GReads Recommends... {5}

Need something new to read?  It's a new month, so I thought I'd list a few recommendations from my reading pile.

Most people know music is a close second to my love for reading.  So when I come across books that involve music in the story, I am beyond ecstatic!  I thought I'd recommend a few of my fav YA reads that incorporate music for other music-holics like myself :-)

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Love is all you need...or is it? Penny's about to find out in this wonderful debut.

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows - no more. It's a personal choice...and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born; The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways...which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like... {taken from goodreads.com}

With the subtle hints of The Beatles mixed in through out this book, I really enjoyed this story.  If you're looking for something light, care-free, and with a mix of feel-good emotions; then I suggest picking up The Lonely Hearts Club!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew—just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. 

Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road—diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards—this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself. {taken from goodreads.com}

Once again I am featuring this AMAZING book on my blog. One of the aspects of this book that makes it so outstanding is the playlists thrown in through out the story, as Amy & Roger make their way across America.  Morgan Matson has literally inserted scraps of paper with them written down.  I love that!  Plus I love that a lot of the music can be found on my iPod :-)

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about? {taken from goodreads.com}

This is my favorite Sarah Dessen book.  I loved the relationship between Remy & Dexter so, so much. Remy comes across as someone who is cold and not willing to open up, but it's Dexter who is warm and easy-going.  His silliness comes through in his music and instantly pulls Remy in.  If you are new to Dessen, I suggest starting with this book.  It's an instant favorite.

Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker

Austin music fest
Yay, summer in Austin!
Good food, good times. Fun for everyone!
Okay, living with my sorority-brainwashed cousin, who willingly goes by "Party Penny," is not exactly what I had in mind.
All your favorite bands
But the cute musicians I've met totally make up for it . . . like Sebastian. Swoon.
All ages welcome
So why can't I stop thinking about Penny's friend All-American Russ and his Texas twang??
Saturday & Sunday, from noon to midnight
Don't wait up! {taken from goodreads.com}

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. One, it's set in Austin, Texas - not far from where I live.  Two, the indie-music scene is well represented. And three, there's a summer romance!!  Lovestruck Summer may have a cheesy cover, but the story between the pages was an instant hit with me.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

When her ex writes a break-up song about her that rockets up the charts, Audrey is suddenly famous--she can't go out without being mobbed by fans and paparazzi. 

Readers can take a wild ride with Audrey as she makes headlines, confronts her ex on MTV, and shows the world who she really is. This irresistible, fast-paced novel has a totally hot new paperback cover! Its the song everyones singing. And its about her! But for Audrey, becoming famous overnight equals total, life-changing disaster. . . {taken from goodreads.com}

Telling you that I love this book is an understatement.  The writing is hilarious and brilliant.  The characters are so relate-able and instantly you find yourself falling in love with them.  The music through out is GENIUS!  Robin Benway has titled each chapter with a lyric from a different song.  It sets the tone for what you're about to read and makes it very difficult to put down.

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift. {taken from goodreads.com}

Jeri Smith-Ready knows how to bring the epicness of music in her writing.  She incorporates it within her characters in every thing she writes.  That aspect right there, immediately draws me to her books.  I loved the edgy, raw music represented through out Shade.  It sets the tone for some pretty emotional moments.  Every book needs a soundtrack, and this one is playing at full volume.