Welcome back to the ninth month of Calendar Girls! It’s a monthly blog event co-hosted by Flavia and myself, and designed to ignite bookish discussions among readers. Calendar Girls was inspired by the 1961 Neil Sedaka song, Calendar Girl, (because I’m an oldies fanatic. 😛) For more information, click here!
September’s Theme:
Best Contemporary Novel
I was really worried about this theme because I don’t read contemporary. Like… at all. 0.0 I just am too interested in world-building to really be dragged into contemporary novels (and they tend to be a bit mushy for me.) That being said, I was actually quite surprised that I had a couple different books to choose from. Still, the instant I remembered this one book I’d read earlier this year, everything else VANISHED from my mind. THAT’S how amazing my pick is. So without further ado… *drum roll*
LOST GIRLS
by Merrie Destefano
Just like last month’s pick, this book is DARK! Now, it’s not nearly as graphic as my historical fiction novel and is still intended for YA readers. However, it is not a light-hearted contemporary novel. It is gritty. It is dangerous. And it deals with some pretty big real-world topics. Please be advised.
That being said, I LOVE this book. I actually won this book and was the first time I ever read anything by Merrie Destefano (who is an amazing woman, by the way. She and I chat a lot now. 😎) But I love this book for more than just the darkness. Haha! I mean, come on, guys. I’m not all about the darkness. 😉
What I also really love about LOST GIRLS is… hmm… how do I put this? The uniqueness of it. The story line was unpredictable. The release of information was very well executed, which is a necessity for this plot. And this story really made me want to be in it despite just how dark and awful the events are. (I know, weird, right?) To put it simply, I gave this book 5 biohazard symbols (and if you know me, you’ll know what that means. 😉)
Have you read LOST GIRLS yet?
If you haven’t, you should!
Calendar Girls’ picks for Best Contemporary Novel!
Flavia – When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Katie – Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
Sophie – Making Faces by Amy Harmon
Thai – Pretty Face by Lucy Parker
Mandy – Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
Adrienne – The Future She Left Behind by Marin Thomas
Alex – A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman
Lauren – Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson
Deanna – A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Dawlyn & Krista – The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Melanie Noell Bernard 
I remember your BookTube review of this book, and it sounds so good! I’ll def have to read it….someday. Hahaha.
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Hahaha! I know that feeling. :p And I’m glad you remembered my video review! 😀 Hopefully other people will see it too
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This book is new to me too! I will keep an eye out for it!
Just wondering if anyone could join calendar girls? Sounds like an awesome way to connect with other bloggers 🙂
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Absolutely! Join us! 😀 All you gotta do is make a post on the first Monday of the month with your pick for that month’s theme! I have an explanation page on my blog, too. Look under ‘events’ for more information. 🙂
And you should! This book is awesome, but you might not see it in bookstores. It’s from Entangled Teen and I don’t think they stock in stores yet.
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Yes I read that page 🙂 I think I will join for next month! Also, do I have to do this every month? What if I can’t think of… say the best historical fiction novel because I don’t read any? Lol…
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Haha! Absolutely not. This is a ‘participate as much as you want’ event. 🙂 We have plenty of participants who can’t make it for that very reason or they are just very busy and don’t have time to post. And you don’t HAVE to post on the first Monday of the month. That’s just the start of posting. You can post any time during the month, too. 🙂
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Yay! That’s great! Maybe I will do a post this month! We’ll see 🙂
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Cool! Theme is contemporary! 😀
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Yes! It’s a genre that I read a lot of, which might make it easier or harder to pick a fav haha 🙂
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Hahahaha! Decided not to join this month?
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Ah! I…. forgot 😦 no real excuse there lol! I’ll see what is the topic for next month!
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Hahaha! No worries. I was super busy this month so I understand not remembering everything. 🙂 Next month is paranormal.
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Hmmm I seriously haven’t read a paranormal novel (as in, ghost stories?!) in a while haha. There is one that I’ve had my eyes on but not sure if I am reading it next month. We will see 🙂
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Hahaha! Yeah, I only came up with one book for paranormal (not a fan of the genre, to be honest.) So, it was difficult for me, too.
