Lazy Book Club: Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

It's TIME! We're discussing The LBC Books for July: Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater! Here goes the usual warning: SPOILERS ABOUND! We're DISCUSSING the books which includes plot points and characters. Don't read THIS if you haven't read the books!

One of the first things that you notice about Shiver and Linger is Maggie’s writing. It’s lush and lyrical. I think if she lived ages ago she would’ve been a bard or poet. It makes something fantastic, like a story of werewolves, feel like a youthful romance instead of a gothic horror. I think it takes an incredible amount of talent to do that. If I read something supernatural, I’m usually reading it FOR the supernatural aspect, but in Shiver (and Linger), I’m reading FOR Grace and Sam. The fact that Sam is a werewolf is secondary.

I couldn’t agree more. Her writing scenes memorable because they are so lush and lyrical, as you say. For example, on Shiver, Ani said, “I liked that they had "grown up" together and the inexplicable bond they had, even though one was in wolf form for the majority of their time together." I think Maggie’s writing style made this work. Grace’s fascination with the wolves, Sam (as a wolf) always watching, and the scene where Grace and Sam first make contact in the woods behind Grace’s house. They were made all the stronger because of the way Maggie wrote these scenes. I said before that I could almost feel Grace’s hands buried in Sam’s fur (when he first allows her to touch him). That remains one of my favorite moments of the series.

Right. The way she interwove scenes and memories together to illustrate shared experiences was wonderful.

Which leads us to one of Maggie’s true talents - Character Voices. In Shiver, Sam’s voice and Grace’s voice are distinct but fit together perfectly. You feel them falling in love, but with the history behind it for them both. And then we get to Linger and I’m just blown away. We have Grace’s POV, Sam’s POV, and then we get Isabel and Cole’s point’s of view. What I love is that they’re so very different from one another, but it never once feels unnatural. It doesn’t feel like some woman in Virginia is trying to sound like a brooding rock star. It sounds like a wounded boy thrust into a rock lifestyle. I’m amazed. And Cole... Oh, Cole.

One of our readers summed it up: “In Linger, we meet Cole, who is seriously an amazing character from start to finish. His relationships with Isabel and Sam are really well drawn and amazing. We see more of Isabel, who is a fantastic character in her own right.”

Which is true. You want to hate Cole because Sam doesn’t trust him. But then you get to understand him and you realize you can’t hate him. And Isabel is so hard and focused, but we see why and so we understand her a little, too.

I feel the same way. At first I was a little hesitant about hearing the other voices, because I wasn’t ready for it and I wanted to get back to Sam and Grace. I remember thinking, “Who is this Cole? I don’t want to know him!” (Okay, yes, I was pouting a bit.) But, I got over it pretty quickly once I started to get into the other characters. And it was easy to “get into” the characters because, as you say, Maggie is so brilliant with switching voice.

Our reader Tiffany agreed with you: “I didn't think that I would like the new character insights, but I did. Cole was a fun addition. :) I was torn between liking him and hating him, but in the end....he was leaning towards the good guy ;) so what's not to like? :) I actually enjoyed Isabel's perspective too. She added some nice sass to the book.”

I think one of the neatest things about these alternating POVs was the ability to see how a character viewed themselves and then contrast it to how others saw them. Isabel and Cole’s perceptions of Grace and Sam’s relationship struck me in particular. Like this quote:

"Sam came over behind Grace's chair and slid a hand onto her neck. It was a simple gesture that didn't say possession so much as connection. Isabel's eyes were on that hand, the same way I guess mine were." - Cole, Linger, p. 332

I feel like the alternate POVs actually added quite a bit to our insight on Grace and Sam. The book would’ve been less without them.

Oh that's a good point! It does make their relationship seems so much stronger in light of how it is seen from the outside. Except as it is seen by Grace's parents in Linger. I'm surprised that none of our readers brought up their sudden interest in actually being parents.



I don’t know what to say about Grace’s parents. That I hate them? That they’re terrible people who probably never should’ve had a kid, but that I’m glad they did since I like Grace? Sadly, I don’t think they’re that far off the mark for a lot of parents of teens today. I’m sure there are lots of kids who can identify with feeling abandoned emotionally because their parents are too busy to participate in their lives.

I was surprised at how ANGRY I was at them. Honestly, it was like being a teen all over again. I was also proud (and maybe did a few fist-pumps) when Grace finally stood up to them. It never did sink it with them, which was unfortunate, but it made me somewhat happier that Grace finally expressed how she’s been feeling all these years. In Shiver you see her try to pretend their neglect doesn’t affect her, but in Linger we see that it does (especially in comparison with their sudden “interest” in her life) and she finally finds her voice to tell them so.

