~ Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood* 

(Goodreads)

~ Legend by Marie Lu*

(Goodreads)

~ Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2)  by Courtney Allison Moulton

(Goodreads)

~ Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan

* I bought these books at the Books of Wonder stop on the Breathless Reads tour, so they are both signed. I also got my books signed by Beth Revis and Andrea Cremer (of course) but I already had those. The signing was great and all the lovely ladies were funny and interesting. I also got a cool poster signed by all the authors and a lanyard thing that makes you feel all official.

Intangible by J. Meyers Excerpt

 

About the Book:

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

(Goodreads) 

*   *   *

 And then she knew. No vision had ever terrified him. Never. In seventeen years. It was as if his own life were at stake. But he didn’t See his own future. He only saw other’s. She suddenly had a terrible feeling that she knew exactly whose future he’d Seen.


Her voice was a whisper. “Do I get hurt?”


His face contorted, but he didn’t say anything.


“Oh my god. Do I die?”


He closed his eyes.


“Oh.” The air rushed out of her lungs on that one word. She was going to die.


Luke’s voice was tight, tortured when he said, “We gotta go.” He bent down to pick up Sera’s bag again, then headed out the door. Sera looked down at her feet. Their book bags lay there. She should probably pick those up, she thought. Luke was already on the porch, waiting. She reached down and grasped the bags, then woodenly stepped outside.
Luke stared at her a moment, searching her face, then reached around her and locked the door. He started down the steps, but her voice stopped him.


“Luke?”


He turned to look at her. She was going to die. She knew she was going to die. But she couldn’t stop herself from asking even though she already knew the answer.


“Have you ever had a vision that didn’t come true?” she said. “Ever?”

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis

400 pages (Hardcover)

Razorbill

January 11, 2012

Source: Bought

Godspeed was once fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos. It’s been three months. In that time, Amy has learned to hide who she is. Elder is trying to be the leader he’s always wanted to be. But as the ship gets more and more out of control, only one thing is certain: They have to get off the ship.

(Goodreads) 

Frexing amazing! I tore through this installment (and it is no short novel) in a day. Twist after twist, false hopes and false leads, mysteries and deaths - A Million Suns is a crazy and terrifying, but addicting ride.

This is one of those novels where trying to summarize it would just be futile and do no justice at all, so I'm going to skip that whole ordeal. But basically, this installment picks up at the close of the last novel give or take a few days. Elder is struggling to accept and come into his position as Eldest, and his decision to rule unlike the previous Eldest causes chaos. The secrets Amy reveals in the meantime change everything. Everything the people of Godspeed have ever known about their home is turned upside down when a terrifying truth is presented to them. 

I have found trilogies to have a sort of expected pattern. The first book, amazing, the second is more of a build up (which usually is disappointing in some fashion) and the third is a ground breaking explosion of action. While Across the Universe definitely followed the pattern and I hope the third book will too, the second, A Million Suns is an exception to this observation. It was amazing. Yes there was build up for the third novel, but just in the way that the first lead up to the second. It was not just build up. NO it was not. (That is me subtly saying that a whole lot of amazingly ridiculous, horrifying and suspicious things take place!) 

If you've read the first, you'd be depriving yourself (that's me not saying  "you'd be dumb") by not continuing on with this installment. Frankly, I'm mad at myself that I didn't read it the second it was released. 

Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggott

Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggott
448 Pages (Hardcover)
February 8th 2012
Grand Central Publishing
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover

Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet, she thinks about what is lost--how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies.

    The dystopian war that Baggott creates is terrifying, brutal and strangely addictive. The imagery was so raw and gruesome as times that I instinctively closed my eyes from the picture, cringing while I forced them back open to read the rest of the words. If dystopian is what you are looking for, Pure is consuming world to explore.

    The Earth is struggling to recreate itself after the Detonations, the explosions of radiation that left the planet virtually barren. Those who survived carry their scars on their bodies, fused to items that were touching them at the time. A doll head fist, birds embedding into a back, a brother latched onto a neck, children clutching their mothers' legs... the items, the people, become one. The only people who do not carry such burdens are the Pures, those who were safely in the Dome before the radiation hit. But now a Pure has escaped. Pressia finds herself connected to him and sent on a journey that uncovers the secrets of the past she's forgotten.

