2011 Young Adult Contemporary Challenge @ TUBL

Buttons created by Lale of Lale on Lit =)

Because of the plethora of paranormal books flooding the market (not that I have anything against it, in fact, I love paranormal books!), realistic contemporary YA fiction has taken the back seat. My goal with this challenge is to get you guys to read more YA contemporary books, hence, the 2011 Young Adult Contemporary Challenge! Spread the word (You can use either images above for the official button)!

What is contemporary? It's the genre wherein the events can happen in real life at the present time. The characters in the novel can be present in real life.

Goal: To read a minimum of thirteen young adult contemporary novels published in 2011.

Rules:
- All contemporary books must be in the Young Adult genre
- Books have to be published in 2011
- Open to everybody. Please fill in the form to enter.
- You can join whenever you want
- If you want to enter with your blog link, you have to post about the challenge.
- Link your reviews of 2011 Contemporary books in the MisterLinky below.

SIGN UP HERE (FORM)

Mister Linky: (Post your reviews here)
Sign the MisterLinky as shown in the example below.

Your Name: The DUFF (The Undercover Book Lover)

Your URL: http://theundercoverbooklover.blogspot.com/2010/09/duff-by-kody-keplinger.html

*Tri-monthly, I will have a giveaway for the participants of this challenge. Each review that you post in the MisterLinky above is equal to an entry in the tri-monthly challenge contest. The contests will include two books of choice from a list of AWESOME contemporary books and lots of swag =)

List of some YA Contemporary Books:
(If you want your book/a book to be added, email me at regietc@gmail.com or comment here with the title, author, and release date!)
Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard - March 8, 2011
Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal - January 11, 2011
Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg - January 1, 2011
Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles - May 24th, 2011
Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer - February 15, 2011
OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy - May 11, 2011
Darlings are Forever by Melissa Kantor - January 4, 2011
The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook - January 4, 2011
Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors - January 4, 2011
Illegal by Bettina Restrepo - March 11, 2011
Pink by Lili Wilkinson - February 8, 2011
Playing Hurt by Holly Schlindler - March 1, 2011
Subway Girl by P. J. Converse - March 15, 2011
So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti - May 3, 2011
The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan Mcvoy - May 3, 2011
The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel - May 10, 2011
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen - may 10, 2011
Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott - May 24, 2011
Love, Inc. by Yvonne Collins - January 4, 2011
The Locket by Stacey Jay - February 3, 2011
He's So Not Worth It by Kieran Scott - June 7, 2011
The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder - June 28, 2011
Will Work for Prom Dress by Aimee Ferris - February 8, 2011
Secrets by Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur - June 1, 2011
Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi - June 9, 2011
And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibensky - July 26, 2011
Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt - July 12, 2011
Forever Summer by Alyson Noel - April 26, 2011
Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez - April 19, 2011
Stay by Deb Caletti - April 19, 2011
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker - July 19, 2011
Starstruck by Cyn Balog - July 12, 2011
Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski - June 21, 2011
Pearl by Jo Knowles - July 19, 2011
But I Love Him by Amanda Grace - May 8, 2011
Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton - May 3, 2011
I Think I Love You by Allison Pearson - February 8, 2011
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones - February 1, 2011
Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin- February 1, 2011
You Don't Know About Me by Brian Meehl - May 10, 2011
The Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin - May 10, 2011
Orchards by Holly Thompson - February 22, 2011

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Discussion Post: What books will teens be studying 100 years from now?

So Lale from Lale on Lit posted about this a while ago, and I found it really cool so I decided to post my own list of books that teens might be studying in a hundred years from now.

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney - This novel, much like Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, focuses on the somewhat fragile and contradictory subject of rape. I think that both of these books have great themes and delve into what it means to stand up for yourself. I also find that teens will be able to empathize and relate to these books because of the unvarnished realities in these contemporary reads.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - Delirium is a really great dystopian book that would be great for studying and analyzing. All of the symbolic imagery and the lyrical prose are great for analyzing literary techniques. The theme and the actual plot line can also be written about. I think that the originality of this novel will really be appreciated by teen readers.