I think the biggest bombshell in Linger wasn’t much of a bombshell at all. We all saw it coming, and that’s not really a bad thing, but the way it took place made it feel clinical for me.

One of our readers agreed: “But the flip of Grace becoming a wolf was a little predictable. We see it coming from the first book, and I kept hoping she'd surprise me and not do it. I also felt a lot of the plot elements were convenient, like Cole being a super genius, or just unbelievable, like Grace not telling anyone she was sick or Sam not noticing the fever earlier when he was cuddling up with her nightly.

The focus on the science of the changes strips away some of the magic we felt, like when Sam took Grace to the golden clearing, or the idea that they could communicate through thoughts, even when Grace was human.”

Now, I don’t mind Grace’s transformation. Like I said, you could feel it coming from the start. But the science of it makes it seem less special, somehow. I’m torn because of course I want Grace and Sam to live happily ever after. But making werewolf-ism a disease is kind of like scientifically explaining why Santa isn’t real halfway through Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It just feels out of place with the magic that permeated Mercy Falls in Shiver. I was left feeling sad and missing that mystical element.

In terms of Grace becoming a wolf, I felt sad, but only because of Sam being left behind. I was actually happy for Grace in a way.

But I differ with you and our reader on the point of magic vs. science. I kind of like how science/logic stand in contrast with the magical, as well as with the lyrical quality of Maggie’s writing in these books. Linger, especially, seemed just so rational at points. Whereas the whole feel of the book is decidedly not rational.

I understand that, and I didn’t dislike it as much as the reader did, but I still can’t help but feel that there are some things that I don’t want a rational explanation for.




Ah - interesting. But at the same time, you WANT the cure, right? You WANT Sam and Grace to be together - human together. So, it's a conflict.





But if becoming a werewolf is magic then there’d be a magical way out of it. Can’t I have both?





Not in these books. *grins* Or at least not yet. Maybe Maggie has magic in store for Forever?

What about you all? We'd love to hear your thoughts on Shiver, Linger, and what you think might happen in Forever. Do you think magic or science will prevail? Will Grace and Sam end up together somehow? (Please say yes.)

Doin' IT (Yes, IT) in YA

Katarinasmama and I were discussing a certain book via text and the LACK of sex in it. And how this vexed me. (Trust me. I was very vexed.) So I thought it'd be fun if we split up some of our favorite YA books into categories. I propose the following:


1. Needs Some Doin' It (e.g. Twilight)
2. Needs LESS Doin' It (e.g. Breaking Dawn *cough*Renesmee*cough*)
3. Did It JUST RIGHT (e.g. Shiver)


Did It Just Right: Well, besides Shiver, which defines JUST RIGHT, there is Lisa McMann's series, WAKE/FADE/GONE. The scene with Cabel and Janie in the shower?? Okay, yes, I'm laughing. And only because they referenced Judy Blume's Forever which is the ultimate Did It Just Right book. Who can ever forget the name "Ralph"?

So add to these some new stories where the focus isn't a Coming Of Age Theme but where there is a romantic subplot and the Doing It parts are written really well: Siren by Tricia Rayburn (out on July 13th) and the recently released Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready. They don't skirt around the issue. Yes, I enjoyed using that cliche. *skirts away*


Ah yes, Janie and Cabel. I would definitely add that to the Did It Just Right category. And Shiver! I just finished it (again) so that scene is fresh in my mind.... Yeah, Just Right.




Needs Some Doin' It: I'll say it...but JACE AND CLARY! Okay, well, there was this outtake from the Mansion Collapse Scene and that, you know, hinted at what could have happened, if only the world wasn't literally collapsing around them and well, the small matter of that they could be *coughs* siblings.

But, did anyone think that Jace and Clary were really brother and sister?? I mean, seriously? I know it's icky to even think about it. Who didn't nod their head and understand perfectly when Jace told Clary in City of Ashes (p. 182), "We could keep it a secret."

Yes, I just said it. Nodding along to Jace's request. I'll now retreat back to my lair.


Okay, CoA was a book that definitely needed SOME DOIN' IT!

I was TOTALLY with you in the whole "nudge nudge, wink wink" Jace and Clary wrongness. I actually rationalized to myself while reading that our feelings on incest come from the RELATIONSHIPS that we have with siblings, and if that you were raised separately, and had no idea, then how could you really be faulted? Especially if you were in love with Jace? *nodding no* I would not judge. Unless your kids had 10 thumbs and no nose. Then I'd judge. A little.

My favorite Jace description quote from CoA: " "Some guys look at you like they only want sex. Jace looks at you like you've had sex - it was great and now you're just friends."




