Waiting on Wednesday (31)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we all feature upcoming books we're eagerly anticipating.


I've altered things a little to include one book that hasn't come out yet and one that has already been published but I still haven't gotten around to reading yet.

The Orphan of Awkward Falls by Keith Graves
My Double Life by Janette Rallison


Goodreads description of The Orphan of Awkward Falls (September 28, 2011):

When thirteen-year-old Josephine moves to Awkward Falls she can't help but snoop around the dilapidated mansion next door. She finds a little more than she bargained for when she is captured by the strange characters who live there: an ancient automaton who serves as a butler, a cat patched together with a few odd parts, and most surprising of all, a boy named Thaddeus Hibble.

Meanwhile, the most feared patient in the Asylum for the Dangerously Insane is on the loose. Fetid Stenchley has escaped in the most dramatic fashion, and there is only one thing on his mind...revenge. Unfortunately for Thaddeus and Josephine, he's headed their way. Can these unlikely friends stop Stenchley before he destroys them all?

Full of hilariously spooky details, surprising twists, and haunting black and white illustrations, Keith Graves delivers a suspenseful and engaging first novel. Inspired by the classic tales of Frankenstein and mad scientists, with a splash of contemporary technology, the wonderfully tense action and gory descriptions will hook boys from the start, while Josephine provides a clever and unique heroine that girls will adore.

Why I want to read it:

It's a Gothic middle grade story that sounds spooky and exciting. I'm curious to see how much inspiration it draws from Frankenstein (another book I love).

Product description of My Double Life (May 13, 2010):

Her whole life, Alexia Garcia has been told that she looks just like pop star Kari Kingsley, and one day when Alexia's photo filters through the Internet, she's offered a job to be Kari's double. This would seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but Alexia's mother has always warned her against celebrities.

Rebelliously, Alexia flies off to L.A. and gets immersed in a celebrity life. Not only does she have to get used to getting anything she wants, she romances the hottest lead singer on the charts, and finds out that her own father is a singing legend. Through it all, Alexia must stay true to herself, which is hard to do when you are pretending to be somebody else!

Why I want to read it:

I know it's not a very original story anymore, but I have a weakness for these star/normal girl swapping stories. There's just something about stepping into the life of someone else that I like. It's a fun mental exercise that always gets me wondering what would *I* do? Usually there's also some fun scenes where the MC messes up and has to cover up the fact that she isn't who everyone thinks she is. Plus, it's Janette Rallison, queen of the light and sweet romantic comedies.

Have any of you read either of these books? Would you recommend them? 

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