Perfect Chemistry Series by Simone Elkeles - The parallelisms between this series and Romeo and Juliet can be compared and analyzed together. The gritty atmosphere is also great to write about. What makes this series special is that it is easily relatable to teens all around the world because it revolves around stereotypes, poverty, and discrimination; all concepts and themes that are relevant to today's society.

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton - This book portrays female empowerment extremely well and really captures how to merge fact and fiction together with the myths and legends imbued into the story. Teens will enjoy the normalcy of the protagonist and her own familial problems that can be easily empathized with by teens.

The Ivy Series by Rina Onur and Lauren Kunze - This series portrays college life really well and focuses on the consequences of teenagers' actions. It doesn't sugar-coat much and it also looks at the pros and cons of the different decisions that teenagers will have to make. A read that can be empathized with, greatly.

What about you guys? What books do you think teens will be studying in school, a hundred years from now? Tell me in the comments! I'm really interested in what you guys think!

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Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium (Book 1)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Pages: 448
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: February 1, 2011

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

The thought of the eradication of love is almost unthinkable to most people today. But what happens when it becomes a necessary concept? Lena's mom was too late for the cure and she ended up taking her own life. Learning from her mother's mistake, Lena can't wait for the cure and live a happy, predestined life. But on the day of her procedure, a few outsiders disrupt it, one of them being Alex. Always being careful about the idea of love, Lena thinks that she is exempt from it but she falls in love with Alex, and the secrets he carries with him.

Intricately woven with rules, regulations, and restrictions, Delirium is a convincing read that delves into a dystopian society wherein love is looked down upon. The novel not only focuses on creating an established dystopian atmosphere, but it also aims to involve the inner workings of the concepts and ideas present in current societies. Oliver molds the the characters to fit the setting of the novel and also gives them opportunities to grow. Delirium forces readers the reader to completely immerse themselves Lena's world and question the rules and ways in which the society works.

Lena is such a strong character. Her tenacity and her instincts simply fly naturally off each page. She resonates with the reader extremely well because of her flaws and her mistakes, making her only more human and believable. Steadily, she grows from her naive, ignorant self into an aware, curious character. Her opinion of love changes slowly through her actions. As she gets more rebellious, she develops and is exposed to the realities of love and the other outsiders like Alex.

Lauren Oliver's writing, simply put, is poetically inspiring. Although Delirium is written in prose, the poetic, lyrical feel dominates and enhances the different elements in the story. Oliver writes intimately, and compels the reader to fully realize and empathize with the characters in the novel. The storyline develops consistently as readers are steadily merged into the world of Delirium and discover the secrets that lie in the society.

Delirium is a beautiful novel of discovery and really probes deeper into societal questions. It touches on the realities in the real world today and introduces readers to a whole new world. The many different insights and meaningful subtleties all make for an original, inspiring read.

The Bottom Line: I'm COMPLETELY delirious for Delirium!

---Field Report---
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 100/100 (A+) !!!This is one of the THIRTEEN books that hold the title: The Holy Grail - Beholder of the Perfect 100!!!

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Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Title: Nightshade (Book 1)
Author: Andrea Cremer
Pages: 454

Publisher: Philomel

Publication Date: October 19, 2010

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Nightshade is an elaborately-woven, gripping, paranormal romance held against a backdrop with the rich contrast of an intricate, otherworldly setting and an equally convincing context in the human world. Both worlds are discrepant to each other in some aspects, and similar in others. The relationships and the political dynamics in both environments are different, but the characters remain consistent in the entirety of the novel. The ancestry and realistically-portrayed descriptions of the characters and the hierarchy merge together to create a consistent ambiance, constant all throughout the book.

Fierce, loyal, and strong, Calla's personality is truly an alpha's. Her personality and mindset mirrors her stance as an alpha but her pre-destined union with Ren affects her in such a way that she carries a caged, constricted air around her that contradicts her nature as a werewolf. Calla's analyzing and authoritative, but she's also confused. Her selflessness and her loyalty to the pack is admirable but behind her well-put front, she's afraid of completely letting Ren or Shay in. Calla is a strong, rough, and frank; just like the characteristics of a werewolf. In Nighshade, Calla is both wolf and human. Both beings are truly a part of her.