    A+ to Baggot for the world she's created. My only real criticism lies in one of the characters. Namely, Pressia. She is sixteen but the whole time I imagined her much younger. If anything, the struggles she's been put through should make her seem older, not the other way around. This discrepancy kind of through off my interpretation of some of the events.

    If you are shying away from this title because of my initial description, please note that not every page is gruesome or bloody. The world is brutal in itself; it is decimated. However, there were only three or four times that I would consider hard to read.

    Overall, if dystopian is your thing, I'd recommend Pure. This novel is a YA - Adult crossover, so the wording and world is created for an older audience. Teens would have no trouble reading it, I just thought it of use to mention that this book was written for adults.

Standalone Spotlight: Catastrophic Giveaway!

As a part of February's Standalone Spotlight, I have a great giveaway for you donated by the lovely Jess Rothenberg. It will run until the end on the month! Check back all month for more posts about The Catastrophic History of You and Me!

Find out more about the SARC and our Standalone Spotlights HERE.

The Prizes (ONE WINNER):

~ The Catastrophic History of You and Me poster

~ (Signed) ARC The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Thanks to Jess Rothenberg for the donation! 

The Rules:

• US Only (Sorry)
• Must be 13 years or older to enter
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen
• Comments are appreciated but the rafflecopter must be filled out to count 
• Giveaway ends February 29th at midnight EST

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. This meme is a place where people can learn about great books that they might not have known about, or to freak out over books they can't wait to get! Here's what I got in my mailbox the last week...

For Review

(Goodreads)

~ Awkward by Marni Bates (ARC)*

(Goodreads)

~ The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

(Goodreads)

~ The Rivals by Daisy Whitney

* Counts towards the Standalone Reading Challenge. See THIS POST for more information

Special thanks to LBBYR and Kensington Publishing Corporation for my books this week!

Holly Cupala Giveaway!!

This month I've featured Holly Cupala's work quite a bit. The simple reason is: her books are really well written and cover important topics. Also, Don't Breathe a Word, her newest novel, counts towards the Standalone Reading Challenge. Today I'm offering a swag pack to one reader - good luck!


The Prizes:
~ Don't Breathe a Word magnet made by Holly (she only made a few!)*
~ Mini Moo card
~ Dear Bully bookmark
~ DBAW graphic art page (in protective sheet) signed by Holly Cupala and the artist, Realm Lovejoy (rare!)**


* I received two magnets, I'd be crazy not to keep one :) 
** I won this and I rather give it to someone who will appreciate it more. It is really cool, I just don't have anything to do with it.


Rules:

• Must be 13 years or older to enter
• US ONLY (sorry)
• Giveaway ends February 19, 2012 at Midnight EST
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen
• Comments are appreciated, but Rafflecopter must be filled out to be entered to win

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
400 Pages (Hardcover)
Penguin Young Readers Group
February 21, 2012
Source: LibraryThing
Format: ARC

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

    I loved this book with a passion. Brie is hilarious, even when filled with grief. The story is extremely well written, and manages to take a rather morbid topic and turn it into something heartwarming, entertaining and joyous.

    This is Brie's story, of how she literally died of a broken heart. It takes progression through a series of emotional steps to finally see the whole truth. No matter what she does, how she tries to fix things or get revenge, there is that unyielding fact that she is still dead. Cute 80's boy Patrick is there to help her the whole way... but what if there is something more to their relationship?

    Yeah... that description doesn't give it near justice. This book is not just beautifully written, it is beautifully packaged and formatted. That may seem silly to say, but it makes a big difference. The book is split into parts based on the five stages of grief that Brie must evolve through and each chapter starts with a song title or lyrics that hold some truth in that chapter. Plus the cover: perfect. I liked it when I saw it, but it really fits the novel and that I really appreciate.

    All that needs to be said is: read it! Especially if you like contemporaries, because The Catastrophic History of You and Me is wonderful and unique - genius really.