Mmm... And then there's this new excerpt that Ms. Clare just released, as if she KNEW we were having this discussion, involving a bed. *grins evilly*

While this whole topic is an attempt to look humorously at the way sex is handled in YA lit, I feel like it is really important to recognize the books that get it right. It's not because I want to read about sex. (Well, not ENTIRELY. *winks*) It's because if I'm going to have a discussion with my children ABOUT sex, these are the types of encounters I want to discuss. Ones, like in Shiver, where it is portrayed as a natural progression of a loving relationship. It wasn't taken lightly, nor was it glorified. It just WAS.

I think the subject is out there, Leigh, and some books Do It, some just avoid it, and then some *smiles at Julie Kagawa* keep their characters too busy just trying to survive and leave no time for more than a really hot kiss and a declaration of "never again".

I've had THE TALK with my 11yo DS. It is important to present what should happen, i.e. "natural progression of a loving relationship" but also one must talk about the repercussions of unprotected sex, i.e. avoiding the half-vamp, half-human baby.

Which is also a great point. So I guess Renesmee serves a purpose after all.

All seriousness aside, just about any book with an "OMG we will all die in battle tomorrow" plot line NEEDS SOME DOIN' IT. *coughs and glares at Julie Kagawa* #TeamAsh

So, what do y'all think? What books would you put into the Needs More/Needs Less/Just Right categories? Let us know!

Lazy Book Club for July: Shiver & Linger

Lazy Book Club for July will be both Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater!

Now, you don’t have to read both, you can comment on either book, but we’ll be discussing both at the end of the month. AND? Linger is already available at some booksellers! My copy is on it’s way from Barnes & Noble. I also read that some stores have it in stock! Go! Buy! Read!

And then come back and tell us what you thought, as always.

Reading Rain-bow: What To Read?

So... Reading Rain-bow is going to be a little different this week. Rather than recommend a specific book I'm going to ask for your recommendations. More on that later.

BUT FIRST, HAVE YOU SEEN THE AMAZING NEW TRAILER FOR LINGER?? Maggie Stiefvater made this herself (including the music - is there anything she can't do?), and seriously, it's brilliant. The music, the imagery, the everything. I don't know if I've ever been so excited to read a book! I am planning on re-reading Shiver in July and I'm trying to hold myself to that. Watching this makes me want to grab Shiver and sequester myself in the reading room.

RIGHT? Brilliant. Linger will be out July 20th, so if you haven't read Shiver yet, get thee to the bookstore! Now! Go! *shoos you off to the bookstore*

Okay, so back to the rain-bow... this week I'd just like to talk about some books in my TBR list. I have to make a big ol' book order this week and I'd LOVE to get some suggestions from you all. I don't know if you all know, but Mr. R and I are adopting our second child, so I'll be on a VERY, VERY LONG plane ride soon and will need some good reading. I know I'm definitely taking the final book in the Percy Jackson series, but I will need more than that for our travels. (I should also mention that I'll be on somewhat of a "New Mama Leave" during the month of June, but Meadow will have lots of help, and I probably won't be able to stay away that long.)

So, here are some things on my book-order list so far:

*Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
*The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
*The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
*Shadow of the Sun by Laura Kreitzer

What am I missing? Any new books that I should be adding to the list? Or one of your old favorites? I'm turning the tables this week and asking for your recommendations!

P.S. You might have noticed that Twidays took a break last week. It might be taking a break lots of Fridays coming up. In fact, Meadow and I are thinking of only posting twice a week during the summer. We have a lot going on and rather than give you less-than-stellar posts, we're just going to post a little bit less. But, I'll still be here with weekly recommendations and we'll have a book-related discussion once a week too. And then if something comes up that we have to talk about, we'll just post when we want. Because we're whimsical like that. *wink*

And, don't forget our whimsical book club! Hex Hall is the book for the month, so read up and leave your thoughts in the comment box on the sidebar! The discussion will be posted on May 28th. We can't wait to hear from you!

She'll always have Perez

Okay, first, Perez Hilton can suck it. Let's get that out of the way.







*nodding* Yes, but that kinda goes without saying.







He wrote a little post about one of WF's favorite books, Shiver. In it he points out that it is being made into a movie, and that Taylor Lautner will not be playing the part of Sam. He ends it with this gem, "Besides, this sounds like it might be even stoopider than a sparkling vampire."




Oh Perez, you are so incredibly witty! *rolling my eyes*







But to get to an actual point, I've noticed that a lot of YA fantasy writers unfortunately have to face the Twilight Comparison. Granted, people who have never really read YA are most often guilty of this, but even I made a reference to Twilight in my post on Shiver (although I did say that the books aren't comparable).