Sexy, commanding, and unfailing, Ren embodies similar characteristics to Calla, embedded into his alpha nature. His tainted past leaves him careful, protective, and hardened underneath. Readers will be drawn to his seductive charisma and animalistic qualities and still percieve him as a deep, thoughtful, three-dimensional character. He's flawed, and has been hurt before, but there are moments wherein his more sensitive, sweeter side is highlighted.

(This is where the paragraph of Shay is supposed to be in. But I'm Team Ren *laughs evilly*)

Although fast-paced and action-packed, Nightshade isn't rushed. The details and nuances are naturally revealed and the descriptions only strengthen the plot even more. Even with so many characters, Cremer is able to give each individual his/her own distinct personality. Each character stays true to themselves through the entire novel.

Nightshade is an suspenseful start to a new, exciting series. The danger, the romance, the action, and the characters all pull together to create an absorbing world of deceit, lies, and passion. Cremer's debut will definitely impress readers and pull them into Nightshade's world. A stunning original debut.

The Bottom Line: Team Ren FOR THE WIN. *throws confetti*

---Field Report---
Originality: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 9/10
Setting: 4/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 95/100 (A+)

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Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Title: Where I Belong
Author: Gwendolyn Heasley
Pages: 304
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 8, 2011

Corrinne Corcoran’s upscale Manhattan life is perfectly on track—until her father announces he’s been laid off and she’s shipped off to Broken Spoke, Texas, to live with her grandparents. All alone in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the glamorous life she’s supposed to be living. But as she grudgingly adjusts—making new friends and finding romance along the way—this city girl begins to realize that life without credit cards and shopping sprees may not be as bad as it seems....

The recession affects everybody differently. For Corrinne, her entire life changes. When her dad loses his job and all their savings, Corrinne is sent, along with her younger brother, to Broken Spoke, Texas to live with their grandparents. But the transition from her urban, designer life to her new manual labor-filled one, doesn't go smoothly. As she rediscovers familial relationships and weaves through a new life, she even finds a little love...but sometimes in the wrong places.

Where I Belong is a humorous, light read filled with a rich Texan cultural atmosphere and endearing, eccentric characters. The realism merged into the novel flies off each page with adept cultural references and realistic circumstances. The recession plays a large part in the novel; it becomes the catalyst that further amplifies Corrinne's [whiny] attitude and really contributes to the authenticity of the plot. The concept of material objects and the value of family are truly emphasized by the friendly, familial setting of Broken Spoke, Texas, making for a thoughtful, relaxing read.

Despite Corrine's snobby attitude from the very beginning, her resilience manifests when she is thrown to different situations; her ability to cope with her volatile environment. The contrast between her previous and her current lifestyle is apparent with the blatant cultural and traditional references made between Broken Spoke and New York. Here, Corrinne is at a liminal stage in life; she is at the threshold between two very different lifestyles, and she is a teenager; stuck between her childhood and adulthood. In her time in Texas, Corrinne's metamorphosis is clear as she gradually falls for not only Bubby, but also the whole town of Broken Spoke.

Where I Belong embodies a warm, friendly tone with an entertaining cast of charming characters that will surely pull many heartstrings. Heasley writes with fun and hilarity in mind, and contrives a sweet, sensitive air throughout the novel. The characters, along with their quirky names and personalities, will surely captivate hearts. Although not quite as memorable, Where I Belong still proves to be a pleasant, witty read.

At its core, Where I Belong is a heartfelt novel that explores life, family, and friendship. It portrays life at its best, and at its worst. This novel conveys that happiness is a state of mind; it doesn't matter where you are or how much money you have. All that matters is the people around you and the ability to adapt. Readers will encounter different life lessons in this meaningful, fun, contemporary novel.

The Bottom Line: A realistic debut.

---Field Report---
Originality: 6/10
Ending: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 8/10
Theme: 9/10
Imagery: 8/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 4/5
Style: 4/5
Tone: 3/5
Cover: 9/10
Total Score: 79/100 (B)

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