Missing You by Meg Cabot

The final instalment in the incredible Missing series is absolutely brilliant. It is a little older than the previous novels, Jess is now living in New York (well, Hells Kitchen) with best friend Ruth. She is going to Julliard and working very hard to keep her place as first chair in the flute section. Jess is just a normal girl. And that's the problem, she is normal - her powers are gone.

Jess had gone to help in Afghanistan. What was she supposed to do? People needed her and they needed her there. So off she went leaving behind her sort-of boyfriend, Rob, and her whole life to find people for the US government. But now that she is back, she is having nightmares, she can't find people anymore and she sure as hell isn't sure what she is doing with her life.

That is... until Rob shows up on her doorstep.

I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED this book. Jess is older now, but just the same, if a little more grown-up. She is broken, or at least that is pretty easy to say when it comes to her powers, but she is even letting Skip take her out on dates!! She is letting her mother tell her who to be. Where has Jess gone?

The best parts of this book surrounded Jess's family (Mike, Douglas, Ruth, her dad) and Cabot's interesting portrait of post-traumatic stress in a teenage girl who went to war. She brings a little bit of reality to her stories that keep you reading, (hooked, really). This whole series has been one big discussion about the US government and their tactics, if you were a teenager would you really want to work for them?

There is also a pretty nice reference to the TV show based on this series, Missing that obviously changed quite a few plot points. One being her father (in the TV show he is dead). It is a cute reference and is a great benchmark to show her notoriety in her home town has not diminished.

I read this in one sitting, it is an absolutely brilliant book that straddles the teen and adult market perfectly. There are adult themes that didn't exist in the previous books, but Jess is older now. I only wish there were more of this series, but sadly this is the last. I hope you do read it. The whole series is well worth reading, especially now! Go out and buy them or even borrow from your local library. Let's show the books, and the incomparable Meg Cabot, some book-buying/borrowing love.

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

Jennifer Egan's brilliant (and Pulitzer Prize Winning) A Visit from the Goon Squad is simply fantastic. It is a novel about life, love, failure, success and the constant ups-and-downs of modern living. This book is so powerful it kept me glued to it's pages. I was unable to do anything else, except read.

I have heard many a story about the brilliance of this book, it was published in 2010 and has been snowballing those awards until it's grand finale in 2011 when the Pulitzer dropped its own hat and bowed down in amazement. All of a sudden this book was an international must-read and I kind of missed it, so here I am a few years later devouring it in one sitting.

I almost find it difficult to describe this book, but here goes:

Crudely you could say this is a book about the music industry, it does have many characters who work in the industry, but I would have to say that this is just a book about life, the music industry is just a handy tool to further illustrate Egan's point. There are many overlapping themes and repetitions about youth, anger, fear, growing up, cruelty and the desire to preserve ourselves, our lives, our past. Nostalgia is a sign of decline while moving with the times can be terrifying, you can feel yourself getting lost. Each character/chapter brings with it it's own insight into different characters, each trying to be 'the survivors'.

Sasha is the first character we meet, she is sitting on a couch talking to her therapist, trying desperately to work out her impulse control issues, while regaling the reader with a blind date story. The next chapter jumps back in time to Bennie (Sasha's old boss) and his fears of getting older, losing something he once had, not being able to connect with his son, looking back over his own failures and embarrassments.

This is just a brief introduction into the characters you meet in Egan's wonderfully crafted novel. They are flawed human beings, people who are going through something, people who feel like they will never succeed. With incredible skill Egan takes us on a wild ride, jumping between time periods, characters and even narrative styles (you have all heard about the PowerPoint slide chapter). What is astounding is that she doesn't lose her touch. She is just as convincing as a 10 year old girl as she is a 43 year old man. With each chapter Egan delves a little deeper into the collective character storyline, weaving an incredibly interconnected narrative.

I could go on and tell you all my favourite parts, but I feel that you should read it yourself. There is so much to say about this moving and brilliant book, so many points where I clutched the book or when I was so overcome I nearly couldn't keep reading. It was a book that made me laugh, gasp and nearly cry. An inherently wise and beautiful book that I most highly recommend.

