Wishlist Wednesday (#2)

If you could be mine - Sara Farzian

Publisher: Algoquin Young Readers
Pages: 247
Publication date: July 1st 2013

Goodreads Blurb: In this stunning debut, a young Iranian American writer pulls back the curtain on one of the most hidden corners of a much talked about culture.

Seventeen year old Sahar has been in love with her best friend, Nasrin, since they were six. They've shared stolen kisses and romantic promises. But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls in love - Sahar and Nasrin could be beaten, imprisoned, even executed if their relationship came to light.

So they carry on in secret - until Nasrin's parents announce that they've arranged for her marriage. Nasrin tries to persuade Sahar that they can go on as they have been, only now with the comforts provided by the decent, well to do doctor Nasrin will marry. But Sahar dreams of loving Nasrin exclusively - and openly.

Then Sahar discovers what seems like the perfect solution. In Iran, homosexuality may be a crime, but to be a man trapped in a woman's body is seen as nature's mistake, and sex reassignment is legal and accessible. As a man, Sahar could be the one to marry Nasrin. Sahar will never be able to lobe the one she wants, in the body she wants to be loved in, without risking her life. Is saving her love worth sacrificing her true self?

Why I want to read it: I adore books that tackle cultural and religious aspects. I think I am even more interested in this book because cultural and religious aspects strike close to home. I am very interested to see how the plot plans out and whether or not things turn out alright in the end. I am currently on a hunt to find some more books like this.



Since you asked - Maurene Goo

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 262
Publication date: June 25th 2013

Goodreads Blurb: No, no one asked, but Holly Kim will tell you what she thinks anyway.

Fifteen year old Holly Kim is the copyeditor for her high school's newspaper. When she accidentally submits an article that rips everyone to shreds, she gets her own column and rants her way through the school year. Can she survive homecoming, mean girl cliques, jocks, secret admirers, Valentine's Day, and other high school embarrassments, all while struggling to balance her family's traditional Korean values?

In this hilarious debut, Maurene Goo takes a fresh look at trying to fit in without conforming to what's considered 'normal' in high school and how to manage parental expectations without losing one's individuality… or being driven insane.

Why I want to read it: If there is anything I remember from comprehensive school, it is just how much gossip gets spread around. I spent five years in a colossal game of chinese whispers that I did not opt into and could not opt out of.I guess this sort of ties in with the book above because once again it has to do with a clash of cultures. On top of that, reading about high school drama is always much better than being involved in it. I'm kind of hoping that this has a bit of a 'Mean Girls' vibe to it. If it does I'm sure it will be an enjoyable read.



The dollhouse asylum - Mary Gray

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 296
Publication date: October 22nd 2013

Goodreads Blurb: A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields - a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus - she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.

At first, Elysian Fields, with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.

The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now 'Persephone' and each couple has been renamed to reflect they most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the set, they must play along.

If they play it right, then they'll be safe.

But it they play it wrong, they'll die.

Why I want to read it: I'm not sure what to expect from this one. I came across it on goodreads but haven't seen any reviews of it on anyone's blog. The plot intrigues me. It feels like there is a manipulative relationship and a play for power. I'm very interested to see how things play out and also if the whole virus epidemic has more than just a background role to the story. I do enjoy books where there is more to people than the perfect life they set out to show the world. If I was Cheyenne I'd be pretty scared of what Teo is capable of.

Wishlist Wednesday (#1)

The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion

Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 327
Publication date: May 1st 2013

Goodreads Blurb: Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second dat. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that her is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him he would make a 'wonderful' husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet her must concede to the statistical probability that there us someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical - most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent - and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie - and the realisation that love is not always what looks good on paper.

Why I want to read it: I am a medical geneticist and considering that it's not a job that is at the top of the list for most people I get very excited when I see it somewhere and that was my initial thought. The plot of the book seems interesting and would probably one of those comfort books if it relies heavily on the romance. I haven't seen much about this book in the blogosphere so I think I'll be pretty neutral going into it when I finally buy it.




Why We Broke Up - Daniel Handler

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 354

Publication date: December 27th 2011

Goodreads Blurb: Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

Why I want to read it: Love is good. Love is great! But I love a good break up. And I love them even more when there's a lot of build up to it. 'Why we broke up' seems to be exactly that type of book. I'm guessing that each item in the box has a story behind it, good and bad and what I love even more is that there are illustrations in this book as well. What I am majorly interested in is how both these character cope with the break up and why it happens.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before - Jenny Han

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Pages: 288

Publication date: April 15th 2014

Goodreads Blurb: To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who was never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

Why I want to read it: This would be my worst nightmare. We have all been there. Fancying that guy in school who we know we don't have a chance with so we don't say anything. Lara Jean is already braver than I am because at least she admitted her feelings somewhere. No doubt this book is going to have a little bit of drama with Lara having to confront the boys. I feel it will be especially awkward for her when she's up against her sister's ex-boyfriend (awkward!). I've seen a few bloggers get excited over this one but haven't seen any reviews yet so the general hype around it is bumping it towards the top of my list.