Showing posts with label young. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Book Review - The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon
Cassandra McMurtrey has everything she could want. Her parents are kind and generous and she wouldn't trade them for anything. However, Cass is adopted and she has questions about who she is. She wants to know more about herself that her adoptive parents can't answer no matter how much they love her. 

Eighteen years ago, a sixteen-year-old girl becomes pregnant. She decides to give her daughter up for adoption and writes her unborn daughter a series of letters. The novel alternates between the expectant mother and Cass searching for answers.

I thought the novel to be a cute read. I am not adopted but, I have considered adoption and the novels give insight on how a child might feel about being adopted. For example, Cass and her best friend, Nyla has conflicting views on finding their birth parent.  I enjoyed reading the interactions with Cass and her friends. I love the supportive relationship Cass has with her friends and family. The author did a good job portraying that love and support can come from anywhere.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**



Imprint: HarperTeen (November 5, 2019)
On Sale: 11/05/2019
Pages: 464
List Price: 17.99 USD Age: 13+
ISBN: 9780062693167
ISBN 10: 0062693166


Praise for THE HOW & THE WHY

“The novel’s great strength is the emotional depth of its characters and the complexity of their relationships. A heartfelt and hopeful story about coming of age as an adoptee.” ―School Library Journal

“Hand explores adoption’s multiple dimensions with great insight and sensitivity. Inclusive and illustrative: an engaging lesson in timeless family values.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Cynthia Hand is the master of pulling at your heartstrings. The How & the Why tells both sides of an adoption story with love, compassion, and care. You’ll be reaching for your tissue box with this one -- if you can stop turning pages long enough, that is.” ―Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times Bestselling Author of Letters to the Lost

“Beautifully rendered and superbly shaped. Hand has crafted an absorbing novel that focuses on family, friendship, teen pregnancy, adoption, personal choices, and serious health issues. Give this exquisite novel to readers seeking an emotionally intricate story.” ―Booklist (starred review)


A poignant exploration of family and the ties that bind, perfect for fans of Far From the Tree, from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand.

Today Melly had us writing letters to our babies…

Cassandra McMurtrey has the best parents a girl could ask for. They’ve given Cass a life she wouldn’t trade for the world. She has everything she needs—except maybe the one thing she wants. Like, to know who she is. Where she came from. Questions her adoptive parents can’t answer, no matter how much they love her.

But eighteen years ago, someone wrote Cass a series of letters. And they may just hold the answers Cass has been searching for.

Alternating between Cass’s search for answers and letters from the pregnant teen who gave her up for adoption, this voice-driven narrative is the perfect read for fans of Nina LaCour and Jandy Nelson.


You can purchase The How & the Why at the following Retailers:
        

Photo Content from Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the UNEARTHLY trilogy, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, MY LADY JANE and MY PLAIN JANE (with fellow authors Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows), THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE, and the upcoming novel THE HOW AND THE WHY (Fall 2019). Before turning to writing for young adults, she studied literary fiction and earned both an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in fiction writing. She currently resides in Boise, Idaho, with a husband who's addicted to typewriters, two kids, two cats, one crazy dog, and a entourage of imaginary friends.

        
WEEK ONE
NOVEMBER 4th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW
NOVEMBER 5th TUESDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW
NOVEMBER 5th TUESDAY Life Within the Pages REVIEW
NOVEMBER 6th WEDNESDAY TTC Books and More EXCERPT
NOVEMBER 6th WEDNESDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW
NOVEMBER 7th THURSDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT 
NOVEMBER 7th THURSDAY Booknerdchelcie REVIEW
NOVEMBER 8th FRIDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW 
NOVEMBER 8th FRIDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

WEEK TWO
NOVEMBER 11th MONDAY Kait Plus Books REVIEW
NOVEMBER 11th MONDAY On My Bookshelf REVIEW & INTERVIEW 
NOVEMBER 12th TUESDAY BookHounds YA REVIEW & INTERVIEW 
NOVEMBER 13th WEDNESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW 
NOVEMBER 13th WEDNESDAY Lenissahh Reads REVIEW
NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Wonder Struck REVIEW
NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Random Bookish Banter REVIEW
NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Little Bookish Thoughts REVIEW & INTERVIEW
NOVEMBER 15th FRIDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW
NOVEMBER 15th FRIDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*
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Friday, April 4, 2014

My Spa Life Forever Young Face Wrap - Avocado and Vitamin E








Something about putting a wet paper-thin cloth over my face makes me so relaxed. I was a bit hesitant to try this face mask as I am allergic to avocado. But since, I am glutton for punishment -- I went ahead and bought it. Avocado has long been touted as a superfood, by consuming it and also with skincare benefits. It has nourishing properties, soothe irritated skin, soften and hydrate skin. Avocados contain healthy fats and phytonutrients that pamper and protect the skin.  As being stuck inside the hotel room all day because of thunderstorms, I greedily tore the packet and applied the mask. The mask was thoroughly saturated with the serum and had a pleasant scent. I felt relaxed and my face felt cool. After 30 minutes, I removed the mask and my face was drenched with  the serum. I left it on for another 10 minutes to dry. My face did feel a bit tight, but it was soft and smooth afterwards. For $5 - $6 a mask, it is quite the bargain.