Frank MorelliBesprekingen

Mystery mixes with school drama, journalistic misuse, and odd forming friendships to create an exciting read, which keeps those brain-gears turning until the last page.

Anthony is an editor for Roar, the school newspaper, and knows there are ill-feelings among the newspapers ranks. When a teacher announces that a $1000 has gone missing from a fundraiser, of course, he's ready to report. What he doesn't expect is for Liberty, a girl who had some running in with the main editor, to start up her own indie-paper and report things as she sees it. As new clues pop up and tensions between clubs soar, the rivalry between the two grows.

The author has done a marvelous job at crafting a gripping, well-woven tale, which hits on several important themes and leaves food for thought. The tale isn't written in a traditional form, but follows the articles, notes, and happenings of the two editors and an investigative reporter. This switch between notes, recordings, personal thoughts, and articles gives an original atmosphere and delivers exactly the information needed at the right time. But it also does so much more than that.

I was surprised how well the characters are done. Each one involved gains quite a bit of depth and personality. As the mud-slinging starts, it's clear that the two editors are letting emotions dribble in more and more. The thoughts behind each ones' behaviors are understandable, and yet, it's clear that each one is making some mistakes. Add that with the mystery, and there's quite a bit going on.

There are several messages wrapped up in these pages. One, is how friendship can be formed under even the most unexpected circumstances. There's also the lesson of controlling tempers and watching words. Then, there's the problem of the editors using the papers to push their own views...which does get out of control. But none of this comes across as preachy. Rather, every moment lets emotions rolls, while the reader tries to figure out who might be behind the missing money. It's definitely an engaging ready, which doesn't leave any time for boredom, and keeps the tale flowing until the very end.

adult/young adult. Coming-of-age bildungsroman after suddenly losing both parents and becoming the sole caregiver of Alzheimer's-stricken, WWII-vet grandfather (early 1990s Philadelphia, Italian-American main character with diverse friends).
With its tragicomic storyline that feels all too horrifyingly real, No Sad Songs could probably become a modern classic if only more people knew about it.

Digging deep into the soul and emotions of the main character, this book takes a journey which leads to more than might be first expected.

Cordell's life has been unsettled since his brother, Travis, left him and his father alone. Cordell isn't sure how to regain balance, and his father isn't exactly helpful in the matter. But one thing is for sure, Cordell has not lost is love for music. When his father falls ill and everything in Cordell's life seems to unravel, he decides it's time to bring Travis back. But that's not an easy task, especially when Cordell doesn't have much backing to start with. When he does find Travis, he, of course, doesn't want to return. But the struggle to convince his brother to come back isn't the only problem Cordell faces, he's beginning to wonder if he himself might be slipping into a bad place.

This is not the type of read I usually dive into, but I do love taking a jaunt into new directions, at times. This book is deep and digs into all sorts of questions about family, purpose, and finding ones place in life...and with themselves. I did appreciate that this one centers around Jazz, a very original direction especially for this age group. It also addresses some very tough family circumstances, something many teens have to deal with in some form or another. There is a lot readers can sympathize with, and it does open them up for thought.

The writing style is a very, personal one, which allows the reader not only to accompany Cordell on his journey, but has him almost speaking to the reader directly and allowing them to know his exact thoughts and feelings the entire way through. Despite this very up-close approach, the author doesn't allow the other characters to fall by the wayside but gives them depth and purpose. Most are more than intriguing to meet and leave their own impact.

Readers who love to dig deeper into the world around them, thought process, discovering more to life or simply enjoy tons of character depth are going to appreciate this one quite a bit.

I received an ARC and found the characters very compelling.

"Grandpa used to be the one to make demands of me. Now he’s almost completely gone. His brain is, anyway. His body’s as strong as the day he stormed the beach at Normandy. Maybe stronger."

Gabe LoScuda is no ordinary 18-year-old. After his parents die in a car accident, he’s the caretaker of his eighty-year-old grandfather who has Alzheimer’s, and he’s also the “babysitter” of his estranged Uncle Nick, or as his dad put it, “that drunken, good-for-nothing loser kid brother of mine”. Don’t fret. Gabe has a support system. His best friend John “the Asian Michael Jackson” and his new friend and tatoo artist, Sofia Flores, who "is pretty in her own way, but she likes to poke holes in herself”.

As Gabe tries to get his life in order by getting a new job and trying to keep his head above water, another tragedy happens where a little boy down the street is injured by a hit and run driver. And Gabe’s car was identified at the scene of the crime.

See my complete review at The Eclectic Review

I wanted to share a few thoughts here on my debut novel and the motivating factors that ultimately drove me to write it. The Alzheimer's Association estimates almost a quarter of a million people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia in the next year alone. Currently, more than five million people are living with Alzheimer's and, by 2050, this number could grow to over sixteen million. Alzheimer's disease is actually the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. But it's the only cause of death among the top ten in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. In fact, one out of every three seniors dies with some form of Alzheimer's or dementia.

What many fail to recognize is how their family members (the caretakers) may also have their lives derailed by the disease. Right now, more than fifteen million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias.

I hope young readers will finish No Sad Songs with a new respect for what it takes to be a caregiver, and an understanding of how intertwined these duties become in the lives of people fighting on the front lines of a growing health dilemma that is rapidly approaching epidemic levels. And I want them to be inspired to become champions in the fight against this terrible disease so that future generations will never have to watch their loved ones disappear right before their eyes.