In the comments, I noticed a lot of people defending Maggie Stiefvater - saying, "But this book is well-written," and encouraging the naysayers to actually read the book. (I know - crazy idea, right?) But the thing is, since Twilight has become this huge phenomena, it seems that the books and the movies have collectively become this Thing that people cannot help but compare other YA books against. People who hated Twilight think that a book about a werewolf must be terrible as well, while people who loved it will be drawn to these kinds of books like twi-fangirls to Hot Topic.


Well, it's true. Twilight did bust the "YA Paranormal Romance" genre wide open. (In fact, was that EVEN a genre before Twilight?) So, of course, every book about a mythological being is going to be measured with a Twilight-colored ruler. (In my mind it also sparkles and has copper hair, and it may drop it's pants if you turn it upside down.)

Anyway, my point is that this comparison isn't always bad. Sure, some people are turned off by Twilight and they won't rushing to buy any book that can be uttered in the same sentence. Others (*cough*me*cough*) liked Twilight but used to shy away from the YA genre. Now I have a whole new set of books that I am reading - and loving!

Besides, Maggie Stiefvater herself knows that there's no such thing as bad publicity. She tweeted about the article yesterday, saying:

Of course, since I'm a smartass, I replied:

To which SHE replied:

THAT, my friends, is the TRUE power of the internet. If they get married I totally expect an invite to the wedding.


*whispers* Meadow, you had better take me as your date. Seriously. Because meeting Maggie Stiefvater and Legolas Orlando Bloom in one night would be dreamy.





Hmm... Think they'd invite Perez?

Reading Rain-bow: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

And the winner is....

F*cking Reading Rain-bow!!!

It was close until the last hour - and then FRR pulled waaay ahead.

We decided to give a free copy of Shiver to the second place winner, @rxmeds96 AND to a random winner chosen by Random Integer...

Comment #4 on last Monday's post came from trystawhitlock.

Congratulations to rxmeds96 & trystawhitlock!
Send us an email and we'll get you both your copy of Shiver!

And now, on with our regularly scheduled post... *hangs head in defeat*....

sidebra: Each week I’ll be sharing about a book I’ve read, but I won’t be doing plot summaries or reviews. I’m basically recommending books and hoping to start discussions about them. I’ll always link to a review/synopsis for you all, if you like that sort of thing. Personally, the less I know about a book before I read it, the more I like it, but I love getting recommendations. And for that reason, I’ll also link to the person who recommended the book to me, so feel free to email me with book suggestions! I love them!


Since we are giving away the book Shiver today, I thought it appropriate that it be the first book in the F*cking Reading Rain-bow series.


Shiver was recommended to me by Ginger *nods braid at G* back when she read it on her Yosemite vacation. I believe she said, "I want to go hide from my family and read this book," which is a great recommendation, in my opinion. When I recommend this book to my friends, I thrust it in their hands and say, "Read this. You will not be sorry. Grace and Sam, I promise you, will rate up there with Bella and Edward."

The first thing I loved about Shiver was the writing. It was beautiful and lush, without being too verbose or flowery. Truly, it was always just enough at the right moment. One detail that stands out particularly is when Grace finally is able to approach her wolf. I could literally feel the wolf's fur beneath my fingertips as Grace buried her hands there. The intensity of that moment is burned in my mind forever.

Since Maggie Stiefvater has described Shiver as, "a YA novel about werewolf nookie and first love," (which is the most awesome book description ever) I'm going to assume it's safe to reveal that this book is about a werewolf and his girl. I love how Stiefvater makes up her own wolfy rules- throwing out, or adding to the generally understood myths of the werewolf. Sam's existence is not pretty - it's gritty and heartrending. But, beyond (and because of) his burden, Sam is a wonderful character. I instantly adored him. He is sincere and thoughtful, and is able to see past a person's errors when love is involved. He's no Edward, but that is what I liked about him, actually. He isn't perfect and his existence is not something one would aspire to, but he is real.

And lest you think I am going to compare every book to Twilight, be assured, I will not. But, when I finished this book I thought about it for days - and wanted to re-read it again quickly, which is just how I felt after finishing Twilight. Sam and Grace haunted me, and I found my thoughts always returning to them throughout the days following my first reading. The books and characters are not really comparable, but my feelings about them are.

And the good news? Thankfully, Maggie Stiefvater has written the sequel, Linger, which is due out July 20, 2010. *bounces in my seat* I can't wait!

And here is where I ask for your feedback. If you've read the book, what did you love/hate about Shiver? (I know you didn't hate anything about it!) How do you feel about Sam and Grace? If you haven't read it, are you planning to? And, seriously, why haven't you? *grins*

And please remember - if you're going to comment with spoilers, please give a big old ***SPOILER ALERT*** before you do so.

Links and such:

The Crooked Shelf