Top Ten Tuesday: Covers/Titles with Things Found in Nature

Helena's picks

Top Ten Covers/Titles with Things Found in Nature: YA edition

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Powers I Wish I Had: YA Edition

Holly K. explores (and wishes) for character powers she found in books. Take a look!

1. Telekinesis - Castle, Unravel Me, Tahereh Mafi
2. Invisibility - Kenji Kishimoto, Unravel Me, Tahereh Mafi

3. Water manipulation - Sailor Mercury, Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi
4. Electrokinesis - Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi
5. Precognition - Sailor Uranus, Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi 

6. Mind, spirit, and dream control - Inan, Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi
7. Control of the earth and iron - Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi
8. Guide of life and death - Zélie, Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi
9. Control of light and darkness -Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi
10. Power of healing - Zu, Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi

Epic Reading Challenge: January

Written by Grace H.

This year, the TBG will be participating in the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month presents a different prompt to inspire our reading choices! We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate in the prompt each month!

For January, the prompt was… the first book in a series

As one of my 2024 reading goals, I had aspired to read the entire Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, and I’m thrilled to say that I completed that goal this month. 

So, to respond to the prompt for this month, I will be writing about the first book in the series, which is named the same as the series: Throne of Glass.

This high fantasy YA novel is centered around Celaena Sardothien, known as the most skilled assassin in all of Adarlan. For the past year, Celaena has been kept captive at a slave labor camp on the outskirts of the kingdom. The story follows her as she is removed from the camp to compete as the king’s assassin in a competition, where winning will guarantee her freedom. 

This story is fast-paced and high-stakes, which makes it a quick and entertaining read. While the plot may seem shallow and cliche at a first glance, reading the rest of the series reveals that the first novel in the series was a stepping stone that would set up complex plot points for the remaining seven books in the series. I found the story to be exciting and the characters to be well-written, even from this first installment. 

Reading an eight-book series (that totals around 5,000 pages) can certainly seem like a daunting task, but it is well worth it in the end, and this starting novel lays the perfect foundation for the rest of the series. 

What first book in a series did you choose to read in January? Let us know down below and join in the fun!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Book Couples (and the books they're from)

 Grace H.'s list

In preparation for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, no topic could be more fitting than this:

Top Ten Favorite Book Couples (and the books they’re from)

1. Peeta and Katniss from The Hunger Games

2. Pip and Ravi from A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

3. Chloe and Shara from I Kissed Shara Wheeler

4. Warner and Juliette from Shatter Me 

5. Liz and Wes from Better Than The Movies

6. Lily and Kathleen from Last Night at the Telegraph Club

7. June and Saul from A Million Junes

8. Lila and Orion from A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

9. Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper

10. Rowan and Neil from Today Tonight Tomorrow

Happy Valentine’s Day, and the Teen Book Guild will see you soon for the next Top Ten Tuesday!

Book Review: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Reviewed by Christopher K.
Grade 12

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys is a riveting historical thriller that grabs readers from the very first page. The author weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue set against the backdrop of the tumultuous political landscape the Cold War. The story captivates and leaves readers eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the plot.

At the core of the novel is protagonist Christian’s moral dilemma. He grapples with choosing loyalty to someone close to him versus loyalty to his own morals. Sepetys expands on this idea through Christian’s psyche, which highlights the challenge of his decision. The narrative unfolds in a war-torn setting, with Christian navigating a treacherous path of betrayal and sacrifice. 

Another aspect of the book that enhances its depth is the incorporation of historical accuracy and modern storytelling seamlessly. Such is the case with a house Christian’s mother cleans, as he must spy on the homeowner which is told from through his unique lens but is a situation not uncommon to the Cold War landscape. This demonstrates how Sepetys blends real events with the fictional elements of the story, which not only enriches the narrative but also provides a deeper understanding of the characters' motivations and actions.

For me, the most captivating aspect of this book is the author's way of writing, which will leaves readers immersed in both the story and the characters. Her use of symbolism and foreshadowing adds layers of complexity to the plot and allows the tension to build steadily. This creates a sense of urgency within the reader that makes it difficult to put the book down. As the story unfolds, the reader is taken on a rollercoaster of emotions which is significantly improved by Sepetys’s voice.

As a whole, I Must Betray You is an excellent read that combines a compelling hook, engaging storytelling, and a rich web of plot details. Sepetys crafts a narrative that never fails to entertain and leave a lasting impact. For me, this book was a must read and for fans of historical fiction or mysteries in general, this is also a must read. 

BOOK VS FILM! The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han

by Grace H.

Disclaimer: minor spoilers ahead.

The Summer I Turned Pretty series, written by Jenny Han, follows Belly, an energetic teenager. Each summer, Belly and her family visit the beach town of Cousins, staying with their lifelong friends, the Fishers. Jeremiah and Conrad, the family's two boys, are Belly's best friends. Throughout the series, Belly gets caught in a love triangle between the two brothers, and relationships among the family become complicated. It is a drama-filled series that draws in the viewer. The TV show adaptation, starring Lola Tung and Christopher Briney, can be found on Prime Video. With a few exceptions that we'll talk about later, the TV series and the books are pretty similar to one another. Which is done better, the film series or the book?

TV Series

In many ways, the TV show is more developed than the book series. First of all, the characters are more complex in the TV series. In addition to giving the key characters—like Belly and Conrad—more nuance, the TV series gives interesting subplots to the supporting characters, who were seldom mentioned in the book series. We see side-character romances between Taylor and Steven, as well as Laurel and Cleveland.

The TV show's usage of music is yet another benefit. Many of the scenes in the show are improved by their use of catchy, trending songs such as those by Taylor Swift. One drawback of the show is that watching all of the episodes takes dedication. Two seasons are currently available, and the third and final season should appear in the summer of 2024.

Book Series

Original covers!

The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy debuted in 2009, many years before being adapted for the screen. The writing is only mediocre, and the plot lines are basic, but my main complaint is the characters. Belly, our protagonist, is constantly whining about something or another. It's quite tiring to read about her grumbling, and I quickly became disenchanted with her attitude.

The TV series tackles Belly's personality much better and is much more satisfying to watch. Despite these criticisms, the book series drew me in. They are quick and easy reads, not requiring much brain power to get through. The books will remain a staple on the bookshelves of teenage girls everywhere.

Verdict

After deliberation, I've found the TV series to be the best way to experience the drama. With its interesting subplots, appealing music, and sophisticated characterization, the TV show wins. I'm looking forward to the final season coming next summer!

via GIPHY