You Ought To Know: June 2012 Edition

While Cait and I spend a lot of time reviewing big-name books from the big publishers, we’re always on the look-out for books that are self-published or come from indie or small publishers.  We purchase most of these ourselves in search of a hidden gem we can bring you for our Indie Friday feature and at the end of the month, we present the best of the best.  There are only so many books we can review though and we find quite a few we’ve read during the month that belong in the spotlight, so we have to say:

We hope you’ll chime in and let us know of an author or book you’ve read that blew you away or is your new addiction that you want people to know about.  Tell us in the comment section!

The Boy Who Sneaks in My Window
By Kirsty Mosely
Published by Createspace
Publication Date: April 30, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Realistic Contemporary

Amber Walker and her older brother, Jake, have an abusive father. One night her brother’s best friend, Liam, sees her crying and climbs through her bedroom window to comfort her. That one action….Read more at Goodreads

This book was a complete impulse buy from one of those annoying recommendation lists that I can never avoid on Amazon. I’m SO happy that I bought this! The love story was so sweet and epic, and best of all.. it had an epilogue!

Residue
By Laury Falter
Self Pub
Publication Date: April 13, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

When sixteen-year-old Jocelyn Weatherford is whisked away from a preparatory academy in upstate New York to live with her extended family in New Orleans, she is unprepared to encounter the dangers awaiting her. Yet even as she is thrust into an unfamiliar world of witches….Read more at Goodreads

I LOVED this spin on the classic Romeo and Juliet story. I really enjoyed both the characters and the world that Falter gave us in this book. I can’t wait to read more!

What a Boy Needs
By Nyrae Dawn
Self Pub
Publication Date: June 2012
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

A companion novel to WHAT A BOY WANTS.

Jaden Sinclair knows he’ll never amount to anything…so why would he deserve a girl like Priscilla Mendoza?

Since last summer, things have been screwed up between Jaden and Pris. He knows it’s his fault, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to go a few rounds with her new boyfriend. He also knows he’s the loser his dad calls him….Read more at Goodreads

After Barbara’s glowing review of What a Boy Wants, I knew that I had to read both books before I could keep on livin’. (;-)) The couple in WaBN was a bit more tortured and angsty than in the first book, but I wasn’t bothered by it a bit. I also thought the author did a great job of writing both books from the hero’s POV, and making the voice different in each one. Highly recommend!

Point of Retreat (Slammed #2)
By Colleen Hoover
Self Pub
Published: February 25, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Hardships and heartache brought them together…now it will tear them apart.

Layken and Will have proved their love can get them through anything; until someone from Will’s past re-emerges, leaving Layken questioning the very foundation on which their relationship was built. Read more at Goodreads

I thoroughly enjoyed this follow-up novel to Slammed. Will and Layken were bound to run into a few issues in their relationship because they met in such a tumultuous time of their lives. The series wouldn’t have been complete without Hoover addressing these issues in PoR. Book books were short and sweet and you can read it in just a few hours. Definitely take time to read both Slammed and PoR soon!

Slammed
By Colleen Hoover
Self Pub
Published: January 1, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she’s losing hope.

Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry….Read more at Goodreads

I heard this was good but “good” is a pale, pale word for it. It’s brilliant and thank heavens there’s a sequel available now and Will’s story is in the works. I have a new appreciation for slam poetry and guys that do it (rawr)! ~Barbara

What she said! ~Cait

Easy
By Tammara Webber
Self Pub
Publication Date: May 25, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, stalked by her ex’s frat brother, and failing a class….Read more at Goodreads

I already know this is going to be one of my favorite books of the year, it’s that good. I love the way Webber recreates college life, her dialogue and sexy, smart, flawed heroes. She’s absolutely an author to watch.

Snapshot
By Angie Stanton
Publisher: Vanguard Management
Publication Date: June 15, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Marti Hunter hates rockers and anything remotely related to the rock-and-roll lifestyle. She thought she’d left that all behind, along with her drug-addicted mother and absent-minded rock legend father. Now she lives with her grandmother, and Marti’s life is finally normal. Just the way she likes it.

For Adam Jamieson, normal is not possible. He is the genius guitar player of the band Jamieson. He’s ecstatic to finally get a two-week break….Read more at Goodreads

This is going to be a weird backhanded recommendation. Snapshot wasn’t totally for me but I think it may really appeal to a lot of other people. It’s a very clean YA in a fresh, youthful sense – a little too youthful for me, but I think this series (the first book Rock and a Hard Place, about another Jamieson brother, was pretty much the same) could still appeal to other people.