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So excited for best paranormal novel! I keep seeing you mentioning this one, and I really need to get on it. Looks so interesting. P.s. I really like the changes you made to the blog design. The bottom and top headers look so nice! 😀
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Hee hee! You do need to read this one! 😀 It’s sooo good.
And thank you! 😀 I’m always worried I’ll reach a point of ‘too dark’ for my readers. Hee hee!
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I got really lucky that I had read my choice from First to Read because I don’t read a lot of contemporary books either. I am excited for the next theme though!
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First to Read, you say??? Interesting. I don’t recall seeing that one there, but very nice. I also got a really good contemp from FtR. It was probably my 2nd choice for this month. :p (FtR is so hit or miss, though, I’ve found.
)
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I got it like a month ago maybe? Its the only one I have gotten so far because you are right, its kind of hit and miss.
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I’ve gotten some pretty good YA, but YA isn’t offered very often. But that’s okay because goodness knows I don’t have time for this. :p
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Lol. I am starting to get behind too. I haven’t been a member for long, so I haven’t seen many great choices.
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I’m with you on world build and on contemporary books seeming a bit mushy – I think that’s why with contemporary stuff I tend to stick to genres especially urban fantasy. I’ve never heard of this one but it sounds fascinating, I love that you go dark.
http://twobirds1blog.blogspot.ca/2017/09/calendar-girls-sep-2017-best.html
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Yessssssss best paranormal for October, I totally already know what I am choosing!!!
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Bahahaha! Please don’t be Twilight. :p I honestly don’t even know if I HAVE a pick for October. Oops!
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Oh good god no lol. Paranormal is hard because I read A BUTT TONNE of paranormal but there’s one I am super fond of right now.
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Hahaha! Cool! I’m happy to hear that. I’m worried I might have to like… forfeit next month! gasp
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Hahaha! I always go dark. :p
I’m glad someone understands my aversion to contemp. Hee hee! Though, I’m not big on urban fantasy.
Not enough good experiences with it. sigh
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Fair enough Urban fantasy can be hit or miss too but I like it haha. Kelley Armstrong’s probably my favourite.
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I’ve apparently been reading in the miss category. :p
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Never heard of her either Melanie! Now I may add it to my TBR 😉
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YAAAAS! I’ve betaread for her, too, and I LOVE her books. 😀 She writes in a lot of different genres, too. Something for everyone!
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never heard of this one, but it sounds great!! 🤗
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IT IS GREAT! 😀 I stumbled across it too by winning a giveaway and I now LOVE this author! Woo!
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whooop whooop! 🙂
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Okay, you convinced me to add this book to my TBR lol
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YAAAAS! 😀
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Ooh, I haven’t read this one! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it.
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Oh! I’ve already done my review of it! goes rummaging https://mnbernardbooks.wordpress.com/2017/01/29/review-lost-girls-by-merrie-destefano/ TA-DA! I also did a video review of it on my (deceased) Youtube channel. 🙂
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I didn’t know you had a YouTube channel. Also, I was totally confused about Calendar Girls. SMH. Flavia helped me out yesterday and explained how it all works. I’m going to try for October now that I’m starting to get my blogging more under control.
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Hahahha. Yeah… I started it back in January, but… editing and filming is very time-consuming and I wasn’t getting the engagement on it like I was hoping for. So, it is no longer in use. 😛
Ohhh? What were you confused about? I look forward to you joining in October and am glad to hear things are more under control on your blog. ☺
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It is time consuming! I just started one for author interviews, and it’s fun, but I couldn’t do it more regularly than that.
I thought you guys just did a group read. I didn’t realize you each were still doing your own post about the genre and doing a group read. Me too!
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OHHH! Woman, why you no ask more questions? I have an entire page with explanations! :p We didn’t even start a group read until like… two months ago. Hahahaha!
And yeah. I love the idea of Youtube and I love filming, but it can be expensive and time-consuming.
So sad.
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Hahaha. Well, I was planning on it when I was ready to start participating, but I’ll definitely have to check out that page later this month to get ready. 🙂
It is time consuming. My hubby edits my interviews, or there’s no way I would be able to post them. It’s far too time consuming.
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