Waiting on Wednesday (108): The Theory of Everything + Burning

Ah yes, Wednesdays. I don't have much to say, except I'm too busy for my own good. Anyway! We're going contemporary this week, so tell us what you think of our picks!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Title: The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna
Release Date: July 11th 2013
Published by: Philomel

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Summary (from Goodreads):

Sophie Sophia is obsessed with music from the late eighties. She also has an eccentric physicist father who sometimes vanishes for days and sees things other people don’t see. But when he disappears for good and Sophie’s mom moves them from Brooklyn, New York, to Havencrest, Illinois, for a fresh start, things take a turn for the weird. Sophie starts seeing things, like marching band pandas, just like her dad.

Guided by Walt, her shaman panda, and her new (human) friend named Finny, Sophie is determined to find her father and figure out her visions, once and for all. So she travels back to where it began—New York City and NYU’s physics department. As she discovers more about her dad’s research on M-theory and her father himself, Sophie opens her eyes to the world’s infinite possibilities—and her heart to love.

Why I'm waiting for The Theory of Everything:

Let me just say, that cover is so cute! How cute is that panda guy? And two other pandas! Shaman pandas! Is there even such a thing? I like how cute the cover is, I hope the story translates to that as well. They said this is for fans of Libba Bray (love her!) and The Probability of Miracles, so this book? I just can't wait to read it! It sounds funny with a little bit of a kick in the heart, so I'm so excited!

Title: Burning by Elana K. Arnold
Release Date: June 11th 2013
Published by: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

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Summary (from Goodreads):

Ben: Having just graduated from high school, Ben is set to leave Gypsum, Nevada. It's good timing since the gypsum mine that is the lifeblood of the area is closing, shutting the whole town down with it. Ben is lucky: he's headed to San Diego, where he's got a track scholarship at the University of California. But his best friends, Pete and Hog Boy, don't have college to look forward to, so to make them happy, Ben goes with them to check out the hot chick parked on the side of Highway 447.

Lala: She and her Gypsy family earn money by telling fortunes. Some customers choose Tarot cards; others have their palms read. The thousands of people attending the nearby Burning Man festival spend lots of cash--especially as Lala gives uncanny readings. But lately Lala's been questioning whether there might be more to life than her upcoming arranged marriage. And the day she reads Ben's cards is the day that everything changes for her. . . and for him.

Why I'm waiting for Burning:

I haven't read Elana's other book (Sacred) but this one I will definitely not miss. This somehow reminds me of Hooked because of that "we're too different, I'm set to fulfill my dreams and you are part of something I shouldn't associate with". Am I in for a heartbreak with this novel? Maybe, maybe not but I am so intrigued. I have a serious weakness for YA contemps with great covers like this one and that 'against all odds' sounding plot.