'Sanctuary' by Meg Cabot

The fourth instalment of the fantastic Missing series starts with a Thanksgiving meal shared with neighbours and family. What a lot Jess has to be thankful for, like Rob inviting her over for another Thanksgiving dinner! But criminals don't seem to take holidays, not even on Thanksgiving. And when the neighbour's kid  turns up dead in a cornfield, well Jess can't ignore it. Especially when another kid goes missing the next day. Who is behind it and can Jess defeat them?

Jess Mastriani vs serious criminals in not a book you want to miss. This series just keeps getting better! Each story becomes more terrifying and I can see, at least a little, how Heather Wells came into the world. Murder, mystery and mayhem, but with a heroine who keeps you laughing and rooting for her way past the last page. Jess is someone I want to be friends with, she is gutsy and bold, never cruel and always fair. Meg Cabot had created a winning character and series with Missing!

Unfortunately all I wanted to do was download the final novel in the series, but it is not available on kindle. So had to order the book (was actually pleased!) which I will start reading 'Pronto Toronto'! But I will be sad to finish this series, even though I will then be rereading the Heather Wells' mysteries in order. So, I would advise you all to go out and get your hands on these books! These are incredible page-turners that will keep your beside lamp burning well into the night.

Safe House by Meg Cabot

Here we go again...

Jess Mastriani is feeling pretty good about things, she has a brand new wardrobe from Esprit and a little bit of money saved up from her summer job at a summer camp. The new year of school looks set to be pretty good and the weather still thinks it's summer. But when she returns for the first day of school she is suddenly the most hated person - why? Because Amber is dead. A perky cheerleader, who cared about the world around her, Amber had sat in front of Jess for 6 years in homeroom (not that that made them friends), until that first day back at school.

How is this Jess' fault? Well, Amber was missing before she was killed and Jess was no where to be found...so, ya the whole student body is blaming her and Jess has no escape. Except when  Amber's boyfriend (now ex), the star quarterback starts talking to her...well things might just turn out to be okay? Or at least that's what Jess starts to think...

Alright, I'm being a bit cryptic here, I just don't want to spoil anything for you guys. This is, in my opinion, the best 1-800-WHERE-R-U or 1-800-MISSING book yet. It was pretty scary stuff and full of twists I didn't see coming. I also really liked how Douglas comes more to the forefront of this novel and you see his relationship with his sister, which is really sweet. Rob also gets a good starring role, which just goes to show you that good guys can be found anywhere!

So, go on read this one next, it is amazing! Perfect for it's teenage audience, but with enough going on to draw in any reader. Two thumbs way up Miss Cabot! Now onto Sanctuary...

Code Name Cassandra by Meg Cabot

So, second in the 1-800-MISSING series from Meg Cabot and all I can say is: pretty exciting!!!! Jess has decided to work at a camp for musically gifted children for the summer, hopefully giving her time to get away from her house and the white van that has been parked across the street ever since she escaped from the FEDs in When Lightning Strikes. But where Jess goes adventure has to follow and while she is supposed to be keeping her abilities on the low-down it doesn't mean she can resist helping a father in need. Especially, if she can enlist the help of Rob Wilkes, who is now a graduate and working at his uncle's garage...maybe she will even convince him that she really isn't too young for him after all?

I love Jess as a character, she is fun and feisty with plenty of fight in her. She won't take anything lying down and isn't afraid to throw a few punches when necessary. I really like how Cabot manages to flip between a rather scary storyline and a potential romance (okay, massive crush that might not be returned...).

While this might not be as good a story as When Lightning Strikes, it does keep the series moving in a good direction and just wait until you start book 3 - what a terrific and rather terrifying plot that one is! Meg Cabot really knows how to toe the line between murder/crime and comedy. I was laughing along with Jess even while terrified for her and that is a talent not to be smirked at! Now go buy the book, (I would recommend getting as many as possible ASAP as these are page turners) and get acquainted with Jess Mastriani, the coolest psychic around!

