Books on Sale: YA Mythology, Literary Fiction, And Beverly Cleary’s Autobiography

Anthropology of an American Girl is .99c. It was originally self published in 2003. The book went on to be an RT Top Pick, and an Oprah Magazine discussion pick (I do not know if that's nearly as big as her book club but I suspect not). The reviews are very divided – some people found it overwritten, wordy and confusing, and other readers felt it spoke to them intimately.

A moving depiction of the transformative power of first love, Hamann’s first novel follows Eveline Auerbach from her high school years in East Hampton, New York, in the 1970s through her early adulthood in the moneyed, high-pressured Manhattan of the 1980s.

Centering on Evie’s fragile relationship with her family and her thwarted love affair with Harrison Rourke, a professional boxer, the novel is both a love story and an exploration of the difficulty of finding one’s place in the world. As Evie surrenders to the dazzling emotional highs of love and the crippling loneliness of heartbreak, she strives to reconcile her identity with the constraints that all relationships—whether those familial or romantic, uplifting to the spirit or quietly detrimental—inherently place on us.

Though she stumbles and strains against social conventions, Evie remains a strong yet sensitive observer of the world around her, often finding beauty and meaning in unexpected places.

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The Girl from Yamhill is Beverly Cleary's memoir. It's on sale for a little more than 50% off at $5.69 – $5.99. That's high for a “bargain” but memoirs don't always get discounted heavily.

Beverly Clearly (who is still with us at age 96) is the author of the Henry Huggins series, the Ramona Quimby series, and some young adult novels that I adore unconditionally – and that still make me cry, such as The Luckiest Girl. The Girl from Yamhill is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Generations of children have grown up with Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, and all of their friends, families, and assorted pets.

For everyone who has enjoyed the pranks and schemes, embarrassing moments, and all of the other poignant and colorful images of childhood brought to life in Beverly Cleary books, here is the fascinating true story of the remarkable woman who created them.

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My Ex From Hell is free for Kindle right now. I'm honestly not sure what to make of this book but it's free so I sent it on over to Ye Olde Readinge Devicee. It's a mythology retelling (which I love) and it's YA (which I like) and it's got umpty-four animated squee-gif reviews on GoodReads (which make me curious).

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:

a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)

b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits:
1) awesome abilities,
2) grudges, and
3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.

Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world. Literally.

This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed. Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.

Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world.

Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe … … and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.

My Ex From Hell is a romantic comedy/Greek mythology smackdown. Romeo and Juliet had it easy.

GoodReads | Amazon (free)