Chasing Shackleton by Tim Jarvis

This was a fascinating account of a crazy expedition. Six men tried to recreate Shackleton's "double." In 1914, Shackleton was on his way to attempt a land crossing of Antarctica, but got stuck in an iceberg on the way and was trapped for over a year! Eventually he and six men traveled by lifeboat (stage one) to the Island of South Georgia. Once they got there, they had to cross a glacier (stage two) to get to a whaling station where they could find help for the rest of their crew. They accomplished their goal, and were able to rescue the men left behind. Jarvis & crew traveled to Antarctica, to the starting point of the lifeboat journey. Using a replica lifeboat and materials and technology from the period, they recreated the experience. 

It was really interesting to read about both the back story of the expedition as well as the expedition itself. A crew accompanied them to film the experience for a documentary, also called "Chasing Shackleton." I appreciated learning the history of Shackleton's original expedition alongside the attempt by Jarvis. There were beautiful photos from both expeditions.

As someone who really, really hates being cold, I can't imagine willingly putting myself in that situation, especially using the period clothing and equipment.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Art: high-brow thread linking New York socialites, terrorists, antique dealers, orphans, grifters and Russian thugs.

Drugs: Addiction. Weed, heroin, crack, pills, Long periods of deep non-sensical hallucinatory imagery.

Parental involvement: gambling, prep-school bullies, ice queens, bi-polar disorder, kind-hearted guardians.

Love: lost, unrequited, misplaced, obsessive, pay-for, same sex.

Adolescence: all of the above.

Drowning:  in a veritable ocean of words; in annoying punctuation gimmicks; in excruciatingly detailed descriptions.   And a cute dog.    Have we left anything out?

Half Bad by Sally Green

  Half Bad centers on Nathan, a witch who is a half code; his mother was a White Witch (good guy) and his father was THE Black Witch (bad guy).  Nathan lives with his half siblings and grandmother, because his father killed his mother and then fled, continuing to commit atrocities as he went along.  Now the governing body is hunting Black Witches, and Nathan slowly loses his rights and finds himself being harshly discriminated against in the Witch community.  Because of his father, Nathan becomes a target of the witch government, and after that, it's a struggle for Nathan to survive.
  Half Bad was okay.  Something about it just fell flat.  The idea that the witch government could exercise such strong control in some cases and then completely drop the ball in others seemed far fetched, especially when it comes to Nathan and his father.  This is the first book in a series, and maybe the next will give me what I need to really enjoy, and connect with the story.  I guess we'll have to wait and see.
  Half Bad will be published on March 4th, 2014 by Penguin Young Readers Group.

Grim by Ellen Hopkins, Julie Kagawa, Amanda Hocking, Claudia Gray, Rachel Hawkins et al.

Grim presents wonderfully twisted, fascinating fairy tales by some of the most recognizable names in Young Adult literature.  The Key by Rachel Hawkins is explosive and unexpected, while Better by Shaun David Hutchinson is completely heartbreaking.  My favorite of the short stories is Light It Up by Kimberly Derting, a suspenseful play on Hansel and Gretel made completely awesome by an ass kicking heroine.  I enjoyed reading this book, and was truly impressed by the quality of stories that it contained.  I was given the opportunity to read this book before it's publication date of February 25, 2014 by NetGalley and I think it will make an excellent addition to the young adult collection.  If you're looking for a creepy read, this is just what you need.

High and Dry by Sarah Skilton

 

Charlie Dixon is having a run of bad luck.  His girlfriend left him, he's set up when his car is used to transport an overdosing girl to the hospital, and he's being blackmailed.  On top of it all, his childhood friend asks him to throw an upcoming soccer game.  Once Charlie's ex-girlfriend Ellie makes it clear that she doesn't like the person that he's become, he decides to put down the flask and get to the bottom of all of these mysteries. 
  Overall I enjoyed this book, but I have to say that the relationship between Charlie and Ellie can be a little grating.  First loves are all consuming, and this book is true to those feeling, but sometimes it's a little much to take.  Continuing in that vein, most of the relationships in the book feel authentic.  The way Charlie interacts with his friends, parents, and enemies all ring true.  However, there is a strange clique order in Charlie's high school that feels forced.  It's almost like each group, jocks, choir girls, and the debate team operate under mob rules. 
  I enjoyed High and Dry and would have no problem recommending it to any teen that walked into my library.  Every once in a while it's nice to have a young adult mystery that is also realistic and relatable.  This book is set to be released on April 15, 2014.

The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni

Honestly, I picked up this book simply because I was waiting for another to arrive.  I'm so happy I did.  I can't tell you the last time I finished a book in a day.  The gray, dreary, freezing temperatures didn't hurt either, but had it been a sunny day, I most likely would have binge read it anyway.
  Leaving the city life behind, Verity Boone is making her way to Catawissa, Pennsylvania, to reunite with her father and to finally meet her prospective husband, with whom she's only ever communicated to by letter.  After an inauspicious homecoming, Verity makes her way along a dirt road near her home and sees a most disturbing sight; two graves, both padlocked and caged, sitting outside of the cemetery proper.  Even more disturbing, one of the graves belongs to Verity's mother.  In accordance with her virtuous name, Verity sets out to find the truth about why this happened to her mother and ends up getting a lot more than she bargained for. 
  The Caged Graves is inspired by two actual caged graves in the town of Catawissa, Pennsylvania.  While I'm not usually drawn to American historical fiction, I found this book fascinating.  I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great mystery.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

  Leonard Peacock is a kid on the outside looking in.  He has no family, his father is a one-hit wonder musician who took off and headed down to South America, and his mother is a flaky fashion designer who has better things to do than to raise a son.  He has no friends except for his Bogart obsessed, elderly neighbor Walt; Lauren, a home schooled super Christian he barely knows; and Mr. Silverman, a teacher at his school with whom he shares a genuine connection.  This kid is on the edge, and he's about to jump.
  The book opens on Leonard's birthday, and along with the presents he intends to give his "friends", all of whom he's betting won't even know it's his birthday, he's packing his grandfather's P-38 pistol with every intention of shooting his ex-best friend and then himself.
  Author Matthew Quick is the same man that brought us Silver Linings Playbook, and there's no doubt that the book is well written.  Though readers know Leonard's intention for the day, the reader is slowly exposed to the reasons for why this happening.  The way in which the book is written is different, for fiction anyway.  There are multiple footnotes within the text that further explain people and experiences.  I found it a little off putting, but it wasn't terrible.  This book is worth reading.  It's dramatic, timely, and heartbreaking.