When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot

Alright, so I don't really know what this series is called, it was: 1-800-Where R You, then Vanished, and then there was a TV show called 1-800-Missing (don't think this was very close to the book to be honest). Anyway, it is by Meg Cabot and as you know I have been getting rather excited about her new Heather Wells Mystery Size 12 and Ready to Rock which is just out in the US (I know, I am so upset). I have been delving through her backlist and reading everything I can get my hands on. Sadly, Mister Kindle won this time, as I had to fly on RyanAir which as you all know (or not, but I will tell you) means I can only carry one little bag and therefore couldn't carry all of these brilliant books. It was a tough time, but I am glad to be out of it now, thanks!

So onto the first in the Vanished series: When Lightning Strikes. Jess is a normal teenage girl, she protects her friends from bullies, plays the flute in orchestra and likes a boy who is too old for her (18, she's only 16) who drives a motorcycle (yep, he is the dream guy). So, here is Jess, all normal until she gets hit by lightning and when she wakes up the next day she knows exactly where the two kids on the back of the milk carton are. By 'exactly' I do mean addresses and zip codes and all of that. So what is a young girl supposed to do? If you are Jess then you convince the hot guy to drive you over to one of the addresses to make sure that kid really is there and then you call the Missing helpline (you got it: 1-800-WHERE-R-U).

Jess now has a superpower, but she's doing the right thing, finding these kids and returning them to their parents or loved ones - right? Well, sometimes doing the right thing is more complicated than that and Jess has to fight to right some wrongs. Who knew having a superpower would be so difficult!?

Anyway, this is a pretty exciting start to the series, there are FEDs and motorcycle gangs, but what really impressed me was the back story. Jess has an older brother called Douglas, he tried to commit suicide last year and is now living at home, on medication to help quiet the voices he hears in his head. While some of you might be like, 'Hey, that's depressing', I have to say, it is amazing. It brings depth to a novel that could just be a fun, flirty book about a girl who can find missing people and her way cool adventures, but it is so much more than that and definitely worth a read! So as always, I will beg you to visit your local bookstore, hunt around a library or, if you are super desperate like me and have to fly on RyanAir, buy it on Kindle. Just buy it, show the book-creating community some love and remember a book is pretty cheap compared to the cinema and you get to keep it forever and ever and ever!!!

Got the next one lined up and ready to go so watch this space - I will be filling it with awesome Meg Cabot books until I get my hands on her new Heather Wells!

Going Out by Scarlett Thomas

Can I really rave about this book? Will you let me? Because it is the only thing I can do under these circumstances. This book is really brilliant. It felt so original and fresh, especially when you remember that this book came out a good few years ago (2002) and it hasn't lost it's allure. I bought it from my trusty Waterstones so it had that new book smell and I read it while bombing around England on a high-speed train (which became rather terrifying).

Set in Essex in 2000/2001 Luke and Julie are next door neighbours and best friends (oh stop you, they are not secretly in love with each other), but they have never been outside together. They don't go to the pub or go for walks, eat ice cream in the sun, run inside from the rain; because Luke has never been outside (or at least not for a very long time). He is allergic to the sun and a whole lot of other things no one is very sure about. He has never felt the sun on his face and he lives his entire life through television and books. If you were telling him about how your friend had to go to hospital, Luke could only picture a hospital from a TV show or he would have to look it up on the internet.

Julie is a normal girl, well as normal as someone who loves maths and is afraid of death to the point where she is afraid to take fast trains, drive on motorways or A-roads and is so afraid of storms she has to sit in a closet until it passes. Julie also feels lost, like her life is stalled, but she doesn't want to go anywhere else. She just can't imagine ever leaving Luke and taking chances isn't really her thing.

The catalyst to the whole story, or modern day 20-somethings Wizard of Oz adventure (off to see the wizard....) is Charlotte who has told this Chinese healer all about Luke and now Wei says he could cure him...Yep, on they go to Wales of course - but will this bunch of misfits find what they are looking for? Well, you're just going to have to read the book to find out.

If you are looking for a quirky summer read, this is perfect. With it's brand new cover and the incredible reviews, I couldn't recommend it any higher. But of course you be the judge. Buy it from a bookshop (maybe even an independent?!) or visit your local library - let's try and keep Amazon out of this one for now...

