Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Focused & Night Music


Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I can't wait for 
Focused & Night Music !
Focused
Alyson Gerber
Age/Genre: Middle Grades, Contemporary
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: March 26, 2019
Goodreads
Following Braced, which had three starred reviews, comes a story of a girl caught between her love of chess and her ADHD.

Clea can't control her thoughts. She knows she has to do her homework . . . but she gets distracted. She knows she can't just say whatever thought comes into her head . . . but sometimes she can't help herself. She know she needs to focus . . . but how can she do that when the people around her are always chewing gum loudly or making other annoying noises?

It's starting to be a problem—not just in school, but when Clea's playing chess or just hanging out with her best friend. Other kids are starting to notice. When Clea fails one too many tests, her parents take her to be tested, and she finds out that she has ADHD, which means her attention is all over the place instead of where it needs to be.

Clea knows life can't continue the way it's been going. She's just not sure how you can fix a problem that's all in your head. But that's what she's going to have to do, to find a way to focus.

In a starred review, Booklist called Alyson Gerber's first novel, Braced, "a masterfully constructed and highly empathetic debut about a different kind of acceptance.” With Focused, she explores even further how, when life gives you a challenge, the best way to face it is with an open mind, an open heart, and the open support of the people around you.
Why I want to read this book

I absolutely LOVED Gerber's previous book, Braced, and was really excited when I saw she had a new book coming out. I thought she did a beautiful job helping us understand the challenges the Braced protagonist was dealing with, and I feel like she will tackle Clea's ADHD with the same care and candor.


Night Music
Jenn Marie Thorne
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Dial Books
Release Date: March 19, 2019
Goodreads
A romantic comedy that sweeps you up with breezy writing and canny social commentary, set behind the scenes of the classical music world during one hot, anything-can-happen, New York City summer

Ruby has always been Ruby Chertok future classical pianist, heir to the Chertok family legacy, daughter of renowned composer Martin Chertok. But after bungling her audition for the prestigious Amberley School of Music--where her father is on faculty--Ruby is suddenly just . . . Ruby. And who is that again? All she knows is that she wants out of the orbit of her relentlessly impressive family, and away from the world of classical music for good. Yes? Yes.

Oscar is a wunderkind, a musical genius. Just ask any of the 1.8 million people who've watched him conduct his own compositions on YouTube--or hey, just ask Oscar. But while he might be the type who'd name himself when asked about his favorite composer and somehow make you love him more for it, Oscar is not the type to jeopardize his chance to study under the great Martin Chertok--not for a crush. He's all too aware of how the ultra-privileged, ultra-white world of classical music might interpret a black guy like him falling for his benefactor's white daughter. Right? Right.

But as the New York City summer heats up, so does the spark between Ruby and Oscar. Soon their connection crackles with the same alive, uncontainable energy as the city itself. But can two people still figuring themselves out figure out how to be together? Or will the world make the choice for them?
Why I want to read this book

They had me at rom-com. Seriously, I have a love for rom-coms, that knows no bounds, and am excited to see more and more of them lately. It's also set in my hometown, which always seems to delight me, and from the synopsis, it sounds like not only does the author bring humor to this romance, but also incorporates issues of substance.
What are you waiting on?
Let us know in the comments!

32 comments:

  1. Focused sounds wonderful! Speaking of rom-coms, have you seen the trailer for Isn't it Romantic? I want to see it so much!

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    1. That movie looks hilarious, but, I mean, when is Rebel Wilson NOT hilarious?

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  2. Night Music sounds like a perfect read! I really enjoy books that feature music. Definitely one to add to my TBR. Thanks for sharing it! :)

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    1. I love any books that feature people, who are fiercely passionate and dedicated to something, and that something being music is a plus for me.

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  3. Both these titles sound great, Sam! I hope they live up to your expectations. :) I was really eager for Free by Kristen Ashley, which released in January. And it was awesome!

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    1. I am ashamed to call myself a romance reader and admit that I have yet to read something from Kristen Ashley.

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  4. Focused sounds cute! I used to read a lot more contemporary when I was younger and it sounds like one I would have loved!

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    1. I seem to go through cycles. I read a lot of fantasy as kid, contemporaries as a teen, and when I started pleasure reading again, I was reading my daughter's books so fantasy, paranormals, and dystopians. But, my sweet spot is contemporary, and there never seems to be a shortage of great ones out there.

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  5. I hope you enjoy them and thanks for sharing.
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. I hope I can get a review copy or my library gets them so I can read them.

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  6. Focused sounds soooo good. I haven't read Braced, so I'll have to check it out too.

    Ash @ JennRenee Read

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    1. I really, really enjoyed Braced. If you like middle grades, it's a wonderful book.

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  7. Focused sounds like such a timely book, there are so many kids out there that are dealing with ADHD.

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    1. The author did such a great job with scoliosis, I feel like she will tackle ADHD with the same sort of sensitivity.

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  8. Oh yes, a nice rom com book, I have been craving those during the winter.

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    1. I have a bunch of adult rom-coms, but I can never find enough of that in YA, so, I'm excited.

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  9. Ahh, these both sound good. Focused sounds really good as my daughter has ADHD. I will have to add these to my TBR list. I hope you get a chance to grab them!

    Mary

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    1. I actually got an approval last night for Focused, so YEAH!

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  10. Both of these sound great. I really like the NYC summer setting for Night Music.

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    1. I grew in NYC, so I always love a book set in the city.

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  11. Both of these sound fun and are new authors for me. I like the covers too.

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    1. I have had Thorne on my radar for a while, but have yet to read any of her work. Hopefully, this will be my first.

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  12. And now I can't wait to read your reviews! Sophie @bewareofthereader

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    1. I just got approved for Focused, so keep a look out for that one.

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  13. These both sound really good! I like that FOCUSED deals with ADHD. So many people have the condition that it's always good to understand more about it so that those of us who don't can be more educated and empathetic.

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    1. ADHD definitely affects many people's lives, and I am confident that Gerber will do a wonderful job with it.

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  14. Set in your hometown!? That's awesome!!!! I would love to read a book that takes place that close to me!!! Rom Coms are the best reads. I love some humor with my steam <3

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    1. I grew up in NY, so there are a LOT of books set in my "hometown". I did get close to where I live now with My So-Called Bollywood Life though, which was even more exciting, since Iselin is by no means at the level of NYC.

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  15. I hadn't heard of Braced before but Night Music is on my wishlist!! That sounds like it is going to be amazing and I am so intrigued to see where that storyline is going to go.

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    1. I saw a RT & Follow giveaway on Twitter from the author. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get lucky and win Night Music, since the publisher already rejected me on EW.

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  16. I haven't heard about these books before, but Night Music sounds really, really good! Thank you for sharing these! :D

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    1. I am super excited about both, and I think Night Music sounds like YA perfection

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