August 18, 2014

Alexa & Judith's Epic Summer Read-Along

Today is the start of two weeks of pure fun as I, along with my blogger BFF Judith of Paperiot, am kicking off Alexa & Judith's Epic Summer Read-along! It's my first official collaboration with Judith, which is very exciting, and it was brought about by our mutual love of one author: Morgan Matson. Yes, we're MM fangirls and we're taking these two weeks as an opportunity to celebrate her three novels: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, Second Chance Summer and Since You've Been Gone!

What can you expect from us this week? Well, we'll be doing fun themed posts for each of the books (seriously, they were such a riot to brainstorm)! We'll also be reading Morgan's novels (no pressure!), so feel free to jump in, chat & fangirl with us using the hashtag #EpicSummerRA on Twitter.

And now, here's a little bit about Morgan Matson's books!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: May 4, 2010

Summary: 

Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. 

Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

Excerpt from my review:

Honestly, I've been trying to type this "review" for what feels like weeks now. I literally just want to go, "I loved this book and I think everyone should read it!" Because that is exactly how I felt about Amy & Roger's Epic Detour - it was a book that I loved from start to finish, and that I would definitely want to share with just about every reader on the planet.


Second Chance Summer Morgan Matson book cover
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: May 8, 2012

Summary:

Taylor Edwards and her family are headed to the Pocono Mountains to spend one last summer together after her father receives some life-changing news. As they return to a place last visited in her childhood, Taylor discovers that sometimes, there's just enough time to get a second chance... in life and in love.

Excerpt from my review

This book is absolute perfection, at least in my eyes. It features everything I could ever want in a YA novel - a beautiful setting, a tight-knit family unit, a sweet boy-next-door and a story that touched my heart. 


Since You've Been Gone - Morgan Matson
Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Summary: 

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.

But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find? 

Excerpt from my review:

You know the satisfaction that comes after having a three scoop ice cone (coffee, chocolate chocolate chip and cookies and cream with rainbow sprinkles as a special treat for me) on a hot summer day?That is precisely how I felt reading Since You've Been Gone.

I'm so, so excited to be diving back into Morgan's incredible stories, with characters that come to life and stories that feel so relatable on an emotional level. I hope you'll join me & Judith in celebrating the wonderfulness that is Morgan Matson and her books in the next two weeks!

1 Comments:

  1. YAY! I loooovvved Amy & Roger, am currently reading Since You've Been Gone, and have Second Chance Summer on my shelf! Wee!

    ReplyDelete

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