Skin Deep by Nora Roberts

Chantel O'Hurley is the jaw-droppingly gorgeous movie star you have met in the other O'Hurley books. While she might not have come across so well in those, this book might answer some questions. I think all of her bluster and irritating moments that popped up in The Last Honest Woman and Dance to the Piper were all down to stress and fear - I mean who wouldn't be a little on edge with a stalker calling you in the middle of the night and making you fear for your own safety?!

When Chantel is forced to recognise that perhaps she does need protection in steps Quinn Doran, private investigator who is suddenly being pulled out of his office and back into the field. Protecting Chantel will be a full-time job, but can he really keep his hands off her or stop his heart from falling? Quinn doesn't trust himself around Chantel...

I actually quite enjoyed this book, Quinn was dark, broody and all things a hero should be. At points I wanted to strangle them both, as they keep assuming what the other was feeling and then not acting on their own desires - but hey the road to true love was never smooth. I really liked the stalker story-line, it isn't anywhere near as good as Nora's later work but shows you where she started out and how brilliant she is now.

So, onto the final one...Without a Trace all about that mysterious big brother we've heard so much about!

Dance to the Piper by Nora Roberts

Just look at that cover! Seriously amazing and now I wish I had that book in my possession and not just some boring cover (you saw it on the last Nora Roberts post, so dull compared to this one). Anyway, this is the story of Maddy O'Hurley, the middle triplet who has so much energy she can dance all night and all day - which is a good thing as she is a very talented Broadway actress.

Maddy is a quirky, free-spirit living her life for herself and no one else. She seems to relish making time for herself and going with the flow, even if that flow is taking her towards a rather high-strung, though seriously attractive music exec.

Reed's company is backing Maddy's new musical, a story about a stripper who meets the man of her dreams - but he thinks she is a librarian - what will happen? Reed however, is a pretty straight-laced, workaholic who is sure he knows what he wants and that it isn't Maddy. But, can he really resist her charms or will he end up head over heels for a woman he just can't believe would be good for him...?

All about assumptions and fear of commitment this book is a bit of a roller coaster. Maddy is quick to know what she wants and when she falls in love she knows it to be true, but Reed is a cynical, and at times, a bit of a jerk - who just needs to loosen up and believe that true love can be right in front of you.

I really enjoyed this, probably not as much as The Last Honest Woman, but it does give you a taste for the O'Hurley's high-flying, high-living lifestyle that will knock you over the head in Skin Deep. A quick read, perfect for a holiday and I have to say having them in 2-in-1 packs makes these books so easy to read one after the other!

Without a Trace by Nora Roberts

Okay, okay, this is the first cover I don't like, but hey-ho, here it is for you to make your own opinion. Trace O'Hurley has always been a bit of an enigma, throughout this series everyone is talking about him and yet you have to wait to the last book, just to meet him! Well he does not disappoint...

Trace left his travelling performing family to see the world, but not on good terms. His father was so hurt by his son's rejection of the family's lifestyle that they both said things they would live to regret. Now Trace is considering retiring from his job as an ISS agent (I know secret agents!!!) when Gillian Fitzpatrick tracks him down in a dingy bar.

She needs his help, her brother and his little girl have been captured by a terrorist ring who Trace knows are led by a mentally unstable man, who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. But, Trace wants to retire, he doesn't want to get shot again or go undercover! For the first time in a long time he wants to go home, to America, to his family...if they'll have him.

Gillian was a character i could really get behind! Strong, loyal and, of course, beautiful she is a woman who you almost want to be best friends with. Her heart really helps soften up the story, as Trace often comes across (when he is speaking to her) as a bit of a jerk, but inside we all know he is actually really sweet and cares for her a lot. Anyway, this is the last O'Hurley story and it is high-octane stuff! The best bit is all the amazing places they travel to and Nora's descriptions of Trace's life as a secret agent.

Final opinion on the O'Hurley's series: As much as I would love to say it was incredible, I can't. It is a decent series from a top-notch writer, but all in all I prefer some of her others. But give it a go if you like Nora, each book had it's own gem of a character and as always there is the classic touch of Nora! Nothing she does is every not worth reading and when you are waiting for a new series to come out, it's great to delve back into her backlist. Perfect for duvet days!