sean griswold’s head

Are you ever tempted to sum up an entire book with one word? I rarely am – I usually need at least ten (and probably more) to describe how a book felt, what it was about, and so on. But for Lindsey Leavitt’s latest novel, I needed just one: CUTE. Seriously. Sean Griswold’s Head caught my interest because someone mentioned its very cuteness, too. I need to get better at remembering who inspires me to read a particular book, because I want to high five that person like, rightNOW.

According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object – an item to concentrate her emotions on. It's supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold's head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas-it's an alphabetical order thing), but she's never really known him.

The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father's newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it's working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking-er, focusing on-Sean Griswold…all of him! He's cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own.

In this sweet story of first love, Lindsey Leavitt seamlessly balances heartfelt family moments, spot-on sarcastic humor, and a budding young romance.

Payton Gritas is dealing with some heavy stuff at home, and everything in her life seems to be tilting sideways. But when she’s given an assignment to find and write about a focus object, it all clicks into place – for a while. Being a teenager isn’t easy though, and soon everything is falling apart again. It’s up to Payton to find a way to cope, and to navigate the tricky waters of high school, relationships and family while somehow maintaining a sense of humor and her sense of self.

This book is incredibly sweet and (yes, I said it earlier) cute, but it’s not fluffy. It’s also funny and sarcastic. Payton herself has OCD tendencies and a mild obsession with Seinfeld and sports (bonus factor!). Quirks are minor and the focus is on self-discovery, but the family and friend drama is quite real and Payton’s response to it by turns annoying, endearing, and courageous.

Payton’s best friend Jac and Sean’s sidekick Grady deserve their own stories, and I’m even curious about Payton’s parents. In this story, no one seems intentionally slighted in the character development section, and that’s both refreshing and unexpected. While there were a few times I wanted to kick Payton into shape, being in her head and experiencing her growth was entertaining. What can I say? I totally would have been her friend back in the day. Also? Sean = ADORBS.

Things I didn’t like: despite the title, this book stays in girl-only territory. Although it’s got sports aplenty and a male main character, the voice and audience are definitely female. Nothing wrong with that, but I like to see books that will appeal to both sexes. As far as objections go, that’s all I have – and that’s pretty awesome, if you ask me.

Recommended for: tweens and teens (nothing in this one will set off warning bells), fans of sports in YA novels, anyone who is dealing with or who has dealt with family illness, and those who enjoy an innocent coming-of-age story that fits nicely in the category of ‘cute.’ Harmless and perfect summer reading!

teaser tuesday (63)

It's Teaser Tuesday, a bookish blog meme hosted every week by MizB of Should Be Reading. Here's how it works:

Grab your current read and let it fall open to a random page (or if you're reading on an electronic device, pick a random number and scroll to that section). Post two or more sentences from that page, along with the book title and author. Share your find with others in the comments at Should Be Reading, and don't give anything vital away!

‘“Tell me. What is surfer-speak for ‘the next pitcher is on you’?”

“What’s Creole for ‘Bite me’?”

Ash cleared her throat. “Do you two need to be alone? I’m suffocating on testosterone.”’

p. 58 of Karsten Knight’s Wildefire (ARC version, subject to change)

mini raspberry blueberry cheesecakes

I get a baking bug every now and again (or every 2.75 weeks on the dot, whichever you prefer), often when I’m between grocery trips. This means I rely on the power of the internet to find a recipe that will fit the ingredients I have on hand. Yesterday I faced a different dilemma – an equipment-related one. I found a peach buttermilk pie recipe that looked delectable, but I didn’t have a pie pan on hand. Sad times! So instead, I decided to try mini cheesecakes. Delicious!

Mini Raspberry Blueberry Cheesecakes (adapted from this recipe)

INGREDIENTS

Cheesecakes

1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnaps

2 tablespoons butter (melted)

16 ounces cream cheese

3/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fruit Topping

1/3 cup raspberry preserves or jam

1/2 pint blueberries

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/3 cup apple juice

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin tins with aluminum liners (or paper in a pinch).

Crush the gingersnaps and mix with melted butter. Scoop one tablespoon of the gingersnap mixture into each liner.

Blend the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Pour cream cheese mixture over the gingersnap crust, almost to the top of each muffin cup.

Place cheesecakes in preheated oven, and bake 20-22 minutes (I wasn’t sure how long to bake them, so I set the timer to 15 minutes and then checked on them every 2 minutes).

Mix and cook all topping ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and cool thoroughly before serving with cheesecakes. For those days when you don’t feel up to making the topping yourself, you can also open a can of pie filling (any type).

If not eating immediately, refrigerate. Makes 12 mini cheesecakes, and takes less than an hour! Wonders never cease.

Recommended for: an easy, scrumptious dessert that will impress everyone, a deliciously rich treat to go with a glass of wine at the end of the day, or a sinful snack to keep you going during the afternoon doldrums.

long overdue giveaway

I've been at this blogging thing for over three years now. I know, right?! I can't believe it myself. What I can believe: I totally forgot my blog anniversary this year. I also didn't do a single thing to celebrate passing the 500 follower mark. While neither of those events NEEDS to be acknowleged, I'd like to use them. Use them to offer you, my lovely, loyal readers, a bookish 'something' to take away and enjoy for yourselves. SO, belatedly, welcome to the party!

[art from tammyolson's etsy shop]

Of course, a party isn't perfection unless there are prizes. Thus, a giveaway: two entrants will receive $25 US for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or the Book Depository (Amazon and B&N via gift certificate, Book Depository I'll order for you). Giveaway open internationally, will end 7/22 at 11:59pm EST. To enter: simply fill out the FORM.

Thanks for coming by once, once a month, or every day. You are appreciated, and if I could bake you all cupcakes to show you how much, I totally would.